The Minnesota Land Trust and Northern Waters Land Trust partnered to protect a portion of the land surrounding the historic 3M retreat center on Big Mantrap Lake in Hubbard County. This conservation achievement ensures that approximately 449 acres of ecologically significant land and over six miles of shoreline will be permanently safeguarded for future generations. 

Mantrap Lake is a designated Lake of Outstanding Biological Significance known for its wild rice habitat, pristine water quality, and vital fish and bird populations. It spans 1,618 acres and reaches a depth of 68 feet. Home to loons, muskie, northern pike, bass, and black crappie, the lake and surrounding lands are an important sanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife. 

Partners’ Multi-Year Effort Pays Off

This resounding conservation success is the result of a multi-year effort that began when 3M announced the sale of the property in April 2023. Recognizing its ecological importance, Northern Waters Land Trust, Minnesota Land Trust, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Conservation Fund, and Trust for Public Land came together to explore protection strategies and to collectively work to complete the project.  

In May 2023, these partner organizations submitted a letter of intent to 3M, initiating a complex negotiation process that would take nearly two years to finalize. Ultimately, 449 acres of undeveloped land was purchased in March 2025 by Northern Waters Land Trust and Minnesota Land Trust, with the help of the Department of Natural Resources. This project was funded through the state’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, as a part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, with a matching contribution of Federal funding through the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project. 

This is an incredible conservation outcome for the state of Minnesota and especially the communities near Mantrap Lake and the greater Big Sand Watershed.

Big Sand Watershed Closer to 75% Protection

Protecting at least 75% of the land around a lake or river is crucial for maintaining its long-term health, water quality, and ecological balance. When too much land in a watershed is developed or farmed, runoff and pollution increase and the sensitive balance of aquatic ecosystems is disrupted, which can result in algae overgrowth, dead zones, and water that isn’t suitable for swimming, paddling, or fishing.  

Adding these 449 protected acres puts the Big Sand Watershed within 10% of reaching its 75% protection goal, a milestone that will further safeguard the region’s abundant fisheries and thriving ecosystems.  

“This project really exemplifies the power of forward-thinking land protection strategies,” said Ruurd Schoolderman, Program Manager at the Minnesota Land Trust. “With this acquisition, we are safeguarding an extraordinary landscape that will provide clean water, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities for generations to come.”

Future Public Access and Broader Conservation Benefits for Minnesota

The land—which was originally acquired by 3M in 1955—will eventually be conveyed to the Minnesota DNR and open to the public. The new Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be accessible to the public for outdoor recreation like hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. 

“Protecting this property means securing a future where more people can enjoy the beauty of Mantrap Lake while ensuring that critical habitats remain intact,” said Annie Knight, Executive Director of Northern Waters Land Trust.” 

Ongoing conservation efforts like this are vital especially as pressures on natural lands and water intensify across Minnesota. Once natural habitat is parceled and developed, it can no longer filter and protect water, prevent flooding and runoff, or sustain the species biodiversity at the heart of thriving ecosystems. In fact, often these ecological benefits are significantly diminished or lost permanently.  

“Now more than ever, local land protection programs are critical to ensuring the long-term health of our landscapes,” said Wayne Ostlie, Director of Land Protection at the Minnesota Land Trust. “With so much uncertainty surrounding federal conservation programs, it is up to all of us to champion conservation at the state and local level.”

Landowners Are Part of the 75% Solution

Landowners in the Big Sand Watershed can continue to play a key role in helping reach the 75% protection goal and preserving water quality, wildlife habitat, and the natural heritage of Northern Minnesota. Landowners with over 40 acres of natural land should contact us to learn more about grant funded protection programs as there may be tax advantages or financial incentives available.

This project was made possible with funding from Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC), with Federal funding through the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project, and by supporters of the Minnesota Land Trust and Northern Waters Land Trust. 

More Protection Stories from Northern Minnesota

• 
  Historic 3M Land on Mantrap Lake Protected for Conservation and Public Access
  The Minnesota Land Trust and Northern Waters Land Trust partnered to protect a portion of the land surrounding the historic 3M retreat center on Big Mantrap Lake in Hubbard County. This conservation achievement ensures that approximately 449 acres of ecologically significant land and over six miles of shoreline will be… Read more: Historic 3M Land on Mantrap Lake Protected for Conservation and Public Access
• 
  Partnership Protects Bad Axe Lake, Northern Minnesota Fisheries
  SAINT PAUL, Minn, April 26, 2023 — Together, the Minnesota Land Trust and the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts of America have permanently protected a portion of Boy Scout Camp Wilderness, including over 3,600 feet of natural shoreline on Bad Axe Lake and 219 acres of land and… Read more: Partnership Protects Bad Axe Lake, Northern Minnesota Fisheries
• 
  Protecting Pancake Lake in the Mississippi Headwaters
  The Minnesota Land Trust has protected beautiful, undeveloped Pancake Lake in Cass County, MN, and a portion of Boy River, which connects seven deep, tullibee-supporting cold water lakes in the Mississippi Headwaters region of Minnesota. Pancake Lake is surrounded by 222 acres of undeveloped hardwood forest and wetlands, including forested… Read more: Protecting Pancake Lake in the Mississippi Headwaters
• 
  Protecting the Outdoors for Future Generations—YMCA Camp Olson
    When E.O. Olson donated the land near Longville that would become YMCA Camp Olson in 1954, he inscribed these words on the dedication plaque: “One man may not live to see his dreams come true, but his institutions carry on. We hope the Young Man’s Christian Association will preserve… Read more: Protecting the Outdoors for Future Generations—YMCA Camp Olson
• 
  A Link Between Fish and Forest
  It’s prophetic, in a way, that Candace Gouze’s birthday falls on Earth Day. After all, she’s led her family’s extraordinary efforts to protect their own little piece of the earth on Washburn Lake in Cass County. Over time, little by little, bit by bit they’ve acquired property around their family… Read more: A Link Between Fish and Forest

SAINT PAUL, Minn, April 26, 2023 — Together, the Minnesota Land Trust and the Northern Lights Council of the Boy Scouts of America have permanently protected a portion of Boy Scout Camp Wilderness, including over 3,600 feet of natural shoreline on Bad Axe Lake and 219 acres of land and water near Park Rapids, Minnesota.  

Conserving this important landscape preserves high-quality habitat that supports a diverse population of plant and animal species including the ecologically critical tullibee (aka “cisco”) in Bad Axe Lake and downstream Tullibee Refuge Lakes. 

Permanently protecting this portion of Camp Wilderness, situated on the shores of Bad Axe Lake, also ensures that immersive nature adventures remain accessible to youth for years to come, critical in a region of Minnesota that is losing more of its undeveloped and sensitive shorelands to the construction of vacation homes. Read the full press release.

What Happened

• Over 3,600 feet of natural shoreline on Bad Axe Lake has been permanently protected through a conservation easement. This is a lake of Outstanding Biological Significance that provides habitat for many of Minnesota’s large gamefish species. 
  
• 219 acres of land and water were protected within Paul Bunyan State Forest, helping ensure contiguous habitat remains intact to support wildlife. 
  
• Camp Wilderness has been in operation since 1946 as an important resource enabling the Northern Lights Council, BSA to deliver vibrant outdoor programs that are critical to the Scouting experience. The camp is nationally recognized and fully accredited by the Boy Scouts of America.
  
• The conservation easement ensures that immersive nature adventures remain accessible to youth for years to come, critical in a region of Minnesota that is losing more of its undeveloped and sensitive shorelands to the construction of vacation homes.  
  
• To date, the Minnesota Land Trust has helped legally and permanently protect 37 camps, nature centers and environmental learning centers (ELCs) across Minnesota, preserving 4,856 acres of natural land and over 37 miles of undeveloped shoreline.

Key Quotes

Read the full press release.

Image Gallery

This conservation easement was made possible by the members of the Minnesota Land Trust and with funding from Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC).

Bancroft, Minnesota Land Trust, and Washington County partner to protect 118 acres over two properties

The Minnesota Land Trust, Washington County, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and two landowners, including polar explorer Ann Bancroft, have successfully closed on a land conservation partnership project that permanently protects approximately 118 acres over two properties in the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District in May Township.

“One of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made was to put this land in a conservation easement to conserve it forever so that future generations can benefit. It would be a tragedy if this land were developed. I hope this inspires other Minnesotans to do this with their property. I couldn’t have done this alone. It was wonderful to work with the Minnesota Land Trust and Washington County,” Bancroft said.

Read the full press release to learn more about this exciting collaboration, Land Protected Forever in Partnership with Polar Explorer Ann Bancroft [PDF], and check out some beautiful property photos below.

This protection project is located within the Minnesota Land Trust’s Twin Cities Metro and Rum River & St. Croix River priority conservation program areas.

This conservation easement was made possible by the members of the Minnesota Land Trust and with funding from Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources and facilitated by the DNR Scenic and Natural Areas grant program. Funding was also provided by the Washington County Land and Water Legacy Program, a voter-approved bond referendum for the preservation of water quality, woodlands, and other natural areas.

Minnesota Land Trust, Washington County, and Science Museum of Minnesota permanently protect St. Croix Watershed Research Station Land

At the Science Museum of Minnesota’s St. Croix Watershed Research Station, groundwater bubbles up to the surface through a “boiling sand spring.” Native plant communities like cold-water wetlands, oak forests and restored prairie harbor a large number of Minnesota’s Species in Greatest Conservation Need. A clear, chilly stream boasts brook trout—a surprising sight in Washington County.

And as of March 15, Washington County and the Minnesota Land Trust have completed a conservation easement to protect the remarkable land found on the Museum’s station and its surrounding property forever.

The project provides current and future environmental benefits for residents of Washington County and the state of Minnesota, and secures a foundation for the Science Museum’s continued research.

As Minnesota Land Trust Executive Director Kris Larson notes, it “not only protects the property’s water resources and wildlife habitats, but it will also allow the Research Station to continue its critical scientific work for decades to come. We applaud the Science Museum’s vision and leadership; this is an important win-win for Minnesotans.”

Learn more by viewing the full press release: Minnesota Land Trust, Washington County, and Science Museum of Minnesota permanently protect St. Croix Watershed Research Station Land [PDF]

Partnership Preserves 460 Acres of Forest, Prairie and Wetland Habitat

It’s a 54-year-old gift that keeps on giving. Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center, located on Grindstone Lake in Sandstone, Minn., started its life as a 535-acre gift from Marguerite Schwyzer in 1968. On January 25, 2022, Osprey Wilds and the Minnesota Land Trust completed a conservation easement that now protects 460 acres of that land in perpetuity.

Acquired with funding from the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Funds, this easement preserves shoreline, forests, prairies, wetlands and wildlife habitats, providing a stable venue for Osprey Wilds’ visitors to discover nature and forge lasting commitments to the land.

Learn more about this exciting collaboration by viewing the full press release: Minnesota Land Trust and Osprey Wilds ELC permanently protect Grindstone Lake shoreline and woods [PDF].

Osprey Wilds ELC Photo Gallery

The Grindstone Lake permanent conservation easement was made possible thanks to the members of the Minnesota Land Trust and with funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Phase 1 and St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Phase 2 grants, as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC).