Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Welcome to the official Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) page. You can also learn more on our website at mndnr.gov.

Welcome to the official Minnesota Department of Natural Resources page! Follow us here for the latest DNR news, videos, photos and answers to your questions about Minnesota's natural resources and outdoor opportunities. Minnesota DNR is an equal opportunity provider. All visitors must follow our Terms of Use for Social Media Channels: mndnr.gov/site_tools/terms_of_service.html

Kids and families – come play, explore, and try out life as a land surveyor at the state fair!In the DNR building, you c...
31/08/2026

Kids and families – come play, explore, and try out life as a land surveyor at the state fair!

In the DNR building, you can explore terrain with an augmented sandbox – reshape the sand and watch the digital map change in real time. Suit up in hard hats and high‑vis vests, then test out tools like the Robotic Total Station, which uses lasers to measure land.

And don’t forget to grab a selfie in front of our nature photo backdrop before you go!

Agates are truly one of a kind!Minnesota’s gemstone formed a billion years ago inside volcanic rock. Today, these banded...
31/08/2026

Agates are truly one of a kind!

Minnesota’s gemstone formed a billion years ago inside volcanic rock. Today, these banded stones are a proud part of our state’s natural identity – and they are taking center stage at the state fair!

Join us at 1 p.m. on the outdoor stage to hear about Moose Lake Agate and Geological Center – home to Agzilla, the enormous Lake Superior agate on display in our Rocks and Minerals case – plus DNR geologists break down the powerful geologic forces that created Lake Superior agates and why they’re found all across Minnesota. Bring your questions and discover what makes the North Shore’s agates so special.

Ever spot someone in a hard hat standing next to a tripod and a strange-looking stick by the side of the road? You’ve pr...
31/08/2026

Ever spot someone in a hard hat standing next to a tripod and a strange-looking stick by the side of the road? You’ve probably seen a land surveyor at work. They use high‑tech tools (and some good old‑fashioned math) to map and measure the land around us.

Join us at the DNR Main Stage at 11 a.m. at the state fair to watch DNR Land Surveyor Alan Dale in action. He’ll demo tools like the Robotic Total Station, which uses lasers to measure angles and distances to help define Minnesota’s public land boundaries.

Ask questions, check out the equipment, and learn how surveyors help protect natural areas and guide where people can hike, hunt, and fish.

You probably know Minnesota’s state bird is the loon and our state flower is the pink lady’s slipper … but did you know ...
31/08/2026

You probably know Minnesota’s state bird is the loon and our state flower is the pink lady’s slipper … but did you know we also have a state gemstone? Meet the Lake Superior agate—some say it’s one of the oldest in the world at one billion years old!

You can spot agates in riverbeds, gravel pits … and even in the Boulder Play Area near the DNR building at the state fair. At noon and 2 pm, kids can hunt for agates formed when cooled lava mixed with water and built layers of minerals like quartz and iron ore. Come dig in and discover a piece of Minnesota’s ancient past!

Out at the fair today? Grab a rocky road cone from the Dairy Barn, then swing over to the DNR Theater to learn what goes...
31/08/2026

Out at the fair today? Grab a rocky road cone from the Dairy Barn, then swing over to the DNR Theater to learn what goes into Minnesota’s real rocky roads.

Dig into our aggregate play table to explore the stones, gravel, and sand—aka aggregate resources—that help build the streets and highways we travel every day. We couldn’t build solid roads without aggregates … kind of like how ice cream just isn’t the same without toppings.

Curious about how communities plan for the future? Check out more about our aggregate mapping program—or just drop your favorite ice cream topping in the comments. 🍦🪨

Fun fact: a single mile of a four‑lane highway uses nearly 340,000 cubic yards of construction aggregates. That’s more than 18,000 dump truck loads!

A 50‑pound agate?? Yep. It’s called Agzilla, and you can see it up close in our Rocks & Minerals case in the DNR Theater...
30/08/2026

A 50‑pound agate?? Yep. It’s called Agzilla, and you can see it up close in our Rocks & Minerals case in the DNR Theater.

Stop by the DNR building at the state fair to discover the epic geologic history that shaped Minnesota and explore rocks and fossils from across the state.

Do you love stories about nature and conservation? Bucket list outdoor adventures? 🦋🍁🌿🌲🐻 🛶 🥾Come to the State Fair! ⋆｡‧🎠...
30/08/2026

Do you love stories about nature and conservation? Bucket list outdoor adventures? 🦋🍁🌿🌲🐻 🛶 🥾Come to the State Fair! ⋆｡‧🎠🎡

Learn more about Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine from editor in chief Chris Clayton. Chris and his team at MCV work hard to produce beautiful and award-winning issues that feature stories from all corners of the state.

Meet Chris at the info booth at the DNR building or at the MCV birdsong display inside from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, September 2. Ask questions, chat, pitch a story, and pick up your very own copy of MCV!

Check out MCV at mndnr.gov/mcv.

So many tail wags, so much talent. 👏🐶 The DNR’s conservation K-9s impressed the crowd as they sniffed out hidden wild g...
29/08/2026

So many tail wags, so much talent. 👏🐶

The DNR’s conservation K-9s impressed the crowd as they sniffed out hidden wild game, fish and even invasive zebra mussels as part of educational demonstrations for fairgoers – all part of their job protecting our natural resources. 🌲

Want to see the pups in action? 🐕💨Catch the next demos tomorrow at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., or swing by again on September 6 or September 7 on the DNR grounds at the Minnesota State Fair! You’ll get to see the dogs up close, chat with their handlers, and see just how amazing these four-legged officers really are.

29/08/2026

1800 gallons. 🤯Tough. . 💦🧯🚒🔥 Minnesota State Fair

Today is Fire Prevention Day, and the DNR has loads of fun waiting for fairgoers! Use a water bladder to fight “fire,” c...
28/08/2026

Today is Fire Prevention Day, and the DNR has loads of fun waiting for fairgoers! Use a water bladder to fight “fire,” climb the fire tower and visit the fire prevention building, try on wildland fire gear, take a selfie with Smokey Bear (and get a Smokey Bear tattoo!) and so much more.

Swing by for some of these highlights:

🚒 “Touch the Truck” event

Visit some of our wildland fire equipment and get a fun prize! You can see a wildland fire engine, 2 different track vehicles, a water tender built from an old military truck, and a Bambi bucket (used to drop water from helicopters) 🚁

🔥Firewise presentation at 11 a.m. on the Outdoor stage

Learn the top tricks and tips to reduce wildfire risk to your home and property from our northeast regional Firewise specialist, Laura Murphy. Home and cabin owners can get information on our free Firewise homeowner’s kit and take home Firewise resources.

👩‍🚒 Wildland Fire Tools of the Trade at 1 p.m. on the Outdoor stage

Learn about what it takes to become a wildland firefighter. See and try some of the tools wildland firefighters use in the field from hand tools and backpack pumps to high-tech radios and fire shelters.

Address

500 Lafayette Road

55155

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 08:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+16512966157

Website

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