Minnesota’s climate is shifting. Our forests are getting warmer and wetter, changing the habitat suitability for species in regions across the state.
Climate scientists with the USDA Forest Service have identified a number of species with the potential to migrate into new ranges as the climate continues to change. In continuation of this project from 2024, we are asking volunteers to become Tree Trackers to help find, identify and report these trees to iNaturalist. Follow the steps below to join the project.
Note: Volunteers who have planted any of these trees in their yards or landscapes can opt to join the Tree Steward Journal project to help researchers fill in vital knowledge gaps about the survival, health and ecological interactions of climate migrant trees. Visit the Tree Steward Journal project webpage to learn how you can help.
The tree species that may have new habitat potential in Minnesota's future climate vary by ecoregion. Find the list of trees with migration potential for your region and learn how to identify them. If you need a little help telling oaks and hickories apart to species, especially those new to Minnesota, check out some great resources here.
To learn more about the Climate-Ready Woodlands project visit this website.
Watch this 1:24 minute video to learn how to report to iNaturalist.
If the tree is tended, like in a yard or park, please click the "It is captive or cultivated" choice in the iNaturalist report. We are most interested in migration potential tree observations in where they are new-to-region.