Friends Groups
Field trip brings students to plant native seeds on the Gitchi Gami Trail
Earlier this spring, 37 students from Cook County Public Schools stepped out of their school, hopped on their bicycles, and peddled the Gitchi Gami State Trail, where they helped restore native landscaping. The field trip was a hands-on event that brought together bicycle safety, natural ...
Read More
New Tracks at Belmont County Park
From Friends of the Jackson County Trails Single-tracks, also known as off-road trails, are one to four-foot wide unpaved trails that wind through outdoor spaces. Belmont County Park located eight miles from the City of Jackson and twelve miles from the City of Lakefield, has ...
Read More
Engaging youth service organizations: A Friends Group Partner Primer
Building volunteer capacity is a consistent concern for many Friends Groups. Habitat restoration, event planning, invasives removal, and information gathering can all require many hands on deck, and sometimes, it can be helpful to call on your wider community for assistance. Youth engagement is a ...
Read More
Four Friends Groups receive funding for habitat restoration in 2023
In 2023, Parks & Trails Council partnered with four friends groups to spearhead habitat restoration projects at natural areas around the state. See our recap of their activities below! 2023 by the Numbers $10,000 4 173 83 Funds granted Friends Group Partners Trees and shrubs ...
Read More
Intro to Winter Activities at Savanna Portage State Park
From Friends of Savanna Portage If you happen to be in the vicinity of Savanna Portage State Park this winter, you might discover a variety of frost-friendly activities to take part in, courtesy of the newly-formed Friends of Savanna Portage State Park. Coming soon: you ...
Read More
Planning a Candlelight Event: A Friends Group Partner Primer
The winter nights are long and dark, but you can put a little light back into your life – and the lives of your neighbors - by holding a candlelight event! These popular events involve setting up candles or electric luminaries along pre-arranged pathways so ...
Read More
Friends of Savanna Portage State Park
Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Friends of Savanna Portage State Park Mission The mission of the Friends of Savanna Portage State Park is to support ...
Read More
2023 Habitat Restoration Grants: An Overview
Details Hear from Phoebe Ward, Friends Group Program Manager, as she goes over the 2023 Habitat Restoration grant program, including updated application deadlines, eligible restoration activities, and questions to ask during the planning process. More Webinar Recordings
Read More
Webinar: Heritage Interpretation 101
Details Melissa Peterson, Interpretive Programs Manager for the Minnesota Historical Society, provides an overview of the theory surrounding heritage interpretation. More Webinar Recordings
Read More
Webinar: Park Rx
Details Hear from Sara Holger and Jay McLaren about their efforts to implement Park Rx programming at Whitewater State Park. More Webinar Recordings
Read More
Minnesota Valley State Trail Friends Group
Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Minnesota Valley State Trail Friends Group Mission The Minnesota Valley State Trail Friends Group is currently the planning stages. They ...
Read More
New trail at Sibley made possible with P&TC land
A long-awaited 3-mile, paved, multi-use trail has been completed at Sibley State Park. This scenic trail meanders through the prairie for a uniquely peaceful experience. Plus, its current endpoint— a tunnel under Hwy. 71—foreshadows an exciting next phase.
Read More
NorthStar Trail Travelers Events Update
NorthStar Trail Travelers started the year off with a winter snowshoe event on Saturday, February 12, at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park by Northfield. It was a very cold day but 13 diehard souls showed up and enjoyed seeing the falls frozen over. In May, ...
Read More
Community Support for the Mill Towns State Trail
Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail has been a steadfast supporter and local advocate for the Mill Towns State Trail. From advocacy to financial contributions, the friends continue to work behind the scenes to move trail development forward throughout the trail corridor. The group's ...
Read More
Friends of the Casey Jones Trail Overview
From Friends of the Casey Jones State Trail Association Friends of the Casey Jones State Trail Association is garnering community support for trail development. Read the article in Redwood Gazette March 24, 2022 edition: "Friends of the Casey Jones State Trail" Read the full story
Read More
