A new agreement conserves the Clair A. Nelson Memorial Forest located north of Silver Bay in Lake County. The agreement assures that the 6,252-acre forest, named after Clair A. Nelson, the late Lake County Board chair, remains open for logging, hunting, fishing, hiking, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. The forest provides important habitat for a variety of wildlife species and includes the headwaters of the Manitou River, a prime trout stream.

An agreement includes a partnership comprised of Lake County, the Minnesota DNR, The Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, and Minnesota Power. Under the agreement, Lake County purchased most of what is now known as the Clair A. Nelson Memorial Forest from The Conservation Fund. The Nature Conservancy purchased a conservation easement precluding development of the county-owned land, ensuring sustainable forest management, wildlife habitat, and opportunities for public access. The DNR acquired the conservation easement from The Nature Conservancy at half the appraised value, with the Conservancy making a partial donation to the state.

The Conservancy also is donating a 246-acre tract within the forest to Lake County. The property is subject to a conservation easement held by DNR and is valued at $49,000.