The Legislature adjourned for the biennium on Monday. The dust is still settling, but we wanted to provide you with an update on where we landed with a few of our top priorities. We are very pleased to have played a crucial role in paving the way for grants of up to $2 million for trail maintenance, as well as helping fund more local parks and trails grants, and passing needed changes and grant extensions in a Legacy bill.
Community Grants for Trail Maintenance
Advocating for funding to build new parks and trails has always been a priority for the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails (GMPT) organization, but this biennium, we stepped up and helped shape a trail maintenance grant program that our members and other local governments can tap into.
In 2023, the Legislature created the Community Grants program that would make funds from the Environment and Natural Resources Fund (ENRTF) available to local governments and other entities for smaller grants. In 2025, we helped ensure that trail maintenance was a permissible use for the funds.
During the interim last year, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) drafted a report on how the program would be administered and recommended a $750,000 cap on all grants. For those of you who have done trail maintenance, you know that amount won’t get you far with true rehabilitation. Working with Rep. Josh Heintzeman and his staff, we pushed to raise the trail maintenance cap to $2 million. Multiple GMPT Board members were helpful, as was business member Stewart Crosby from SRF Consulting Group.
The House version of the LCCMR bill (H.F. 3426)—that’s the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources, which recommends spending of the ENRTF—included the $2 million cap increase, but the Senate did not. As the House and Senate were negotiating, we sent a detailed letter to the relevant authors and chairs explaining why a higher cap for trail maintenance was needed. Legislators listened, and they included the higher cap in the final version of the bill that passed the House and Senate last week and was signed by the Governor.
Funding for Local Parks and Trails
Ensuring that local parks and trails are funded is always a top priority for GMPT. We are pleased to report that in addition to funding the Community Grants Program mentioned above, the LCCMR bill (H.F. 3426) also included $3.8 million for the DNR’s local parks, trail connections, and natural and scenic area grant programs.
We had hoped that the bonding bill would also include funding for those programs, but it did not.
Improvements to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) and Extensions for Legacy Grants
Another top priority this year was legislation that modified the statute creating the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) and extended the timeline for multiple member legacy grants. GMPT worked with the Commission to introduce H.F. 3564 / S.F. 3799. The bill was heard in both bodies and was fairly non-controversial, but getting it across the finish line was far more difficult than it should have been.
The Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy bill included the extensions in its omnibus finance bill, but did not include the language relating to the Commission. The Senate Finance Chair had asked the Committee Chairs not to include policy in their finance bills. The extensions were included in the overall finance bill that passed off the Floor.
The House included both the language relating to the Commission as well as the extensions in their proposed Legacy bill. We anticipated this bill would pass easily out of committee, but it also included provisions from the Outdoor Heritage bill. During the committee discussion and vote, the GOP proposed three amendments, all of which were rejected by the DFL. The GOP refused to vote for the overall bill, so it did not advance out of committee.
For the last several weeks leading up to the end of session, GMPT’s lobbyist worked with the Commission’s Executive Director, GMPT members affected by the extensions, and a host of environmental groups concerned about the Outdoor Heritage portion of the bill. Finally, less than 4 days before the close of session, the legislators negotiated an agreement that allowed the bill to move forward. The final version of S.F. 2077 included everything GMPT and the Commission had requested.
There are other bills that we worked on and monitored, so stay tuned for a more in-depth session summary or join us at our Summer Meeting! Click here to register.
For questions on our legislative work, please reach out to GMPT Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel at eawefel@flaherty-hood.com.
The Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance (DAOA) is teaming up with the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) for the 2026 National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC), which will take place in Duluth on May 11-14, 2026.
The 2026 NORC program will explore how outdoor recreation can serve as a catalyst for restoration and revitalization—of places, communities, and systems. As outdoor recreation continues to evolve in response to social, environmental, and economic changes, this conference focuses on the role of recreation planning and management in rebuilding resilient infrastructure, fostering community well-being, strengthening governance, honoring culture and place, and fostering innovation. Sessions will offer actionable insights, inspire collaboration, and reflect forward-thinking approaches.
The National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC) brings together over 500 people including recreation resource planners, land managers, policy makers, tourism and destination stewardship partners, researchers, consultants, innovators, and leaders in nature-based outdoor recreation. This is an incredible opportunity for parks and trails professionals to connect with others in the outdoor recreation industry!
Click here to register. For more information, visit the SORP website here.
On Saturday, April 25, Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) will be hosting Celebrate Trails Day, their annual springtime celebration of America’s trails. This event invites people outside to experience firsthand the joy and impact of the nation’s trails and connected trail networks—elevating those experiences to showcase the difference trails make for the entire country. Since 2013, RTC partners have been key to bringing the celebration to communities nationwide by planning events and programming that get people outside.
RTC is planning to make the 2026 Celebrate Trails Day the biggest and best yet—and they’re inviting everyone to take part by attending an event or designing your own day on your community’s trails.
Learn more about the celebration and ways to participate on the event page of RTC’s website.
Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.
In 2025, the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) welcomed Bill Botten to the team to enhance accessibility support. Bill’s role included not only providing expert consultation on accessibility, but also leading quarterly education forums and conducting plan reviews as needed.
Despite his enthusiasm for the work, Bill informed the Commission that he would be entering retirement and reducing his professional commitments. As he prepared to step back, Bill kindly recommended a consultant he has collaborated with for over 25 years—Jennifer Skulski. Taking Bill’s recommendation to heart, the Commission contracted Jennifer for 2026 to continue and build upon this important work.
Jennifer Skulski is a nationally recognized authority on ADA/504 compliance. With over 30 years of experience spanning parks, recreation, tourism, and municipal government, Jennifer has demonstrated her expertise by conducting accessibility assessments for more than 1,500 recreation facilities and 60 national parks. She has also trained thousands of professionals in the inclusion of people with disabilities and published research on best practices for accessibility management. In 2014, Jennifer founded Skulski Consulting to work more closely with public entities on ADA action-planning. The Commission is confident that Jennifer’s extensive background and dedication will ensure excellent training and support in 2026.
The quarterly forums previously led by Bill Botten were highly popular among participants, offering valuable opportunities for learning and discussion. Looking ahead, the Commission is excited to announce that Jennifer Skulski will be conducting a forum on April 21, from 11:30am-1:00pm. The topic for this forum is: Accessible Exterior Surfaces Part 1: Accessible Routes, Trails, and Shared Use Paths Not all “trails” are equal, especially when it comes to the application of the accessibility standards and guidelines. This session will cover the differences between accessible routes, outdoor recreation access routes, trails and shared use paths, along with the design considerations for new construction and alterations. Upon completion of this session, learners will be able to:
Click here to join the forum!
Below is a contribution from GMPT Business Member Widseth. For more information, please visit widseth.com.
Creating Value and Inspiring Communities Great projects happen when people with different perspectives come together to solve problems creatively. Our team of architects, engineers, scientists, and surveyors works side by side to approach each project thoughtfully and collaboratively. Since opening our first office in Crookston in 1975, Widseth has grown into a multidisciplinary firm with 13 offices, 18 specialties, and more than 270 professionals. While we have expanded, our approach has stayed the same: focus on strong client relationships, deliver projects that serve communities, and grow thoughtfully. We work with clients across a spectrum of markets—government, commercial, K–12 education, health care, manufacturing, energy infrastructure, housing, and arts and culture. Our expanding services, including archaeology and communications, allow us to guide projects from concept through completion. Our mission is simple: Create Value. Inspire Greatness. Because we bring different disciplines together early in the process, we uncover solutions that save time and money while creating meaningful outcomes. One area where this integrated approach really shines is landscape architecture.
Designing Spaces That Bring Communities Together Parks, trails, streetscapes, and outdoor gathering spaces are where communities come to life. Widseth’s Landscape Architecture team works with municipalities, organizations, and community leaders to design spaces that are welcoming, functional, and connected to the natural environment. Our process starts with understanding the land. We study topography, drainage, vegetation, and existing land use to develop designs that work in harmony with the environment. Collaboration extends to the community through public meetings, workshops, and design charrettes, ensuring the spaces reflect the vision and needs of those who will use them. Sustainability and resilience are central to our designs. Rain gardens, bioswales, native plantings, and low-impact site planning help landscapes thrive while protecting the environment. 3D renderings and master plans allow communities to see projects come to life and to provide feedback before construction begins.
Building Connections Through Design Thoughtful landscape architecture does more than create beautiful spaces. It connects residents, supports local economies, and encourages people to gather outdoors. Widseth offers services ranging from park master planning and trail design to sustainable site planning, streetscape design, community master planning, and interpretive signage. Working with organizations like Greater Minnesota Parks & Trails allows us to expand outdoor access and enhance recreational opportunities throughout the state. Whether designing a trailhead, planning a park, or collaborating on infrastructure, we aim to create spaces that make communities stronger and more vibrant. Widseth combines our technical expertise with a friendly, approachable team ready to help communities envision and build places where people can connect, explore, and enjoy the outdoors.
Below is a contribution from GMPT Member City of Owatonna. For more information, please visit owatonna.gov.
In partnership with the City of Owatonna, Great River Greening (GRG)—a St. Paul-based organization that’s Minnesota’s leader in nature-based climate solutions—recently conducted a biochar demonstration at Kaplan’s Woods Park. The demonstration involved an overview of how biochar kilns convert waste wood into soil-enriching biochar, a cleaner-burning alternative to open-pile burning.
Biochar is a way to dispose of buckthorn and other woody debris in a specific low-oxygen environment, transforming it into stabilized carbon that enriches the soil. It provides many benefits to the soil: it improves aeration and decreases compaction, stores nutrients, increases the soil’s water-holding capacity, improves the development and growth of tree roots, and reduces runoff into surface and groundwater.
Thank you to everyone who attended! For more information on the benefits and applications of biochar, visit GRG’s Biochar Initiative page on their website.
Below is a message from GMPT Chair Joe Tart. You can reach him at joseph.tart@chisagocounty.us.
Hello GMPT members! First off, I would like to thank everyone who joined us for our annual Legislative Action Day on March 4! This year’s event kicked off with a presentation from GMPT Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel, who provided an in-depth discussion of GMPT’s legislative priorities and some helpful tips on lobbying legislators. Then, we heard from featured speakers—including representatives from the Trust for Public Land, Minnesota Land Trust, and Friends of the Mississippi River—who discussed strategies for protecting Minnesota’s lands.
The event also offered insight from Conservation Minnesota’s Nels Paulsen, who spoke about how constitutional amendments and new community grants play into parks and trails funding. Executive Director Renee Mattson from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) wrapped up our programming with an overview of the Commission’s latest work, and then members were treated to a tour of the Capitol Complex by GMPT staff before heading off to their meetings with legislators. This event continues to be an important opportunity for our organization as a whole to advocate for parks and trails issues at the Legislature, so we greatly appreciate everyone who made the trip and made their voices heard! If you would like to review materials from the event, you can access them using the links below.
Now, let’s look ahead. Day by day, the weather is getting warmer, and you know what that means? Spring is almost upon us! It also means that many (if not all) of you are busy preparing for the summer season and the crowds that come with it. As you get your parks and trails facilities ready for the influx of visitors, we would love to hear your stories and see your hard work in action. So, please reach out to us at greatermnparkstrails@gmail.com if you would like to share your major projects, upcoming events, or your team’s summer preparations, and you could be featured in our next GMPT newsletter!
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking applicants for the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Community Grant Program Advisory Council | Minnesota DNR. The DNR encourages Minnesotans interested in serving on the advisory council to submit an online application. This advisory council will provide strategic guidance to the recently authorized ENRTF Community Grant Program. By reviewing grant policies and guidelines, program structures, and recipient and program/project eligibility, the council will promote transparency, accessibility, equity, and effectiveness in the allocation of ENRTF Community Grant Program resources. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on April 10, 2026. Click here to apply. The DNR has also submitted their required report to the legislature about how they plan to implement the new Community Grants Program. Here are some key takeaways from that report:
To learn more about the ENRTF Community Grant Program Advisory Council, visit their webpage here.
The deadline to submit applications for Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 2026 DNR Outdoor Recreation and Natural & Scenic Areas Grant Programs and for Federal Recreational Trail, Local Trail Connections, and Regional Trails programs will close on March 31, 2026. See below for grant-specific information. 2026 Outdoor Recreation and Natural & Scenic Areas Grant RFP
These grants help local governments throughout the state create partnerships with the DNR to fund projects within local parks. Eligibility requirements, deadlines, contact information and other details can be found on the DNR website at Recreation grants | Minnesota DNR or on the following program links:
The completed application is due by 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2026. If you would like feedback on your application, please submit it by February 27, 2026. 2026 Trail Grants RFP
These trail grants help local governments create partnerships with the DNR to fund trail projects throughout the state. Eligibility requirements, deadlines, contact information and other details can be found on the DNR website at Recreation grants | Minnesota DNR or on the following program links:
The completed LTC and Regional Trail grant applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2026. If you would like feedback on your LTC or Regional grant application, please submit it by March 11, 2026. For questions about these grants, please contact Jennifer Bubke at Jennifer.Bubke@state.mn.us.
Conservation Minnesota has announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2026 Blazing Star Award. The Blazing Star Award is about acknowledging and celebrating local governments for leading on exciting projects that advance conservation, climate resilience, environmental protection, or outdoor recreation opportunities. Local governments play a crucial role in the quality of our daily lives, and Conservation Minnesota seeks to share your success stories.
Applications are being accepted until Wednesday, March 18, at noon. Local governments like cities, counties, and Tribal nations are encouraged to apply. Any local government in Minnesota that has completed or started a project since 2024 can apply for the award. Staff, leaders, and anyone who believes that their local government should be recognized are encouraged to apply. Click here to apply!
You can also visit the Conservation Minnesota Blazing Star Award website to apply, see commonly asked questions, and learn more about the last round of winners. If you have any questions or problems with the form, please reach out to avery@conservationminnesota.org.
2025 News Archives
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