The Turtle Mountain region of North Dakota contains a significant concentration of the State’s upland forests and is identified as a Priority Area in the 2020 Forest Action Plan. The Turtle Mountain aspen-birch forest currently consists of an overstory mix of aspen, birch, green ash, boxelder, bur oak, and balsam poplar. Before European settlement, the woody vegetation in the region was indicative of a forest system that was adapted to fires which created patchwork disturbances, maintaining a vigorous forest system. These disturbances created new growth resulting in diversity in age classes which helped reduce the spread of pest and diseases that typically attack overly mature stands. Without disturbance, as the aspen overstory succumbs to disease, these forests are in danger of converting to a forested shrub land.

Through the Aspen Regeneration Project, NDFS will work with private landowners in the Turtle Mountain region to use mechanical treatments to mimic natural disturbance, and restore declining aspen forest.

 Visit our Youtube video on Turtle Mountain Forest Resources and these Before-and-After photos!

Project Activities

• Provide Forest Stewardship Plans to landowners within the Project Boundary, prioritizing improvement practices that encourage aspen regeneration.
• Demonstrate mechanical treatment techniques that mimic natural disturbance patterns.
• Provide cost-share incentives to encourage landowner participation.
• Provide training and equipment to private contractors to perform these services.

To learn more about the program, click here.

If you have Questions please contact:

Cody Clemenson, Forest Stewardship Specialist
(701) 228-5490
Cody.S.Clemenson@ndsu.edu