Forests, streams, and wetlands are the framework of Duluth's green infrastructure. There are over 20,000 acres of forested land within the Duluth city limits, and approximately thirty streams flow through the City. Because Duluth has such a wealth of natural resources, many details remain to be discovered about these forest and wetland areas. Also, a forest inventory is key information for the City’s Comprehensive Plan. This forest inventory, along with the wetlands mapping, will be important tools to help residents, developers, city staff, and elected official make ecologically sound decisions and policies.

This project originated from a citizen-driven group working in partnership with representatives of city boards and commissions, city departments, state agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

Duluth's initial contemporary forest inventory was started in 1999 with a small grant from the Minnesota DNR ReLeaf program. That DNR grant made it possible to inventory many of the largest parcels of publicly owned forest with the city. This project, which completed the inventory for the rest of the city forested areas, was made possible in part by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Waters Division and Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program through the Coastal Zone Management Act, administered through the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Additional funds were provided by the City of Duluth.

Why Are Forests Important?