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August 11, 2021

Parks & Trails Fun Quiz – August

Trees of Minnesota 2021 August - Fun Quiz 1 / 4 Which of these tree species makes up the largest volume of Minnesota's forests? Quaking Aspen Shagbark Hickory Sugar Maple Hackberry Here are the top 10 trees in Minnesota and their estimated volume in million ...
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August 5, 2021

Special Places Newsletter – Summer 2021

From the President | Legislative Session Recap | Land Project for Goodhue Pioneer State Trail | Outdoors news briefs | Glendalough State Park
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Cover of Newsletter
July 30, 2021

Despite early concerns, strong outcome for parks and trails

It took a special session of the Minnesota Legislature to keep Minnesota’ s financial affairs in order, but a new two-year $52 billion state budget was passed in late June and went into effect on July 1. Despite a tumultuous session, a government shutdown was avoided, state parks remained open and most of the policy items P&TC worked to secure as part of our legislative agenda fared well.
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Minnesota State Capitol
July 30, 2021

Glendalough State Park

Tranquility on the lakesWhen entering this quiet park, you're greeted by a self-help kioskA wooden bench alongside the creek that is canoeable.Historic lodge in picnic area has memorabilia on display inside.Quiet lakeshore on Annie Battle LakePrairie Smoke on the prairie in the park. Walt Huss/P&TC ...
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Man and boy on bridge over creek
July 9, 2021

Gateway Brown’s Creek Trail Association

Trail advocates who go the extra mile

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Brass band playing in parking lot
June 7, 2021

Parks & Trails Fun Quiz – June

2021 June - Fun Quiz 1 / 4 What percent of visitors participate in birdwatching while at a state park (based on a 2017 Visitor Survey by the MnDNR)? 57% 37% 17% 7% Four years ago, about 17% of state park visitors who were surveyed ...
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June 3, 2021

Securing the missing link to extend the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail

For years, the northern segment of this trail came to an abrupt end at a dirt road in Hay Creek Township. Across the road lay an overgrown field marked with a private property sign.
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paved trail and horse trail
June 1, 2021

Grantees begin restoring habitat with in-person events

Grantees have begun restoring habitat at parks across Minnesota. Under P&TC's habitat restoration grant program, friends groups are planting trees, removing invasive species, and helping to establish native woodland species. See the albums below for a sneak peak into some of these projects. Friends of ...
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kids filling a hole of a newly planted tree
May 28, 2021

Amidst COVID, friends group launches new grant program and recruits board members

Grants for Interpretive Activities Schools, youth groups, and individuals can now apply for funds to carry out interpretive activities at Wild River State Park. The grants would cover a wide variety of activities—they just need to focus on learning and take place in the park. ...
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orange and black butterfly
May 20, 2021

Olmsted County breaks ground on new nature center at Oxbow Park

From Friends of Oxbow Plans and fundraising are underway for developing a new nature center at Oxbow Park. Read the update on Olmsted County's website: "Olmsted County breaks ground on a new nature center at Oxbow Park" Watch project videoMore about the friends
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video still that shows rendering of Oxbow Park's new nature center
April 5, 2021

Where Gretchen the Lion once roared, park visitors will soon stroll

You wouldn’t guess it by strolling the grounds today, but the property Parks & Trails Council acquired for Charles A. Lindbergh State Park in 2020 was once famous for the menagerie of wild animals that lived there when it was the home of the Smuda Zoo.
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Newspaper clipping showing the owners of Smuda Zoo
March 24, 2021

Volunteers support bluebirds on Gateway State Trail

Bluebirds along the Gateway State Trail enjoy a helping hand from volunteers with the Gateway Brown’s Creek Trail Association (GBCTA). Since 2014, the friends group has maintained 16 houses each year, installing them in spring, monitoring the nests throughout summer, and cleaning and storing the ...
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Man in biking outfit stands in tall grass
March 15, 2021

Redwood County announces new camper cabins

Redwood County’s one and only park, Plum Creek Park, is proud to announce the addition of camper cabins for the 2021 camping season.

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three wooden cabins next to a field
March 10, 2021

House Legislative committee hears our case for state trail rehab

On Tuesday, our staff presented at the House Capital Investment Committee to share our State of the Trails report.
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Parks & Trails Council's Research Bike
March 8, 2021

Parks & Trails Fun Quiz – March

March 2021 Fun Quiz 1 / 4 What is the largest source of fine particle pollution in Minnesota? Personal wood burning (wood stoves, boilers and campfires) Road transporation (cars, trucks, buses) Factory emissions (point source) According to the MnPCA, wood burning for campfires, stoves and ...
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