Denbigh Experimental Forest

The USDA Forest Service established the Denbigh Experimental Forest in 1931 as part of a research project to determine what conifer or hardwood trees would survive in the area. Over the next 20+ years, more than 40 tree species were planted at Denbigh. The Forest Service contracted maintenance and forest management responsibilities to the North Dakota Forest Service in 1983. However, these responsibilities were transferred back to the US Forest Service-Dakota Prairie Grasslands in 1998. The Sheyenne Ranger District Station now manages Denbigh.

The southwest one-half of Denbigh Experimental Forest was planted with thousands of trees and shrubs between 1931 and 1942, while the remainder was left as natural prairie habitat. Various grassland birds, prairie butterflies, and wildflowers use it. Over 200 bird species have been recorded here, including the northern saw-whet owl, sharp-shinned hawk, brown creeper, bald eagle, red-breasted nuthatch, and red crossbill.

For the last 75 years, this area has been left idle, leading to tree and shrub encroachment and the invasion of noxious weeds and exotic grasses. The Dakota Prairie Grasslands continues working to restore the native prairie portion through noxious weed treatments, mowing, and prescribed burning.

The Towner State Nursery is associated with the Denbigh Experimental Forest, established in 1935 by the US Forest Service to produce tree seedlings for planting the proposed Souris National Forest. The Souris was never established due to a lack of funding. Hence, the nursery was closed in 1942 due to World War II and was re-opened in 1951 by the North Dakota Forest Service. It continues to operate today and produces about 1.25 million tree seedlings annually.