Field reports: DNR issues reminder about temporary trail closures

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a reminder last week for state forest and off-
highway vehicle trail users to check for temporary closures because of wet conditions.
“The spring thaw leads to soft soils, which may be susceptible to damage,” Scott Kelling, northeast regional manager for the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division, said in a news release. “Temporary closures are being put in place across the state.”
The DNR posts signs indicating temporary road and trail closures at entry points and at parking lots in state forests. The restrictions are lifted as soon as conditions improve.
“We will work to let users know when and where they can ride,” said Dave Thomas, northwest regional manager for the DNR’s Forestry Division. “In turn, we ask users to check before riding to avoid areas that are temporarily closed, and to ride responsibly wherever they are.”
For information about the condition of specific state forest roads and public off-highway vehicle trails, visit the DNR’s current conditions website at dnr.state.mn.us/trail
conditions/index.html. Updates also are available from the DNR Information Center by calling (888) 646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Frog and toad survey volunteers sought
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife Program is seeking volunteers to participate in a frog and toad calling survey to help track population changes in the state’s 14 frog and toad species.
Frogs and toads are one of the best indicators of wetland health, said volunteer program coordinator Heidi Cyr.
Volunteers receive a kit that includes a CD containing calls of Minnesota’s frog and toad species, a poster of the state’s frogs and toads, a map of a pre-defined route in an area of their choice and directions on how to travel the route. Participants then will conduct “listening surveys” on three nights between April and July to capture seasonal variations in frog and toad species in early spring, late spring and summer. The 10-stop routes are run after dark and in good weather. Participants will record their information on datasheets provided in their volunteer kit.
For more information, including a link to a route availability map, go to dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/frogtoad_survey/index.html.
Forum News Service contributed to this report.