A new article published in the Minnesota Daily provides updates on the University of Minnesota's intention to return the Cloquet Forestry Center (CFC) property to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Agreed upon in principle, the deal still needs state legislative approval to move forward. (This deal does not negatively impact UMN research and classes taught at the CFC. Learn more by reading the University's FAQ on intentions for Cloquet Forestry Center.)
Although the process, which began in 2023, is not yet finalized, it has created invaluable opportunities for the University to improve relations with the Fond du Lac Band – and also build toward the future of forestry education. “This is where forestry is going in the 21st century now,” Forest Resources Associate Professor Michael Dockry told Minnesota Daily reporter Nicholas Scibelli. “How do you build close partnerships with Tribes, and how do you work with Tribes? How do you understand Tribal perspectives and goals for land management? How do you work together? This is everything we’re doing at Cloquet in this land back process.”
Read the full article on the Minnesota Daily website: "Collaboration with the Fond du Lac Band continues as deal to return land inches forward."