This grant program is designed to support Friends Groups of parks and trails in Minnesota. Friends Groups can apply for funds to support habitat restoration projects.
Grant Guide
Overview
Application & Review Process
Draft Application: January 23, 2023
Final Application: February 6, 2023
Please download the Grant Overview before applying. Be sure to connect with your land management agency contact and the Friends Group Program Manager from P&TC (651-370-7907) while developing your group’s application. Applications can be submitted to friends@parksandtrails.org.
Funding Amount
$500 – $2,500
The minimum grant request is $500 and the maximum grant request is $2,500. Up to $15,000 in small grants will be issued to qualifying friends groups with appropriate projects in 2023. A cash match is not required, but projects with a cash match will receive careful consideration.
Eligibility
Projects
Projects should be focused on habitat restoration. For example: planting tree/native plants, protecting trees/native plants, seed collection, and invasive species removal.
Land/Resource
People/Engagement
Applicants
Applicants must be a Friends Group Partner of Parks & Trails Council.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Fiscal Client
Land Type & Geography
Projects that take place on parks and trails in Minnesota are eligible.
Parks
Trails
Statistics & Examples
P&TC started issuing grants to friends groups in 2018. Below are the statistics for total funds allocated each year.
Funding History
| Year | Funds Awarded | # Projects | Average Award |
| 2023 | $10,000 | 4 | $2,500 |
| 2022 | $15,050 | 8 | $1,881 |
| 2021 | $15,000 | 12 | $1,250 |
| 2020 | $0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2019 | $32,864 | 15 | $2,190 |
| 2018 | $24,696 | 5 | $4,939 |
2022 Project Distribution
2023 Grants
2022 Grants
2021 Grants
2019 Grants
Creating water quality activity kit
Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park created a water quality educational kit that will be used at the park for youth programs and activities.
Youth rock climbing day
Friends of Blue Mounds State Park hosted a rock climbing day for kids, including a knot tying activity.
Hosting two field trips for 3rd graders
Friends of Lake Maria State Park hosted two field trips for 159 3rd graders focused on hands-on learning at the park.
Starting a bike fleet for field trips
Gitchi-Gami Trail Association established a new bike fleet at a local school and organized the inaugural “Bike to Birches” field trip to nearby state parks.
Developing youth activity materials
Friends of Tettegouche State Park helped develop materials for a toddler time program, wind and solar energy activity, and historical fire starting kit.
Field trip: “A Day at the Park”
Friends of Wild River State Park hosted a field trip event for local K-6 students to spend a day at the park doing various outdoor-themed activities.
Acquiring video equipment
Friends of Whitewater State Park purchase video equipment to develop safe, remote educational programming for local schools.
Assembling youth discovery kits
Friends of Minneopa State Park assembled three sets of 10 youth discovery kits—animal tracks, birds, and wildflowers.
Erecting deer exclosure fence
Friends of Zippel Bay State Park constructed a deer exclosure fence around 6 acres of forest to help promote forest regeneration.
Improving forest health
Friends of Tettegouche State Park installed tree cages around 11 trees to help improve long-term forest health.
Planting native trees and shrubs
Friends of Whitewater State Park planted native trees and shrubs to improve habitat and shade.
Planting and protecting trees
Friends of Minneopa planted and protected 22 trees to improve habitat and shade.
Remove and replace ash trees
Friends of Blue Mounds State Park helped to remove and replace vulnerable ash trees, improving forest canopy and providing shade.
Erecting deer exclosure fence
Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park installed a deer exclosure fence around 5 acres of forest to aid in forest regeneration.
Restoring land by cabins at Sibley
The friends removed invasive vegetation near park camper cabins and replaced it with native trees and shrubs to improve habitat and provide shade and privacy screening.
2018 Grants
Oak savanna restoration
Frontenac State Park Association planted trees and native prairie forbs to help restore oak savanna.
Installing tree cages around young oaks
Friends of Wild River State Park installed tree cages around young, naturally growing oak trees to protect them from deer browse.
Restoring wood edge habitat
Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park installed 0.5 acres of native plants and trees along a wooded edge.
Replacing vulnerable ash trees
Friends of Maplewood planted and protected 15 large sugar maple trees to replace ash trees that were succumbing to emerald ash borer.
Installing tree cages around young pines
Friends of Itasca State Park installed 460 cages to protect young, naturally growing pine trees from deer browse.