Friends Groups

February 7, 2022

Friends of Scandia Newsletter 2022

From Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails In This Issue Gateway extension Plant Walks Lilleskogen Invasive Shrub Removal Click image to view newsletter Go to friends' main page
Read More
February 7, 2022

Lake Maria Messenger – Winter 2022

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park In This Issue Trumpeter swans Winter animal adaptations Trail conditions New member welcome Animal tracks Click image to view newsletter Go to friends' main page
Read More
February 3, 2022

Friends have embarked on ambitious $1,000,000 fundraising campaign

A new nature center is getting built at Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo, and the Friends of Oxbow is rallying support to enhance the nature center experience once it's constructed. Since the '80s, Friends of Oxbow has been supporting the park's educational, environmental, and recreational ...
Read More
blooming flowers and walking paths in front of building
January 26, 2022

Special Events

Details One way that friends groups engage community members is through special events. These events provide people with a connection to the park or trail, they may help raise funds for the group, and they promote the stewardship work the friends group provides. Hear from ...
Read More
January 19, 2022

Friends’ long-term interventions to manage invasive buckthorn

From Friends of Chester Woods Much of Chester Woods is infiltrated with buckthorn and other woody invasive specis, especially in the undeveloped areas of our park. We have forested areas where buckthorn is almost the exclusive species on the forest floor. The Friends of Chester ...
Read More
Person stands at intersection of chemically treated buckthorn and untreated buckthorn
January 4, 2022

Volunteering with the DNR – Survey

An update from Arielle Courtney, DNR Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed a safe, healthy celebration of the winter holidays and got the opportunity to spend a bit extra time at our state parks and trails. As I write this, I’m planning ...
Read More
volunteer in a bright yellow vest
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
Read More
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
Read More
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 ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
nature center with garden and bench
November 22, 2021

Friends of Sunfish Lake Park

Parks & Trails Council is proud to partner with this independent friends group.Parks & Trails Council cannot accept donations on behalf of this friends group. Friends of Sunfish Lake Park Mission Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake Park stands as a symbol of the stewardship ...
Read More
Deer
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
Read More
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 ...
Read More
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 ...
Read More
new paved trail segment with fields on each side