Throughout Minnesota, women are increasingly responsible for the stewardship of private forestlands.  In 2010, the Minnesota Women’s Woodland Network (MN WWN) was formed.  It is a dynamic and informative program that teaches women how to effectively care for and enhance their private forest land.  Through this program, participants learn about conservation stewardship and the value of their private forestlands.  As a result, this program instills in women a sense of confidence in their abilities to meet the challenges that come with being a forest landowner. 

On May 16, 2012 the MN WWN planned an evening Tree Walk in Cook, MN at Camp Vermilion.  Julie Miedkte, University of Minnesota Extension Forester and Marge Sella, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist served as hosts for this event and engaged the participants in an evening of learning, fun and time in the woods.   Close to 20 landowners attended this event.  After some brief introductions and networking, the participants took an evening tree walk on the property of Camp Vermilion. 

Once a Boys Camp, Camp Vermilion was purchased in 1958 to serve the members and guests of the American Lutheran Church and now is part of Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry serving 81 member congregations of the Northeast Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  The site encompasses over 368 acres pine, spruce and mixed deciduous forests and is located on the south shore of Lake Vermilion. Camp Vermilion served as the backdrop for the MN WWN members to learn more about forestry management.   In 1999 Camp Vermilion lost several trees from a wind storm.   United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), partnered with the Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the North St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District to provide technical and financial assistance to the Camp through the Forest Stewardship Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).    

Through these programs Camp Vermilion was able to organize the improvement of its forest resources.  The blowdown spurred the VLM Board into action and a Forest Stewardship Plan was developed.  Following their plan the fallen trees were harvested. After the harvest Camp Vermilion began the rigorous work of planting trees and protecting the trees from the deer by using bud caps.  Additionally, the Camp has implemented Firewise practices near cabins and other infrastructures and is currently working to release the trees from competing vegetation. 

All of these improvements have created an opportunity for Camp Vermilion to showcase its forest stewardship results.  The evening walk in the forest at Camp Vermilion furthered the MN WWN’s member’s knowledge of forestry and what can be done to keep land healthy for future generations.

Miedkte said that numerous studies have been done over the last few years pertaining to women owning land and forest resources.  She said that there is a need for women to connect further with the land and resource information. The MN WWN is part of a national movement reaching out to an underserved audience.  This movement has recently developed a national website:  http://www.womenowningwoodlands.net/ to do just that. MN WWN Program goals are to provide networking opportunities for women landowners to learn from and support each other; foster a learning environment that encourages women to participate in woodland management education; connect women with resources and professionals; and to develop recognition of the important role of women as woodland owners in Minnesota.   In 2010 when the MN WWN was launched a total of 89 people joined the network.  By the end of 2011 the number involved in the MN WWN exceeded 300 people.

If you are interested in learning more about MN WWN please contact Julie Miedtke, Extension Forester at (218)-327-7365 or via email at miedt001@umn.edu or Marge Sella, District Conservationist, USDA-NRCS at (218)-741-3937 or via email at marge.sella@mn.usda.gov

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