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Legislators’ attempt to open State Parks to off-highway vehicles kept at bay in 2019
During the 2019 Legislative Session, a handful of legislators* tried to advance a bill (HF 48/SF 1568) that would mandate a pilot project at Hayes Lake and Lake Vermilion State Parks to allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to use the campground and access routes within these state parks.
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Sibley State Park celebrates centennial
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Full slate of activities scheduled for June 8 Everyone’s invited to celebrate Sibley State Park’s centennial year on Saturday, June 8, with entertainment and family-friendly activities all day. The park is located near the west-central city of New …
Bridge installed across Cannon River for the Mill Towns State Trail
From Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail A bridge was put into place on Friday, May 24 on the west side of Hwy 21 over the Cannon River for the Mill Towns State Trail. Once complete, the bridge and newly constructed section of trail ...
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[CANCELLED] Trail Family Fun Day on the Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail on July 13
From Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail Association [CANCELLED] Saturday, July 13, 9 am to 12pm Get out on the trail for some summer fun, adventure, and a scavenger hunt! The Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail Association is hosting a family fun day on Saturday, July 13. Guests will enjoy ...
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3rd Annual Big Woods Photo Contest Launches
From Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Friends of Nerstrand has launched its 3rd annual photo contest. Winning photos will be published in a 2020 Calendar, to be used as a fundraiser by the Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Proceeds will help ...
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Support, volunteers welcome for Heartland Spur Trail project
From Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee A member of the Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee wrote a Letter to the Editor highlighting an overview of the spur trail development. Read this letter in The Park Rapids Enterprise May 4 edition: "Support, volunteers welcome for Heartland ...
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Engineering Study Slated for Heartland Trail Spur
Our Friends Group Partner, the Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee, has been advocating for the development of a trail connecting the Heartland State Trail into Itasca State Park.Read about their progress in The Park Rapids Enterprise April 24 article:"Engineering study slated for Heartland Trail Spur"
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Spring Clean Up at Lake Maria on April 27
From Friends of Lake Maria State Park Please join other park volunteers as we help prepare the park for the summer season. Volunteers will be raking, working on trails and clearing bucktorn near the trail center. Lunch will be provided. Registration is needed for this ...
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Friends of Scandia 2019 Spring Speaker Series
From Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails announces its spring 2019 season of speakers. Events are open to the public. For more information contact Janie O'Connor (651) 481-3152 or friendsscandiaparks@gmail.com. Friends of Scandia members Building Resiliency to Climate Change ...
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Minnesota bids farewell to Conservation Pioneer
Martin Kellogg quietly helped create Voyageurs National Park, Grand Portage State Park and numerous environmental organizations, dead at 88
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Walking for Glendalough—24 years and counting
The community around Glendalaugh State Park has a deep connection with and commitment to its state park. Each year, the Glendalough Park Partners hosts the "Walk for Glendalough," a day where visitors walk, bike, or hike the many trails within the park. Many walk participants ...
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2019 Day on the Hill Recap
We had a great day as supporters from all around the state gathered for our annual Day on the Hill event on March 27. Minnesota State Parks and Trails budget is a primary concern for this year's legislative session. Additionally, we continue to advocate that ...
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P&TC Issues Grants to Seven Friends Groups to Complete Habitat Restoration Projects
Seven volunteer-led friends groups will implement habitat restoration projects at state parks this year, with support from the Minnesota DNR and funds issued by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC). The projects include planting trees, protecting young saplings, and diversifying tree canopy.
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Monumental Public Lands Act Passed by Congress
The passage of the Natural Resources Management Act in Congress is a monumental success for the protection of our nation’s public lands, and specifically parks and trails in Minnesota. The Act passed the House on Feb. 26 in a landslide 363-62 vote, two weeks after …
Update on DNR’s planning process for OHV campground in NW MN
The DNR expects to release its final location recommendation for building an off-highway vehicle campground (OHVs, see definition) in northwestern Minnesota in late March. This extends the original anticipated timeline from February. The DNR received nearly 1,400 comments during the public-input period of Nov. 26 …
