Endangered Species Minnesota has an endangered species act that protects plants and animals. Listing is based on scientific data, although a public review and commentary is authorized. Recovery plans are authorized but not required. Critical habitat designation and agency consultation are not required. Penalties constitute a misdemeanor and require the violator to pay restitution for replacement of the animal.
Some state agencies attempt to manage their lands in a biologically sustainable manner.
For example, biodiversity conservation is one of the goals in the Division of Forestry's strategic plan. Cooperative Efforts Minnesota engages in some cooperative efforts to improve land management across ownership boundaries. An Upper Great Lakes Biodiversity Committee makes recommendations on biodiversity issues and works through other agencies to implement them. The Department of Natural Resources cooperates with the U.S. Forest Service on an Ecological Classification System to assess the ecological capabilities of different pieces of land. State Agency Training Minnesota has some programs of agency personnel training for biodiversity.