From public land to nonindustrial private forest: a Minnesota case study

Minnesota statute calls for return of 2.9 million acres of tax-forfeited land to private ownership. Most is forested. Over 600,000 acres were sold between 1964 and 1974. One county, Itasca, disposed of 130,000 acres in 18 years beginning in 1960. Of this amount, 25 percent ended up as nonindustrial private forests (NIPFs). Study indicated that the owners resembled other NIPF owners around the nation. Their objectives were primarily for other purposes than timber growing. They did not manage their land aggressively, had little knowledge of public service programs in forestry, and tended to sell their tracts frequently. Average tenure was 8.5 years; some tracts had six or more owners in the 18 years. These findings raise questions about society's interest in transferring forestland from public to private ownership.