State Park Friends

January 29, 2020

Partnership restores patches of habitat at seven state parks

In 2019, Parks & Trails Council partnered with seven friends groups to spearhead habitat restoration projects at state parks. This work was made possible by a generous grant from the Henry S. Crosby Foundation. 2019 by the Numbers $25,364 7 237 11 493 Funds granted ...
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friends and youth celebrate having planted a tree
January 23, 2020

Minneopa Messenger – January 2020 Newsletter

From Friends of Minneopa State Park In This Issue Winter Fest Manager's Report Cutting Buckthorn Enjoying Winter Honoring Founder Brand Frentz 2019 Photo Contest Photo: Courtesy of Friends of Minneopa State Park Click to download Go to friends' main page
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luminaries lighting the hike and snowshoe trail
January 6, 2020

Behind the scenes: Planning a Centennial Celebration for Whitewater State Park

From Friends of Whitewater State Park The Centennial of a park is a BIG deal! It is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, the naturalists at Whitewater State Park, which was established in 1919, put together a plan to host a special event each month of ...
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shovels and trees that are ready to be planted
December 15, 2019

Winter 2020 Newsletter – Friends of Wild River

From Friends of Wild River State Park In This Issue Letter from the President Ampitheater Update Candlelight Event Annual Meeting on March 14 2020 Events Park Manager Update Photo: Courtesy of Friends of Wild River State Park Click to view full newsletter Go to friends' ...
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candles along path in the snow at night
November 25, 2019

Friends help upgrade tent pads at Nerstrand

From Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park On Thursday 11/14/19, a crew consisting of five volunteers and two park staff improved a total of eight tent pads in three hours! The pads, located at group camp and walk-in sites, were first cleared of leaves ...
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volunteers rake pea rock in a campsite
November 21, 2019

“Milkweed and Monarchs” and other news at Glendalough

From Glendalough Park Partners fall 2019 newsletter Hikers and bikers observed two resurgences along the Glendalough trails in the summer of 2019 – milkweed and monarch butterflies. The interdependence of these two prairie natives cannot be overstated. Click to read full newsletter The monarch butterfly ...
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November 20, 2019

Friends of Zippel Bay shifts to year-round park support

A couple years ago, Friends of Zippel Bay State Park started to shift focus away from primarily supporting nordic ski activities to a more inclusive, broad vision of support for the park. Courtesy of Friends of Zippel Bay State Park In 2019, they successfully secured ...
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October 29, 2019

A wide range of support from Friends of Minneopa

Since 1998, the Friends of Minneopa State Park has supported a wide variety of opportunities for community members and visitors to experience Minneopa State Park. Their past year of activities demonstrates the group's lasting commitment to this special park near Mankato. Annual Events Winterfest (January): ...
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Friends pose under their banner
October 25, 2019

October Newsletter – Friends of Lake Maria

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park See what the friends group has been up to this summer! Also, learn about upcoming events they will be holding. (Click image below to view full newsletter.) Click to view full newsletter Banner image: Jeff Moravec / P&TC ...
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October 25, 2019

Getting more kids outside through youth engagement grants

Three more friends groups will be getting kids to their state parks for field trips, with support from grants issued by Parks & Trails Council. One of the biggest barriers that schools and youth groups face with getting kids outdoors and going on field trips ...
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kids wading in the river with nets
October 21, 2019

North Branch Students explore Wild River State Park

About 50 kids from North Branch's "Youth Connections" program descended upon Wild River State Park Thursday. Friends of Wild River State Park, through a grant secured from Parks & Trails Council, partnered with the park naturalist and the Youth Connections program to build a field ...
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kids and naturalist walk along a gravel path
October 11, 2019

Getting youth outdoors by partnering with Friends Groups

School is back in session. And for some lucky students this fall, their classroom happened to be a park or trail for a day.
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Fifth-graders explore the woods at Lake Maria
October 8, 2019

Runners endured muddy trails at the Leaf Mountain Foot Race

From Friends of Glacial Lakes State Park Friends of Glacial Lakes State Park hosted their 2nd Annual Leaf Mountain Foot Race on September 21, 2019. Thunderstorms passed through during the first loop of the race, but that didn't stop these hearty souls! Runners soldiered on ...
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People trail run
October 2, 2019

Energizing the park with innovative ideas and community programs

Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park More often than not, cutting-edge ideas come from those outside the rank-and-file of an organization. This is part of the reason friends groups are such an asset for parks and trails. They bring a wealth of perspectives and energy ...
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woman stands behind pile of volleyball sand
September 23, 2019

The Maple Leaf – Fall 2019 Newsletter

From Friends of Maplewood State Park In This Issue Leaf Days Events Recap Project Updates Membership Drive Ranger Report Photo: Alison Christensen / P&TC photo contest Click to download. Go to friends' main page
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