Friends Groups
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
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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
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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
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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 ...
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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.
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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
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Eight friends groups receive grants from P&TC in 2022
Parks & Trails Council continued its popular Friends Group grant program in 2022 by issuing grants ranging from $350-$3,450 to eight friends groups. As a stewardship partner to specific parks and trails, Friends Groups can play a significant role in supporting habitat restoration efforts, trail ...
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Friends joined park manager interview process
From Friends of Lake Maria State Park It Never Hurts to Ask Like the average person, I guess, I’m not very good at asking for assistance in most endeavors. However, when the Park Manager’s position opened up at Lake Maria State Park, it occurred to ...
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Ashley’s departure from P&TC
Dear friends group leaders, With bittersweet energy I am sharing that I will be leaving Parks & Trails Council. I have truly enjoyed cultivating lasting relationships with friends group leaders, DNR representatives, and colleagues alike, all in an effort to support Minnesota's great parks and ...
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2021 Friends Group Habitat Restoration Grants Recap
In 2021, Parks & Trails Council partnered with nine friends groups to spearhead habitat restoration projects at state and regional parks and trails. See the recap below. 2021 by the Numbers $7,500 $4,360 9 82 8.5 921 Funds granted Local cash match Friends Group Partners ...
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Meet the Friends of Lake Shetek State Park
Friends Group Since Established in 2002. Mission To provide support for reasonable improvement, maintenance, protection, and expansion of Lake Shetek State Park for the benefit of present and future generations. Recent Events: Fall Festival Continuing an annual tradition, the friends group helped host the park’s …
2022 Legislative Monitoring: Community-driven trail projects
We support volunteer friends groups to advocate for trail projects in their communities. The table below highlights key actions that have been taken on this priority issue during the 2022 Legislative Session. We will work to update this table throughout the session. Casey Jones State ...
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Tracks & Trails – Winter 2022
From Glendalough Park Partners In This Issue Walk for Glendalough Friends Group Impact Report Lights Out Migration Winter Animal Tracks Year 1 at Glendalough history Click image to read newsletter Go to friends' main page
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