Education and interpretive services

Quick Facts

Source: 
Parks & Trails Fund
Status: 
In Progress
Activity Type: 
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected 
Statewide
The Division of Parks and Trails is creating innovative programs to attract new audiences, particularly young families, to Minnesota state parks and trails. Skill-building programs, such as "I Can Camp!," provide a trial opportunity by eliminating the barriers of needing to have pre-existing knowledge or gear for the activity. Special events, such as National Get Outdoors Day, generate enthusiasm and a sense of urgency to visit. Gateway programs introduce visitors to a host of outdoor pursuits, including those offered by other divisions of the Minnesota DNR. Interactive touch-screen displays, videocasts and podcasts keep the Division of Parks and Trails current with the ways the target audience wants to receive information, while engaging interpretive exhibits can't help but catch the attention of visitors. The addition of the new Minnesota Naturalist Corps allows the division to interact with more people.
Status: 
In Progress
Start Date: 
July 2009

Project Details by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year(s): 
2013
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 6, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a) (1)
Appropriation Language 
Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources (a)$14,262,000 the first year and $14,603,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to: (1)Connect people to the outdoors; (2)Acquire land and create opportunities; (3)Maintain existing holdings; and (4)Improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$942,250
Fiscal Year(s): 
2012
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 6, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a) (1)
Appropriation Language 
Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources (a)$14,262,000 the first year and $14,603,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to: (1)Connect people to the outdoors; (2)Acquire land and create opportunities; (3)Maintain existing holdings; and (4)Improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$942,250
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 
The division's target for 2012 is to offer more than 5,000 interpretive programs statewide.
Measurable Outcome(s) 
In 2012, a total of 9,156 statewide interpretive programs were offered to the public. This far exceeded the 5,000 program goal.
Fiscal Year(s): 
2011
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2009, Chp. 172, Art. 3, Sec. 2 (1)
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$1,180,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 
The division's target for this year is to offer more than 5,000 interpretive programs statewide.
Measurable Outcome(s) 
The division has significantly exceeded the original goal for the number of interpretive programs programs. In calendar years 2009 and 2010, 5,374 and 8,571 programs were held, respectively. In 2011, a total of 6,172 interpretive programs were delivered. This lower number reflects a three-week state shutdown.
Fiscal Year(s): 
2010
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2009, Chp. 172, Art. 3, Sec. 2 (1)
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$573,000

Project Manager

Pat
Arndt
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN
55155
651-259-5578
Email: 
patricia.arndt@state.mn.us
Related Topics: 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Parks & Trails Fund, Statewide