All News

June 5, 2018

Frontenac to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day on June 9

From Frontenac State Park Association — Volunteers from Frontenac State Park Association are partnering with park staff to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 9 from 1 – 3 pm. The park will offer guided nature walks, information about the park’s bluebird nesting …

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woman resting on bench
June 3, 2018

Photos from the June 2 planting party

On June 2, volunteers from the Frontenac State Park Association along with park staff, planted several oak trees and native forbes in the park. The event was funded in part by a grant from Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota.
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Oak savanna restoration project tree planting on June 2, 2018
May 31, 2018

Nineteen projects receive funding during 2018 legislative session

Overall, the 2018 legislative session was a fairly good one for parks and trails. On May 30, Gov. Dayton signed the bonding bill, which included funding for 19 of the 25 projects we were advocating for in our legislative agenda this year. Projects receiving full …

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screenshot of webpage with 2018 investment projects
May 31, 2018

2018 Legislative Recap

The 2018 legislative session closed with a flurry of activity over its final weekend, and a host of bills were passed in the final hours of session that impact Minnesota’s parks and trails. Now that the legislature is adjourned until next year and all the …

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May 23, 2018

ATVs in state parks

Allows the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Hayes Lake State Park Campground, and directs the commissioner of natural resources to provide ATV access routes to said campgrounds.

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Woman pointing to "No ATVs Permitted" sign along Taconite State Trail
May 18, 2018

Legislative Briefing for May 14-18

Last week we issued yet another call-to-action for our supporters to tell lawmakers that all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) don’t belong in Minnesota State Parks. Your voices were heard! On Monday of this week, the conference committee tasked with reconciling the Omnibus Supplemental Budget Bill (HF 4099 / SF 3656) decided against a controversial provision that would have allowed ATVs to use the campground and access routes at Hayes Lake State Park.

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MN Capitol dome
May 18, 2018

Op-Ed in Duluth News Tribune: Speak up on bill to open state parks to ATVs

On May 15 the Duluth News Tribune published an opinion written by Steve Thorne who is is a former deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and a past president of the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota. We fully concur with Thorne’s …

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May 18, 2018

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park being enhanced with two volunteer projects this summer

Volunteers from the Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods are rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty as they partner with park staff on two exciting projects this summer. The first project is a habitat restoration project on half an acre near the main ...
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May 11, 2018

Legislative Briefing for May 7-11

With just over a week left until adjournment, lawmakers are racing to complete a long list of legislative priorities, including a tax bill, a bonding bill, a supplemental budget, and numerous policy changes. A number of key pieces of legislation affecting parks and trails continue …

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May 9, 2018

Lawmakers need to approve urgent funding for DNR facilities

From MnDNR By Tom Landwehr Let’s imagine if you didn’t do routine maintenance on your house. The furnace tune up you missed turns into a broken heating system. The damp spot in your basement becomes a moldy, unhealthy mess. The small leak in your roof …

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May 8, 2018

DNR’s big vision: a weekend full of accessible outdoor adventures

From MnDNR Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr has a big vision for capital investment this year: to create a whole weekend of accessible infrastructure at one of Minnesota’s most visited state’s parks. The target of his ambition is William O’Brien State Park, located …

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William O'Brien State Park. Debbie Kippen/P&TC Photo Contest
May 7, 2018

Decades later, Mt. Tom still provides fantastic views

From MNDNR Sibley State Park icon remains jewel in Kandiyohi County Rising above the treetops at Sibley State Park is an icon of Kandiyohi County –Mt. Tom and its viewing shelter. The shelter, constructed in 1938, became a destination for people who visited one of …

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May 4, 2018

P&TC awards $5,000 grants to Friends Groups for restoration projects in state parks

Five volunteer-led Friends Groups have each received a $5,000 grant from Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota to spearhead habitat restoration projects within state parks. Parks & Trails Council worked with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to identify potential projects and overlap them with …

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April 24, 2018

Parks and Trails Legacy Amendment Celebration at St. John’s University

From Parks & Trails Legacy Advisory Committee Join in celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment at this free event for central Minnesota! Spread the word and bring your friends and family! The College of Saint Benedict …

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Legacy Logo
April 23, 2018

Legislative Briefing

The 2018 legislative session continues to creep towards its conclusion. Last week marked the third and final committee deadline, and all the major policy and finance committees have now released, amended and passed their omnibus bills. Those bills now have only one or two more stops …

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Minnesota State Capitol