All News

January 31, 2020

First ever newsletter for Lake Louise State Park Association

From Lake Louise State Park Association In This Issue Manager update Winter in the Park Open House recap Candlelight Walk recap 2020 event planning Photo by: Cindy Hamlin Click to download Go to friends' main page
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singers entertain under the shade of the picnic shelter
January 29, 2020

Partnership restores patches of habitat at seven state parks

In 2019, Parks & Trails Council partnered with seven friends groups to spearhead habitat restoration projects at state parks. This work was made possible by a generous grant from the Henry S. Crosby Foundation. 2019 by the Numbers $25,364 7 237 11 493 Funds granted ...
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friends and youth celebrate having planted a tree
January 13, 2020

Special Places Newsletter – Winter 2020

Outdoors news briefs | Our land project at Tettegouche State Park | 2020 Legislative Agenda | Land and Water Conservation Fund | Upcoming events | Heartland-Itasca Spur Trail

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January 6, 2020

Behind the scenes: Planning a Centennial Celebration for Whitewater State Park

From Friends of Whitewater State Park The Centennial of a park is a BIG deal! It is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, the naturalists at Whitewater State Park, which was established in 1919, put together a plan to host a special event each month of ...
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shovels and trees that are ready to be planted
December 11, 2019

2019 Friends Group Workshops – In Review

Looking back at the friends group regional workshops In 2019, four regional workshops brought together friends group leaders from across Minnesota to network and discuss topics relevant to friends groups. Let's look back at those workshops to see what we've learned! 139Participants 38Friends Groups Represented ...
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Group gathered outside
November 25, 2019

Sharing your park or trail with your family this holiday season

An update from Arielle Courtney, DNR Sharing your park is caring for your park (or trail!). While some of you may seek solace from the stresses of the holiday season by taking some alone time in nature, don’t forget to bring your friends, family, and ...
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Winter group picture at event
November 21, 2019

“Milkweed and Monarchs” and other news at Glendalough

From Glendalough Park Partners fall 2019 newsletter Hikers and bikers observed two resurgences along the Glendalough trails in the summer of 2019 – milkweed and monarch butterflies. The interdependence of these two prairie natives cannot be overstated. Click to read full newsletter The monarch butterfly ...
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November 21, 2019

Engaging Younger and More Diverse Audiences

From Ashley Pethan, Friends Group Coordinator, P&TC A common question I hear from friends groups is: How do we get more young people involved? You're not alone. This question is being asked by organizations all over the country in the outdoor recreation and conservation sector. ...
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kids sit in meditation with park ranger outside
November 15, 2019

Eagle Scout Creates Two Canoe-In Campsites at Chester Woods Park

From Friends of Chester Woods It's no longer necessary to travel all the way to the Boundary Waters to experience primitive camping with your canoe. On a Saturday in September 2019, Preston Satzke along with family and friends installed two canoe in campsites on the ...
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boy scouts pose with a campsite sign
October 30, 2019

Best ways to help your state park or trail this season

An update from Arielle Courtney, DNR Fall colors are all but finished and while we consider this the end of our “busy” season in state park and trails, our work is far from over! And there is plenty still to do to make sure buildings, ...
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Group of supporters in representatives office
October 25, 2019

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 ...
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kids wading in the river with nets
October 21, 2019

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 ...
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kids and naturalist walk along a gravel path
October 14, 2019

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, ...
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bird silhouette
October 11, 2019

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.
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Fifth-graders explore the woods at Lake Maria
October 8, 2019

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 ...
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People trail run