Special Natural Resource Projects in State Parks

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$647,425
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$978,917
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$877,482
2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$859,405
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$919,593
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$510,022
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$459,042
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$587,699
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$230,000
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$336,090
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$382,800
Fund Source
Parks & Trails Fund
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2011
Counties Affected
Statewide
Statewide
Project Overview

This program aims to meet emerging and unique project needs in the Minnesota State Parks and Trails system. The program has initiated activities around Buffalo herd management and has plans for other activities to be determined.

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
$647,425
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division anticipates initiating about 30 projects to specifically benefit rare species such as Timber rattlesnakes (MN-Threatened), Dakota Skipper (Federally Endangered) and MN listed plant species.  Funding will also likely be used to support bison management, species inventories and to complete and information techology projects to integrate Parks & Trails data with other DNR divisions to create a more complete and useable set for resource assessments and management work. 

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
$978,917
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The division anticipates initiating about 40 projects to specifically benefit rare species.  Funding will also likely be used to support bison management, species inventories and information technology projects to integrate Parks & Trails data with other DNR divisions to create a more complete and usable set for resource assessments and management work.

Measurable Outcome(s)

41 projects were undertaken to benefit rare species.  Examples of rare species that benefitted include:MN-Threatened Pugnose Shiner (cont. reintroduction, Fed. Endangered Dakota Skipper (habitat improvement),MN- Threatened Kittentails (habitat improvement), MN-Special Concern Whorled Loosestrife (monitoring), MN-Threatened Timber Rattlesnakes (monitoring, habitat improvement) & MN-Threatened Blanding's Turtle (survey and habitat improvement).  Funding also was use to support bison management and species inventories.

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
$877,482
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs. It is anticipated that a similar annual number of projects as in prior year to benefit rare species (30 projects) will be conducted in FY22.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2022, 38 projects were undertaken to benefit rare species such as pugnose shiners (MN-Threatened), eastern hemlock (MN-Endangered) and Lined Snake (MN-Special Concern).  Funding also was use to support bison management and species inventories.

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
$859,405
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs.

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
$919,593
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs. Examples include work to restore native pollinator habitat in state park sites within MN Prairie Plan Core Areas and resampling of vegetative study sites from decades ago to help inform management.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Special projects included upgrading critical prescribed burn equipment assisting with funding for the bison handling facility and wetland enhancement projects at Minneopa critical natural and cultural resource surveys to aid in development and resource management decisions projects to reintroduce or manage rare species such as pugnose shiner an timber rattlesnakes and seedling protection from deer at several state park sites.

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
$510,022
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs. A prime example is the creation of suitable habitat for the reintroduction of bison at Minneopa State Park.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Examples of 2019 special projects included additional monies to supplement LCCMR funding to complete the bison handling facility and wetland at Minneopa State Park. Funding also helped to provide critical habitat management for rare species such as Henslow’s sparrow timber rattlesnakes and Blanding’s turtles. Legacy funding also provided the means to prepare critical state park and trail resource management plans.

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
$459,042
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs. A prime example is the creation of suitable habitat for the reintroduction of bison at Minneopa State Park.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2018 special projects included upgrading of essential burn equipment and training statewide assisting with funding for the bison handling facility and wetland enhancement projects at Minneopa critical natural and cultural resource surveys to aid in development and resource management decisions and seedling protection from deer at several sites such as: Itasca Lake Maria Lake Bemidji St. Croix and Zippel Bay.

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
$587,699
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs. A prime example is the creation of suitable habitat for the reintroduction of bison at Minneopa State Park.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2017 special projects included upgrading of critical burn equipment and training statewide restoration of visitor impacts (Cascade McCarthy Beach) seedling protection from deer at several sites: St. Croix Itasca Lake Bemidji etc. Work to protect the Federally endangered dwarf trout lily in Southern region oak wilt management and cultural resource management efforts.

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
$230,000
Direct expenses
$230,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs. A prime example is the creation of suitable habitat for the reintroduction of bison at Minneopa State Park.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In 2016 special projects included inventory and monitoring projects as well as projects to protect historic resources rare species and restore visitor impacts. Examples include projects to map native plant communities and inventory rare species at several parks in the southern and central part of the state. Habitat was restored for timber rattlesnakes and a critical bat hibernaculum was re-gated. A decade of archaeological data was entered into the division’s cultural resource database so sites can be protected and impacts from visitor use along shorelines and trails were repaired and restored.

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
$336,090
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs. A prime example is the creation of suitable habitat for the reintroduction of bison at Minneopa State Park.

Measurable Outcome(s)

The primary project for calendar year 2015 has been preparing the pasture area for the bison herd to be installed in Minneopa State Park in fall 2015. This work has entailed some natural resource restoration and enhancement.

Also in CY 15 a number of resource inventory efforts were completed. Projects included resource inventory projects for rare species and land cover mapping at several state parks.

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
$382,800
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

This program seeks to create and enhance high quality natural resource habitat that are focused in special project areas. Special natural resource projects include things like inventory & monitoring rare species management addressing visitor impacts to resources cultural resource management & support costs. A prime example is the creation of suitable habitat for the reintroduction of bison at Minneopa State Park.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Work on the bison pasture that started in FY14 will continue into FY15.

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