Friends Groups

May 5, 2022

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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snowshoers walk on the trail in the prairie
March 31, 2022

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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March 31, 2022

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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new paved trail segment with fields on each side
March 15, 2022

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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kids filling a hole of a newly planted tree
March 15, 2022

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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March 11, 2022

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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March 1, 2022

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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group of volunteers stands next to buckthorn pile
February 24, 2022

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 …

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Wooden sign mounted between stone pillars
February 10, 2022

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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man bicycling on fresh pavement
February 10, 2022

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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February 7, 2022

Friends of Scandia Newsletter 2022

From Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails In This Issue Gateway extension Plant Walks Lilleskogen Invasive Shrub Removal Click image to view newsletter Go to friends' main page
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February 7, 2022

Lake Maria Messenger – Winter 2022

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park In This Issue Trumpeter swans Winter animal adaptations Trail conditions New member welcome Animal tracks Click image to view newsletter Go to friends' main page
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February 3, 2022

Friends have embarked on ambitious $1,000,000 fundraising campaign

A new nature center is getting built at Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo, and the Friends of Oxbow is rallying support to enhance the nature center experience once it's constructed. Since the '80s, Friends of Oxbow has been supporting the park's educational, environmental, and recreational ...
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blooming flowers and walking paths in front of building
January 26, 2022

Special Events

Details One way that friends groups engage community members is through special events. These events provide people with a connection to the park or trail, they may help raise funds for the group, and they promote the stewardship work the friends group provides. Hear from ...
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January 19, 2022

Friends’ long-term interventions to manage invasive buckthorn

From Friends of Chester Woods Much of Chester Woods is infiltrated with buckthorn and other woody invasive specis, especially in the undeveloped areas of our park. We have forested areas where buckthorn is almost the exclusive species on the forest floor. The Friends of Chester ...
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Person stands at intersection of chemically treated buckthorn and untreated buckthorn