MINNEAPOLIS — With Minnesota’s moose population on the decline, conservation groups have teamed up with government agencies in hopes of helping the animals hang on by enhancing the habitat that’s critical to their survival.

Northeastern Minnesota’s moose population is down to around 3,450, about 60 percent lower than the estimated 8,840 in 2006. Scientists are still trying to understand why, but they suspect interplay among warmer temperatures, parasites, disease, and changing forest habitat. The state suspended moose hunting in 2013.

Aided by nearly $3 million in state money, the Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative is using prescribed burns, selective logging, brush-cutting and planting about 2.5 million trees, to provide better food and cover across 8,500 acres of Minnesota’s prime moose territory.

Officials don’t expect the project to reverse the decline by itself. But Chris Dunham, forest manager for The Nature Conservancy, said restoring high-quality moose habitat is one area where they have the power to make a difference.

The groups plan to hold several events in northeastern Minnesota on Wednesday to highlight the work already done and planned.