According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a peatland is defined as, “A type of wetland where constantly saturated conditions lead to a build-up of plant materials over time.” Peat bogs are formed over thousands of years and play a critical role in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity.  They are vital ecosystems that support the areas around them. In addition to reducing atmospheric carbon and supporting a wide array of rare plants and animals, they reduce flooding and improve water quality by sequestering pollutants.

Minnesota is home to a lot of peatlands. Covering over 10% of the state, our six million acres is the second largest amount of peat bogs in any US state, only after Alaska.

Although there are bogs across the state, the majority are concentrated in the northern half. This map created by the Minnesota DNR shows the locations of histosols, the main type of soil found in peat bogs, across the state.