The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed aerial seeding via helicopter to disperse jack pine, white pine, tamarack and black spruce seeds on DNR-managed forests. The flights are part of the DNR’s typical reforestation work and are necessary to reach remote or otherwise difficult-to-access areas like bogs. The DNR also uses aerial seeding to spread seed on sites where circumstances might prevent species from regenerating naturally. This month, the DNR dispersed seeds on just over 500 acres across 14 sites. Seeds are mixed with a clay carrier, loaded into a hopper, then distributed evenly over each site from a height just above any surrounding trees. …In addition to aerial seeding, other reforestation strategies include hand planting seedlings or allowing trees to naturally regenerate. Foresters consider a variety of factors to decide which regeneration strategy best suits a site.