ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources is kicking off a series of five hearings across the state to give the public the chance to comment on proposed updates to the state’s list of plants and animals that are at risk of disappearing from the Minnesota landscape.

The DNR is proposing to remove 15 plants and 14 animals from Minnesota’s list of endangered, threatened and special-concern species, while adding 67 animals and 114 plants to the list. Overall, the changes would affect 302 species. The list was last updated officially in 1996.

The first hearing is Tuesday evening in Rochester, followed by another Wednesday in New Ulm. Hearings set for next week include Tuesday in Bemidji, Wednesday in Duluth and Thursday in Plymouth. All begin at 6 p.m.

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