Landscape Reconstruction on Division of Parks and Trails Lands

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$306,675
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$391,567
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$356,477
2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$343,762
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$290,398
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$399,148
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$333,128
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$508,851
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$214,000
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$650,915
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$729,000
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$311,829
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$311,829
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$546,000
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$654,000
Fund Source
Parks & Trails Fund
Status
In Progress
Activity Type
Restoration/Enhancement
Project Overview

This program is to restore acres of state parks and trails land to native plant communities. MS 86A.05 directs PAT to preserve, perpetuate and restore natural features in state parks that were present in the area of the park at the time of European settlement. Approximately 31 restoration projects have been completed, are in progress, or will be implemented in the spring of 2012, at over 20 state park units. These projects total 1,283 acres.

About the Issue

Restoration of native plant communities is a multi-year process with prairies requiring about a 5 year period and forested sites about 10 years before they are considered established. In cases like prairies or fire-dependent forests, there is a need to insure periodic prescribed burns are conducted to maintain the restoration. Spot treatment of invasives is also needed to insure the restoration doesn't become degraded.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2023 Regular Session Ch. 40 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$28,572,000 the first year and $25,524,000 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.

2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$306,675
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division anticipates restoring & reconstructing about 300 acres of prairies, forests and wetlands on Parks & Trails administered lands.  Previous 5 years average is 541 acres/yr. but last year only 235 acres were restored.  This decrease is a reflection of a few things: much restoration work in State Parks has been accomplished and the remaining restorations (except as part of new acquisitions) are more difficult to access and site preparation is more difficult.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2021 First Special Session Ch. 1 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)
Appropriation Language

$21712000 the first year and $22149000 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

2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$391,567
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division  anticipates  restoring & reconstructing about 650 acres of prairies, forests and wetlands on Parks & Trails administered lands.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division  initiated restoration on 235 acres of prairies, forests and wetlands on Parks & Trails administered lands.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2021 First Special Session Ch. 1 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)
Appropriation Language

$21712000 the first year and $22149000 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

2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$356,477
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division anticipates restoring & reconstructing about 350 acres. Total restoration acreage is getting smaller in part because "easier" restorations have been completed. Current restorations are less accessible and require more site preparation.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division  initiated restoration on 672 acres of prairies, forests and wetlands on Parks & Trails administered lands.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2019 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

(a) $19819000 the first year and $20777000 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

2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$343,762
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division anticipates restoring & reconstructing about 480 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

484 acres restores and reconstructed.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2019 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

(a) $19819000 the first year and $20777000 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

2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$290,398
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division anticipates restoring & reconstructing about 800 acres in 2020. As the division continues to restore native plant communities the sites in need of restoration are the more difficult ones to address in terms of access etc.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The Division restored and reconstructed 466 acres of native plant community. This figure includes work resulting from all sources of natural resource management funding (Legacy LCCMR etc.). Legacy funding allows significant acceleration of accomplishments from pre-Legacy years.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2017 Regular Session Ch. 91 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$16584000 the first year and $18891000 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.

2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$399,148
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division anticipates restoring & reconstructing about 800 acres in 2019. As the division continues to restore native plant communities the sites in need of restoration are the more difficult ones to address in terms of access etc.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The Division restored and reconstructed 847 acres of native plant community for the year ending January 2019. This figure includes targets resulting from all sources of natural resource management funding (Legacy ENRTF/LCCMR etc.). Legacy funding allows significant acceleration of accomplishments from pre-Legacy years.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2017 Regular Session Ch. 91 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$16584000 the first year and $18891000 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.

2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$333,128
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division anticipates restoring & reconstructing about 550 acres in 2018. As the division continues to restore native plant communities the sites in need of restoration are the more difficult ones to address in terms of access etc.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The Division restored and reconstructed 501 acres of native plant community for the year ending January 2018. This figure includes targets resulting from all sources of natural resource management funding (Legacy ENRTF/LCCMR etc.). Legacy funding allows significant acceleration of accomplishments from pre-Legacy years.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$17237000 the first year and $18067000 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.

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$508,851
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Parks and Trails Division will restore and reconstruct approximately 700 acres of native plant community. This figure includes targets resulting from all sources of natural resource management funding (Legacy Bonding etc.). Legacy funding allows significant acceleration of accomplishments from pre-Legacy years.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The Division restored and reconstructed 751 acres of native plant community for the year ending January 2017. This figure includes targets resulting from all sources of natural resource management funding (Legacy Bonding etc.). Legacy funding allows significant acceleration of accomplishments from pre-Legacy years.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$17237000 the first year and $18067000 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.

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$214,000
Direct expenses
$214,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Parks and Trails Division will restore and reconstruct approximately 600 acres of native plant community. This figure includes targets resulting from all sources of natural resource management funding (Legacy Bonding etc.). Legacy funding allows significant acceleration of accomplishments from pre-Legacy years.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division restored/reconstructed approximately 557 acres of native plant communities in the calendar year leading up to January 2016.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$16821000 the first year and $16953000 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.

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$650,915
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Parks and Trails Division will restore and reconstruct approximately 800 acres of native plant community. This figure includes targets resulting from all sources of natural resource management funding (Legacy Bonding etc.). Legacy funding allows significant acceleration of accomplishments from pre-Legacy years.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division has restored/reconstructed approximately 640 acres of native plant communities in the calendar year leading up to January 2015.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$16821000 the first year and $16953000 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.

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$729,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Parks and Trails Division will restore and reconstruct approximately 800 acres of native plant community. This figure includes targets resulting from all sources of natural resource management funding (Legacy Bonding etc.). Legacy funding allows significant acceleration of accomplishments from pre-Legacy years.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division restored/reconstructed approximately 920 acres of native plant communities in the calendar year leading up to January 2014.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources
(a)$14262000 the first year and $14603000 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

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$311,829
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources
(a)$14262000 the first year and $14603000 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

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$311,829
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The target for FY12-13 is to restore 2 400 acres of MNDNR Parks and Trails lands to native plant communities.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The Division has restored 1 826 acres into native plant communities during this time period 76% of the target. Final FY12-FY13 totals will be available at the end of the 2013 calendar year when field staff provide statewide accomplishment reports.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec. 2 (2)
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$546,000
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec. 2 (2)
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$654,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

PAT has been restoring a total of about 1 500 acres of prairie forest and wetland over each of the past few biennium's. Legacy funding enables the division to increase the target for the FY2010-2011 biennium to 2 000 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

2 968 acres of restored lands. PAT exceeded the target by nearly 1 000 acres. At the current rate it is estimated that it will take about 22 years to restore the remaining sites to prairie and about 75 years to restore the remaining sites to forest.

Project Manager
First Name
Edward
Last Name
Quinn
Organization Name
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Street Address
500 Lafayette Road
City
St. Paul, MN
State
MN
Zip Code
55155
Phone
(651) 259-5597
Email
edward.quinn@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency