Minnesota Lottery: Saving Tamarack Forests

ROSEVILLE, Minn. (April 1, 2026) – A native beetle has killed huge stretches of tamarack across the state, taking a toll on wetlands, wildlife habitat and the northern landscapes Minnesotans love.

Thanks to funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, supported by Lottery dollars, a new project is stepping in to give tamarack forests a fighting chance.

Tamarack trees are a defining part of Minnesota’s bogs and swamps. When they disappear, the ripple effects reach far beyond the trees themselves. Whole ecosystems feel the impact, from water quality to the wildlife that rely on these cool, shaded habitats. The ongoing eastern larch beetle outbreak has turned many tamarack stands into ghost forests, and without new tools, the loss could continue to spread.  

An investment of $321,000 from the ENRTF will support a three‑year effort to find new ways to slow or stop beetle damage in Minnesota. Researchers will:

• Test insect management options, from biological controls to pheromone‑based strategies

• Monitor how well different techniques protect tamarack trees

• Develop practical tools forest managers can use across central, northeastern, and northwestern Minnesota

  
  

The work is focused on simple, scalable methods that could have a big impact on the health of tamarack forests statewide.

The ultimate goal is to preserve tamarack where we can and prevent further widespread loss. By slowing beetle damage and identifying effective management strategies, Minnesota can protect key wetlands, create resilient ecosystems, and keep these iconic trees as part of our landscape for generations.

It’s another example of how lottery dollars help safeguard the natural places that make Minnesota home. Learn more about how we are Playing Our Part.