CONFERENCE TO BRING TOGETHER PARKS AND TRAILS SUPPORTERS FROM THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA

(BRAINERD, MN) - Parks and trails supporters from throughout the state will descend upon Cragun's Resort and Hotel on Gull Lake near Brainerd on March 3-4 to attend the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota's Parks and Trails for Future Generations conference. In addition to several interactive workshops designed to energize and educate parks and trails advocates, the conference will feature critically acclaimed generations' expert and best-selling author David Stillman and nationally renowned speaker Dr. Michael O'Donnell, founder and editor of the American Journal of Health Promotion.

The conference will address a number of important issues facing parks and trails activists today, including the headlining presentation on how to engage "Generation Xers" and "new Millennials" in the cause. Conference workshops will also examine recreation, tourism and fitness trends and offer ways to encourage active and healthy living in local communities.

"Every Parks & Trails Council conference presents its own unique milestone," said Terry McGaughey, founder of the Paul Bunyan State Trail Task Force and the trail's conceptual creator. "We are certainly pleased this event is taking place in our own backyard at a time that coincides with the start of a legislative session in which so many important park and trail projects are up for critical funding through the state bonding bill."

Among the many local residents who will be in attendance are supporters of the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail, the Paul Bunyan State Trail and Crow Wing State Park. The two trails and the park are on a list of projects seeking vital state land acquisition and development funding that will directly benefit local communities and economies.

"The Parks & Trails Council prides itself on bringing Minnesotans of all backgrounds and political affiliations together under our banner of furthering Minnesota's outdoor legacy of a vibrant park and trail system," said Grant Merritt, president of the council. " If we can increase public awareness of the many park and trail initiatives that are currently underway, we believe legislators will do the right thing and make necessary and smart investments in these special places for us and for future generations."

The Parks & Trails Council protects land that is critical to Minnesota's park and recreational trail system for the public's enjoyment. For more than 50 years, the grass roots organization has raised private funds to purchase land for the public while simultaneously building a vast network of community partners to advocate for parks and trails in their communities and at the Capitol. Minnesota's state parks and trails are the cornerstone of the state's $10.2 billion tourism economy. Explore Minnesota's tourism figures show that scenic touring and visiting state parks and trails are two of the top five reasons for travel in Minnesota.

"Minnesotans clearly value their parks and trails," said Merritt. "They are special places that provide access to the state's most outstanding natural, cultural and scenic resources as well as places to recreate and enjoy solitude. At a time of increased emphasis on physical fitness, parks and recreational trails provide great opportunities for active and healthy living."

The Parks and Trails for Future Generations conference is co-sponsored by the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the Initiative Foundation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), The Trust for Public Land and Audubon Minnesota. For more information or to register for the conference, please contact the Parks & Trails Council at 651-726-2457.