A present to the future: Love the land? Then help preserve it for the next generation
As Will Rogers famously said, the trouble with land is they're not making any more of it.
In the north woods, land prices are rising as the population swells and people look for places to build vacation and retirement homes. Wall Street investment bankers are demanding timber companies convert their vast land holdings into profit. And as cheap wood pulp from abroad depresses their revenues, it's hard for the companies to say no.
"It's the perfect storm," says Ron Nargang, director of the Nature Conservancy's Minnesota chapter.
more...Golden opportunities
By Gustave Axelson, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine
Behind the scenes, the Parks & Trails Council-a little-known group of citizens-has been working to create a legacy of parks and trails for Minnesotans.
more...Should the Minnesota Legislature OK money for a state park on Lake Vermilion? Yes
Minnesota is a vast garden of natural resources. Our parks, trails, prairies, forests, lakes, rivers and streams define who we are as Minnesotans as much as they define our great state.
more...Dave Durenberger: If we act, we can witness the birth of a state park
At Lake Vermilion, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but time is short
Minnesota is a special place. Our parks and trails, lakes and rivers, forests and wilderness areas are an important part of who we are. We are blessed to live in a state with so many spectacular natural resources and a long line of visionary leaders who have steadfastly protected them for current and future generations.
more...Henry Somsen: A great love of outdoors
By Doug Smith, Star Tribune
ROCHESTER -- At 97, Henry Somsen still has a firm handshake, sharp mind, wry sense of humor and a solid memory.
Over the decades, he has put his money where his heart is -- in the outdoors.
more...Man behind Afton State Park dies
By BEN COHEN, Star Tribune
Henry (Heine) Somsen, a New Ulm attorney and conservationist, worked to increase park and other public lands in gratitude for the outdoors opportunities he had enjoyed.
Somsen, who was instrumental in the founding of Afton State Park and other public lands in Minnesota, died Tuesday in Rochester.
more...Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota partners with VNPA to secure privately owned land within park boundaries
By International Falls Daily Journal staff
The Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota and Voyageurs National Park Association joined efforts to acquire private property this week within the boundaries of Voyageurs National Park.
more...Bike Minnesota group cycles through region
By Justine Wettschreck, Worthington Daily Globe
PIPESTONE — Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge David Minge spent the holiday weekend on his bicycle — along with 50 or so other cyclists — as they toured southwest Minnesota, exploring some of the region’s natural and cultural treasures, during Minge’s third annual Bike Minnesota with Parks & Trails ride.
more...Minge on a roll when it comes to showing off region
By Robert Wolfington III, Marshall Independent
CURRIE — “This was a great surprise,” said Tim Farrell of St. Paul on Monday morning.
Farrell was part of a bike trip that brought participants from around the state to see what southwest Minnesota has to offer.
more...New state park must not come at the expense of existing system
Viewpoint by Parks & Trails President Tim Farrell
Published in Grand Forks Herald July 29, 2007
The day after Gov. Tim Pawlenty unveiled a plan for a new state park on Lake Vermilion, the Herald’s Tom Dennis wrote an insightful editorial that made an important connection between the governor’s proposed new state park and its potential impact on the existing state park system