Prescribed Burning on State Park Lands

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$442,975
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$279,691
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$274,213
2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$245,544
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$241,998
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$421,323
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$293,300
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$217,563
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$375,000
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$199,200
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$225,600
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$221,298
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$221,298
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
Fund Source
Parks & Trails Fund
Status
In Progress
Activity Type
Restoration/Enhancement
Counties Affected
Statewide
Statewide
Project Overview

This program is to increase prescribed burning on Division of Parks and Trails (PAT) lands in order to meet shortfalls in achieving PAT restoration and management objectives.

About the Issue

Prescribed burning is necessary to preserve fire-dependent native plant communities such as prairies and oak woodlands. Prescribed burning is also important at periodic intervals to maintain fire dependent native plant communities, stimulate seed production needed for new restoration sites and aid in controlling invasive species. The division's annual prescribed burn acreage will likely increase as the need to maintain additional restored fire dependent communities grows.

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
$442,975
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division expects to conduct burns on about 4,000 acres.  Previous 5 years average 4,168 acres/yr.  Vagaries of required weather conditions influence this metric more than others.

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
$279,691
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division expects to conduct burns on about 5,000 acres, a return to levels more similar to pre-pandemic program activities.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division completed prescribed burns on 4,934 acres of Parks & Trails 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
$274,213
Measurable Outcome(s)

The division completed prescribed burns on 4,041 acres of Parks & Trails 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
$245,544
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
$241,998
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
$421,323
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2019 the division is planning to conduct prescribed burns on approximately 6 000 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division conducted prescribed burns on 6 525 acres of State Park and Trail Division administered lands as of 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
$293,300
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2018 the division is planning to conduct prescribed burns on approximately 7 000 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division conducted prescribed burns on 6811 acres of State Park and Trail Division administered lands as of 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
$217,563
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division will conduct prescribed burns on approximately 7 000 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division conducted prescribed burns on 7091 acres of State Park and Trail Division administered lands as of January 2017. 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.

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$375,000
Direct expenses
$375,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division will conduct prescribed burns on approximately 6 800 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division conducted prescribed burns on approximately 6 492 acres of State Park and Trail Division administered lands as of January 2016. 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. 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
$199,200
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division will conduct prescribed burns on approximately 5 000 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division has conducted prescribed burns on approximately 6 381 acres of State Park and Trail Division administered lands as of January 2015. 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. 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
$225,600
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division will conduct prescribed burns on approximately 5 000 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division has conducted prescribed burns on approximately 4 152 acres of State Park and Trail Division administered lands as of January 2014. 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. 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
$221,298
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
$221,298
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

On average PAT has conducted prescribed burns on 11 600 acres per biennium. The division's target for the FY2012-2013 biennium is just over 12 000 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division has completed prescribed burns on 10 464 acres of state park lands. This is 87% of the target. Vagaries in weather impacted opportunities to burn additional acres. 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
$150,000
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec. 2 (2)
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

On average PAT has conducted prescribed burns on 10 000-13 000 acres per biennium. The division's target for the FY2010-2011 biennium is just over 19 000 acres.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The division has completed prescribed burns on 16 871 of state park lands. The division is well on its way to achieving the goal of 6 000 acres of additional prescribed burns conducted over the biennium (target +AD0- 19 164 acres).

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