All News

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
October 7, 2019

Special Places Newsletter – Fall 2019

Photo Contest Winners | Partnering on youth engagement | Tettegouche geology | Cannon Valley Trail Count | Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park

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Cover of newsletter
October 3, 2019

Rewards and challenges of being a parks and trails manager

An update from Arielle Courtney, DNR Whenever I tell people I work for DNR Parks and Trails, I usually receive one of several reactions. The first reaction is usually delight at the idea of playing with frogs and butterflies all day, what a lucky person ...
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People touring Little Elk Preserve
August 29, 2019

Fall Festival at Anderson Park on Sept. 21

From Friends of Anderson Park Anderson Park’s 10th Annual Fall Festival is happening on Saturday, September 21! Both old and new activities are planned, with something for everyone:  live animals, a climbing hill, a climbing wall, a wetland plant tour, canoeing/kayaking, new spotting scopes on ...
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Overlooking Horseleg Lake adjacent to land P&TCM acquire for the park
August 14, 2019

Border Bike: The Official Interstate Ride IA/MN on August 24

Bike the to the border and beyond! Prairie Visions is supporting the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail Association in hosting an Iowa to Minnesota bike ride. The event includes multiple bike route options. Family Route: 22 miles round trip, entirely on the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail ...
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Border Bike Ride banner with trail
August 14, 2019

Willard Munger State Trail improvement projects temporarily close two bridges

The MnDNR has temporarily closed two trail bridges on the Willard Munger State Trail starting July 29, as crews work to improve the bridge surface. The bridges will re-open after Sept. 30. The two closures are located at:
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