2022 Friends Group Habitat Restoration Grants Recap

In 2022, Parks & Trails Council partnered with six Friends Groups to spearhead habitat restoration projects at state and regional parks and trails. See the recap below.

2022 by the Numbers

$11,550

$8,174

6

413

717.5

Funds granted

Local cash match

Friends Group Partners

Trees and shrubs planted

Volunteer hours

Projects

Friends of Blue Mounds State Park

Replacing shade trees in the campground/use areas with hardy native species.

  • 12 volunteer hours
  • 10 trees planted
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Friends of the Casey Jones State Trail

Worked with volunteers to collect native prairie seeds along the trail for a spring seeding.

  • 32.5 volunteer hours
  • $149.25 local cash match
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Frontenac State Park Association

Planted 23 trees of various species to replace ash trees decimated by the emerald ash borer.

  • 23 trees planted
  • 42 volunteer hours
  • $560 financial match
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Friends of Indian Heights

Establishment of a deer exclosure fence around 8 acres of prairie.*

*This project is currently on hold due to adverse weather conditions. Work will be completed in spring of 2023.

  • $3,035 financial match
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Friends of Lake Elmo’s Sunfish Lake Park

Planting oak seedlings, oak saplings, and a variety of native forbs/grasses/sedges on park land cleared of buckthorn as part of a long-term habitat restoration project.

  • 355 trees planted
  • 105 pounds of native seed mix spread
  • $1,010 financial match
  • 538 volunteer hours
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Back Country Horsemen of Minnesota (Zumbro Bottoms Chapter)

Restoring the natural trail surface on Paddy’s Trail in the Zumbro Bottoms Forest Recreation Unit and planting red osier dogwoods along a stretch of damaged trail.*

*This project is still in progress. Check back in early summer 2023 for updates!

  • $2,770 financial match
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Thank you and congratulations to the six Friends Groups who implemented habitat restoration projects in 2022. Their hard work and dedication for their parks and trails is evident! The land, wildlife, and human visitors truly benefit from their steadfast investment.

Grant program details