Last week we had the fortune to walk the trails with retired forest experts who have over 120 combined years working with forestry, wildlife, policy and ecology. Two of these folks each have well over 20 years experience in old growth forest evaluation and certification. They confirmed that the area of the proposed harvest function as a "Type 2 Old Growth" complex. It's important to note that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification requires the DNR to adhere to standards which state “On public lands, old-growth is protected from harvesting…” It was also apparent that the old growth sections, especially on rocky knobs and ridges, where soil is thin, and canopy is nicely open, pine regeneration is naturally occurring very well on it's own. Following our hike, we met with the local DNR foresters to again walk the land and hear their current assessment and plan. Many of the claims that a harvest would "improve forest health", "improve wildlife habitat", "protect adjacent old growth" or "promote forest diversity to allow the forest to better adapt to climate change" were not able to be supported. Yet they still plan to push forward. We will be providing the expert advice to the local DNR foresters and the leadership at the DNR next week, and we want them to know that our concerned citizens are educated and aware. Your signatures and comments are invaluable as a part of the process. They need to know we are paying attention! Please continue to share this petition and add comments, and please take a minute to call or write Governor Dayton: https://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/ or DNR commissioner Tom Landwehr: tom.landwehr@state.mn.us Thank you for speaking up for this beautiful old growth forest.