Regional Park Friends
The Friends of Lashbrook make space for the bees
Did you know Minnesota has a state bee? The Rusty Patched Bumblebee (B. affinis) is a charismatic little insect with a band of coppery fur on its abdomen. But it's facing some steep challenges due to habitat loss, and is currently listed as endangered in the United ...
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Four Friends Groups receive funding for habitat restoration in 2023
Parks & Trails Council is proud to announce the recipients of our 2023 Friends Group Partners Grants. P&TC works closely with these volunteer-based groups, who are important partners for the stewardship of our state's parks and trails. Each of this year's awardees put forward compelling ...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Meet Friends of Sunfish Lake Park
A small, but mighty, group of volunteers banded together five years ago to stand as a symbol of stewardship for Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake Park. One of their primary activities has been creating and operating the nature center in the park. In addition, they host ...
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Friends of Sunfish Lake 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 Sunfish Lake Park Mission Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake Park stands as a symbol of the stewardship ...
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Friends of Oxbow – Fall 2021 Newsletter
From Friends of Oxbow In This Issue Fall Fest Nature center fundraising Membership renewal Merchandise Board member spotlight Click image to view newsletter Go to friends' main page
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Friends are committed to addressing invasive plants
From Friends of Chester Woods There is a never-ending battle going on in Olmsted County Parks to limit the spread of invasive plants. This effort is under the direction of park staff with the help of the Friends of Chester Woods (FOCW) and other volunteers. ...
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Grantees begin restoring habitat with in-person events
Grantees have begun restoring habitat at parks across Minnesota. Under P&TC's habitat restoration grant program, friends groups are planting trees, removing invasive species, and helping to establish native woodland species. See the albums below for a sneak peak into some of these projects. Friends of ...
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Olmsted County breaks ground on new nature center at Oxbow Park
From Friends of Oxbow Plans and fundraising are underway for developing a new nature center at Oxbow Park. Read the update on Olmsted County's website: "Olmsted County breaks ground on a new nature center at Oxbow Park" Watch project videoMore about the friends
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What can you do at Lashbrook Park?
From Friends of Lashbrook Park Take a leisurely walk or a more strenuous jog on the MOWED PATHS that crisscross throughout the park. Strategically placed BENCHES allow you to sit, rest, and enjoy the views. In winter you can use the paths and trails to ...
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