WILDFIRES

Forest health requires forest management 

While global warming and wildfires receive considerable attention, the key role of forest management is often overlooked. Forest management is not simply about cutting trees; it is about maintaining healthy, resilient forests. Thoughtful management can reduce fuel buildup, improve forest diversity, support natural processes and help woodlands adjust to changing conditions.

In northern Minnesota, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, active management options are limited within designated wilderness areas. As a result, natural forces such as wildfires, windstorms, insects and disease play a greater role in shaping these forests. Fire has always been part of northern forest ecosystems, clearing accumulated vegetation and supporting species adapted to periodic disturbance. However, when fuels accumulate over many decades, the potential for severe, destructive wildfires increases.

Climate conditions are certainly part of the conversation. Warmer temperatures and changing weather patterns can influence fire behavior and forest stress. But focusing only on climate does not tell the entire story.

Forest health is determined by many factors: fuel accumulation, forest age, species composition, insects, disease, natural disturbance and, where appropriate, active management.

The challenge is achieving the right balance. Decisions about our forests should be guided by science, experience and honest public discussion rather than politics or a single explanation. Responsible stewardship requires considering all available tools to protect forest health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

As forest landowners for more than 30 years, my wife and I have seen firsthand the importance of responsible stewardship and thoughtful management.

Northern Minnesota’s forests are among our greatest natural treasures. Protecting them for future generations requires careful discussion about how best to maintain their vitality. A healthy forest benefits wildlife, recreation, local communities and everyone who values these outstanding landscapes.
GARY KORSGADEN, Park Rapids, Minn. 

CLIMATE CHANGE

Good news, the market can help

The first rule of business is: Always be nice (if it doesn’t cost anything). One might conclude from “Companies give up on climate commitments” (Aug. 2) that the second rule is: Be climate-friendly (if it doesn’t cost anything). The article lists lots of companies’ failures to meet sustainability goals. Apparently, companies have decided that climate-friendly policies take a back seat to other business concerns. That is sad, but it’s not all bad news. The good news is: electric terminal trucks.

Electric terminal trucks doubled their market share in 2025 and are on pace to double it again in 2026. This is happening not because companies recognize that diesel terminal trucks are big polluters but because there is an economic incentive to running electrics.

The electric terminal truck market is dominated by Orange EV, whose trucks have a lower total cost of ownership (typically by hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the truck), superior up time and greater driver satisfaction. (Full disclosure: I own Orange EV stock. And a point of interest: The inventor of the Orange EV terminal truck is a University of Minnesota graduate.) It appears that market forces — not good intentions — will drive companies to deploy electric terminal trucks. Good news, indeed.
ROLF BOLSTAD, Minneapolis

CORPORATE-SPEAK

If you have something to say, say it

Regarding the quote the reporter chose to highlight in the piece on incoming Hormel CEO John Ghingo (“Hormel Foods’ next CEO has dishwashing roots,” Aug. 4): “As an industry and as a company, we have an opportunity to connect more deeply over the foods we deliver with transparency.”

I read that over and over. I still don’t know what he really meant by that. I suppose the reporter is limited to quoting what was said, but, geez, this is a ghastly piece of business-speak.

“Connect more deeply over the foods we deliver” — connect? To who? And what about the foods? Normally, when we “connect over food” we’re sharing a meal. I don’t think that’s what he meant. Does he mean “connect more deeply [with consumers]”? If so, connect how exactly? Increased sales, better publicity? “… with transparency.” Transparent about what? The connection? The food? The sources? The safety/quality? How it’s made? How it’s advertised? “Transparency” is an overused, meaningless buzzword in this context.

Again, the reporter was apparently quoting this man. I can only hope that, in person, his thoughts are not similarly imbued with such chaotic nebulosity.
MICHAEL STIEGLER, Plymouth

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Education can prevent abuse altogether

The bipartisan action taken to pass critically needed reforms for domestic violence is commendable (“A bipartisan win at the Capitol: domestic violence reforms,” Strib Voices, Aug.  

1). Those actions, especially the removal of guns, extending warrantless arrests to two weeks and reporting domestic violence calls in greater detail, will save lives already impacted by violence.

There is another method to curb domestic violence: prevention!

When over 70% of Americans cannot accurately identify the signs of abuse, and when abusive behaviors are not talked about or taught in school, abusers get emboldened under the cover of silence. We must and can do better. Education about the signs of abuse should be a top public-health priority to abate this crisis. Prevention resources are cost-effective and prevent countless tragedies. Knowing the signs of abuse can assist anyone in a potential relationship, or their family or loved ones, to avoid those who choose abusive behavior. Abusers — men and women — often act in repetitive patterns and in similar ways, making their actions, when we are informed, a bit easier to identify.

Prevention models of many other social ills have been very successful. In our six years as a nonprofit focused solely on the prevention of domestic abuse, we know education about the signs of abuse prevents victimization from occurring.

Resources, education, honest conversation and accurate labeling of behavior that aims for destructive power and control over others will save millions in dangerous police calls, therapy and expensive aftercare. Let’s add prevention education to the domestic violence tool kit.
LISSA WEIMELT, Chaska

The writer is co-founder of Maria’s Voice.

THE STATE FAIR

Planning ahead: Can I just have a bite?

It’s no secret that the Minnesota State Fair tends to serve food in non-Ozempic-size portions. That’s not just a problem for people on a diet, but also for fair patrons who are visiting alone or who just want to taste something new.

I don’t need a bucket full of chocolate chip cookies that I have to schlep around the rest of the fair. I just want to try one, maybe two.

I don’t need enough cheese curds to literally fill a boat or enough French fries to fill a Minnesota pothole. Besides, if I fill up on one delicacy, I don’t have room to try others.

In past years I have been tempted to approach total strangers leaving a food stand, waving a dollar in the air, “just for one.”

But I was not sure how that would be received.

I understand that large portion sizes are part of State Fair economics. And that trial, taste or kiddie sizes might dramatically affect revenue at some booths.

So I am pitching a “Minnesota nice” idea: Fair Food Buddies.

Each booth would have a Fair Food Buddy post set up nearby, where people with smaller appetites could wait and meet with similarly minded strangers to split the bounty. Maybe charge a small fee for an additional boat and napkin. No sharing straws with strangers.

Maybe even a dating-style app: Swipe right for Pronto Pups; swipe left for deep-fried alligator, rolled in chocolate and cheese.

I am sure that friendships would result, as other common interests would be uncovered while waiting in line. A new perspective on the Great Minnesota Get-Together, perhaps?
PHILIP JACOBS, St. Paul