Much of a northern Minnesota lakeside corporate retreat owned by the 3M Co. will be protected from redevelopment and opened for public use.

The St. Paul-based Minnesota Land Trust and the Northern Waters Land Trust of Walker have purchased nearly 450 acres of the ecologically significant land from the Maplewood-based 3M.

The deal, which recently closed, was valued at $5.38 million, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

The land will be donated to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to create a new Mantrap Lake Wildlife Management Area just north of Park Rapids in Hubbard County.

In spring 2023, 3M put Wonewok, its 680-acre conference center and corporate retreat on Big Mantrap Lake, up for sale as the company sought to cut costs. Wonewok offered a private north woods getaway for the industrial giant’s employees and customers.

The remaining Wonewok property, including the conference center and its cabins, remains for sale.

Created in 1929 by a Chicago businessman, Wonewok was purchased by 3M in 1955.

Northern Waters Land Trust executive director Annie Knight previously said the trust had been working with a variety of nonprofits and 3M since April 2023 to acquire the Wonewok property and “protect it permanently.”

The deal utilized Outdoor Heritage Funds, which are endowed via the voter-approved Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Land acquired with Outdoor Heritage Funds must be open to public hunting and fishing, in accordance with Minnesota’s Constitution.

The Minnesota DNR will also use federal funding through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the DNR’s loon conservation program.

Knight said the 449 acres includes 6 miles of shoreline on the 1,600-acre lake with “some of the most pristine wild areas that we have in Hubbard County.”

All told, Park Rapids area DNR wildlife manager Eric Thorson said there are 16 parcels involved in the sale, which would form eastern and western units of the Mantrap WMA.

“WMAs are state lands that are mostly managed for nonmotorized outdoor recreation,” Thorson said previously, “primarily hunting, fishing and wildlife habitat.”

Other allowed uses include birdwatching, trapping, hiking and snowshoeing.

There would be limited user development in order to keep the land in its natural state “for the enjoyment of the public,” Thorson said, adding that he visited the property three times.

He described the land as “awe-inspiring,” with “great views of the lake,” natural shorelines, wild rice and big pine stands.

A preliminary DNR review found old growth potential, he said, with red pine up to 200 years old and large white pines.

Among the “unique resources” are a network of existing trails. Some are just south of the existing Mantrap Lake Campground and public access.

“Our intent would be to maintain most, if not all, of those trails with some annual mowing and clearing,” Thorson said.

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