December 17, 2021

Welcome along on a forest bath

Forest bathing: what an intriguing term. Have you heard about this idea? If you’re like me, you’ve seen the idea popping up here and there, but have never come across a satisfying explanation of what it is, exactly. So, when I saw an opportunity to participate in a 2-hour, guided forest-bathing session at a nearby park, I jumped at the chance to finally figure out this mystery.
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Five people waking in the woods
December 17, 2021

Through the Gateway – Fall/Winter 2021

From Gateway Brown's Creek Trail Association In This Issue President's Letter DNR Update Native Plant Restoration Volunteers Award Click image to read newsletter Go to friends' main page
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December 16, 2021

2021 Recap – Friends of the Jackson County Trails

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In This Issue Trail Projects Bicycle Friendly Community Status Activity Highlights Click image to read Go to friends' main page
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Two volunteers stand next to tandem bicycle with twinkle lights on wheels
December 14, 2021

700 people listen to music at Lake Bemidji summer concert series

From Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park At Lake Bemidji State Park this summer, park visitors had the opportunity to listen to live music 13 times in July, August, and September. Local musicians, like the Bemidji Bogtrotters and Not Your Average Family Band, took to ...
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Attendees watch live music in visitor center
December 14, 2021

City of Jackson named a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community

From Friends of the Jackson County Trails In 2018, a story was written by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota regarding Jackson's Bike Friendly Community success... "Think of prairie breezes rolling across tall grasses. Think of frostbitten winters and locust swarms and bumper crops. Think of ...
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Volunteers fix multiple bicycles
November 30, 2021

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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nature center with garden and bench
November 29, 2021

DNR Update – Gratitude, new leadership, and 2022 goals

An update from Arielle Courtney, DNR I hope everyone is staying well and enjoying the holiday season so far as we approach the end of the year. I can confidently say on behalf of the DNR and all of the staff you work with at ...
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volunteers discussing how to best approach the protective fencing
November 16, 2021

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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November 9, 2021

Habitat Restoration

November 2021: Q&A Tune in to this Q&A session to learn about the 2022 grant program and the types of projects it will fund. January 2021: Webinar Learn from a DNR expert about how friends groups can support restoration projects in parks and trails and ...
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November 1, 2021

Capital Investment Committee hears pitch for Casey Jones Trail Funding

From Friends of the Casey Jones State Trail Association Friends of the Jackson County Trails has been working hard to develop an off-road trail for mountain biking, hiking, and snowshoeing. Read the article in Pipestone County Star October 29 edition: "Capital Investment Committee hears pitch ...
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new paved trail segment with fields on each side
October 19, 2021

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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invasive plants loaded to transport
October 12, 2021

Lake Maria Messenger – Fall 2021

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park In This Issue Stargazing Park news Campsite cooking Nature Day reflection Click image to view newsletter Go to friends' main page
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October 8, 2021

Grow the Land Fund Goal Reached!

When P&TC’s Land Fund was stretched to its max with recent land acquisitions, we reached out to our members to ask for help in funding this critical tool. And you all responded in force to ensure P&TC’s work of acquiring land for parks and trails …

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October 8, 2021

Parks & Trails Fun Quiz: October

What's in a name? Test your knowledge of the origin, meaning and other fun facts about Minnesota parks and trails names.   October 2021 Fun Quiz 1 / 5 The Gitchi Gami State Trail derives its name from an Anishinabe (Ojibwe) word that means what? ...
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September 30, 2021

Friends raise funds for trail environmental assessment and more

Amidst the pandemic, Friends of the Lake Vermilion Trail has been quite busy. First, they formalized from a work group to a nonprofit organization in August of 2020. Then, they immediately hit the ground running to raise money—one of the main reasons for formalizing the ...
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volunteer flagging for environmental assessment