All News
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 ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
Volunteers Needed to Clean Bird Houses
From Lake Wobegon Trails Association Would you like to enjoy the last of the fall days outside on the Lake Wobegon Trail? Stearns County Parks could use your help! Throughout the trail there are bluebird houses that need to be opened and cleaned out. Biking, ...
Read More
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.
Read More
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 ...
Read More
Special Places Newsletter – Fall 2019
Photo Contest Winners | Partnering on youth engagement | Tettegouche geology | Cannon Valley Trail Count | Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park
Rewards and challenges of being a parks and trails manager
An update from Arielle Courtney, DNR Whenever I tell people I work for DNR Parks and Trails, I usually receive one of several reactions. The first reaction is usually delight at the idea of playing with frogs and butterflies all day, what a lucky person ...
Read More
Fall Festival at Anderson Park on Sept. 21
From Friends of Anderson Park Anderson Park’s 10th Annual Fall Festival is happening on Saturday, September 21! Both old and new activities are planned, with something for everyone: live animals, a climbing hill, a climbing wall, a wetland plant tour, canoeing/kayaking, new spotting scopes on ...
Read More
Border Bike: The Official Interstate Ride IA/MN on August 24
Bike the to the border and beyond! Prairie Visions is supporting the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail Association in hosting an Iowa to Minnesota bike ride. The event includes multiple bike route options. Family Route: 22 miles round trip, entirely on the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail ...
Read More
Willard Munger State Trail improvement projects temporarily close two bridges
The MnDNR has temporarily closed two trail bridges on the Willard Munger State Trail starting July 29, as crews work to improve the bridge surface. The bridges will re-open after Sept. 30. The two closures are located at:
Read More
Working with Friends to improve landscapes at seven state parks
Trees, trees, trees! Earlier this spring, volunteers, young and old, could be found with shovels in hand at seven state parks—Blue Mounds, Lake Bemidji, Minneopa, Sibley, Tettegouche, and Whitewater—where they were planting and protecting trees (and shrubs) in key areas of the landscape.
Read More
Report reveals time to invest in state trails is now
The second edition of our “State of the Trails” report is out. Building on our previous efforts, this report provides a comprehensive assessment of the condition of all 22 paved state trails in Minnesota.
Read More
Pollinator Survey – Butterflies, Beetles, and Bees, Oh My!
From Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails Sunday, August 11, 10am-12pm Join us for a special event at William O'Brien State Park where you'll learn to identify and survey our fascinating native pollinators! No experience needed. Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails is partnering with the MN DNR to ...
Read More
Special Places Newsletter – Summer 2019
In this issue:
Research: State of the Trails Report
Land Protection: Temperance River State Park
Public Policy: Session recap
Community: Partnering on habitat projects
Memoriam: Martin Kellogg
Commnuity: Lake Wobegon Trail Association
Read More
Meet DNR’s New Parks and Trails Partnership Consultant
The DNR has created a new staff position—Parks & Trails Partnership Consultant—that will invest energy in variety of partner-related initiatives across the state. Arielle Courtney takes on that role, transitioning from her position at the DNR as a Principal Planner. Parks & Trails Council looks ...
Read More
