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Investing in Minnesota’s Outdoor Resources

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Starting in 2021, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources led a transformational effort, in collaboration with a diverse cross-section of people, to identify what Minnesotans value for the future of conservation and outdoor recreation and what steps we collectively need to take to reach that future. Through a year-long process of conversations and public engagement, a shared vision for funding the future of outdoor recreation and conservation emerged. This vision included four guideposts:

  • Future generations benefit from sustained and improved outdoor recreation experiences and conservation of natural resources.
  • Minnesotans work together to support diverse outdoor recreation opportunities and conservation of our state’s natural features.
  • Conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities equitably meet the needs of all Minnesotans.
  • Conservation and outdoor recreation align with and are integrated into Minnesota state priorities.

Taking collective action

This vision resulted in the creation of the 4 The Outdoors Report. This framework identifies some of the biggest challenges in securing adequate financial resources to support natural resource management for conservation and outdoor recreation, and also identifies concrete steps we can take to advance on the path towards financial stability and sustainability moving forward. To achieve the vision for the future of outdoor recreation and conservation in Minnesota, there are four areas where action is needed:

  1. Optimize the use of current funding
  2. Explore the use and application of fees
  3. Increase opportunities for direct support
  4. Secure stable and predictable base and operational funding

Progress on any one of these actions will help Minnesota advance on the path toward the vision. Progress on all four actions is critical to fully realize what Minnesotans want for the future. These actions require a shared effort on the part of Minnesota DNR, its partners, legislators, nonprofits, and environmental organizations.

To see updates on what we’ve accomplished so far, check out the 4 The Outdoors webpage.

Ideas from Minnesotans

We asked for your ideas to address the challenge of securing adequate financial resources to support natural resource management for conservation and outdoor recreation over the long term, and you delivered! We received hundreds of ideas and possible solutions from Minnesotans all around the state. These suggestions largely fell into the following categories:

  • New or increased taxes, such as a dedicated sales tax on outdoor recreation equipment
  • New fees or new ways to approach fees, such as an easy way to add a park pass during vehicle registration or renewal
  • New or increased direct support, such as expansion of public-private partnerships or creation of an endowment
  • Increased share of Minnesota’s General Fund for conservation and outdoor recreation, such as creating a benchmark for funding that is predictable and stable
  • Increased flexibility in the use of existing funds

We know that there is not a single, “silver bullet” solution that will address the systemic challenges we face. The funding system is complex and a single, simple solution will not be enough. That’s why we are asking for your help guiding the development of a set of solutions which reflect and help us sustain the values Minnesotans place on our natural resources.

How to get involved

There are several ways to get involved and share your thoughts with DNR to guide this work, including:

  • Ask a question, tell your story, or share your favorite place in Minnesota using the input tools below
  • Read the 4 The Outdoors Report
  • Talk to your friends, family, and DNR and elected officials about what you love in Minnesota’s natural places and why stable funding for these resources is important to you!

Starting in 2021, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources led a transformational effort, in collaboration with a diverse cross-section of people, to identify what Minnesotans value for the future of conservation and outdoor recreation and what steps we collectively need to take to reach that future. Through a year-long process of conversations and public engagement, a shared vision for funding the future of outdoor recreation and conservation emerged. This vision included four guideposts:

  • Future generations benefit from sustained and improved outdoor recreation experiences and conservation of natural resources.
  • Minnesotans work together to support diverse outdoor recreation opportunities and conservation of our state’s natural features.
  • Conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities equitably meet the needs of all Minnesotans.
  • Conservation and outdoor recreation align with and are integrated into Minnesota state priorities.

Taking collective action

This vision resulted in the creation of the 4 The Outdoors Report. This framework identifies some of the biggest challenges in securing adequate financial resources to support natural resource management for conservation and outdoor recreation, and also identifies concrete steps we can take to advance on the path towards financial stability and sustainability moving forward. To achieve the vision for the future of outdoor recreation and conservation in Minnesota, there are four areas where action is needed:

  1. Optimize the use of current funding
  2. Explore the use and application of fees
  3. Increase opportunities for direct support
  4. Secure stable and predictable base and operational funding

Progress on any one of these actions will help Minnesota advance on the path toward the vision. Progress on all four actions is critical to fully realize what Minnesotans want for the future. These actions require a shared effort on the part of Minnesota DNR, its partners, legislators, nonprofits, and environmental organizations.

To see updates on what we’ve accomplished so far, check out the 4 The Outdoors webpage.

Ideas from Minnesotans

We asked for your ideas to address the challenge of securing adequate financial resources to support natural resource management for conservation and outdoor recreation over the long term, and you delivered! We received hundreds of ideas and possible solutions from Minnesotans all around the state. These suggestions largely fell into the following categories:

  • New or increased taxes, such as a dedicated sales tax on outdoor recreation equipment
  • New fees or new ways to approach fees, such as an easy way to add a park pass during vehicle registration or renewal
  • New or increased direct support, such as expansion of public-private partnerships or creation of an endowment
  • Increased share of Minnesota’s General Fund for conservation and outdoor recreation, such as creating a benchmark for funding that is predictable and stable
  • Increased flexibility in the use of existing funds

We know that there is not a single, “silver bullet” solution that will address the systemic challenges we face. The funding system is complex and a single, simple solution will not be enough. That’s why we are asking for your help guiding the development of a set of solutions which reflect and help us sustain the values Minnesotans place on our natural resources.

How to get involved

There are several ways to get involved and share your thoughts with DNR to guide this work, including:

  • Ask a question, tell your story, or share your favorite place in Minnesota using the input tools below
  • Read the 4 The Outdoors Report
  • Talk to your friends, family, and DNR and elected officials about what you love in Minnesota’s natural places and why stable funding for these resources is important to you!

Stories

While part of this work will be establishing new and innovative funding solutions to support conservation and outdoor recreation, we want to make sure any new system supports what Minnesotans love and value about Minnesota. We want to hear about what excites you. Please share a best outdoor experience you have had in Minnesota. What made it special?

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  • Share Agroforestry on Facebook Share Agroforestry on Twitter Share Agroforestry on Linkedin Email Agroforestry link

    Agroforestry

    by Theherbanhippy, about 2 years ago

    I have been working in conservation and land management since 2014. Throughout my time, I have helped manage thousands of acres of our forest and prairies throughout the state and upper Midwest region. I have been privy to participate in many innovative projects that have taught me so much about what “Best Management Practice,” truly means. Currently we live in such an uncertain world, where food supply chains are being challenged, the climate is changing, wildlife is being pressured to the brink and we are constantly facing environmental catastrophes. I truly believe our great state can lead the way to... Continue reading

  • Share Fishing Pressure on Facebook Share Fishing Pressure on Twitter Share Fishing Pressure on Linkedin Email Fishing Pressure link

    Fishing Pressure

    by Kirby Budrow, over 2 years ago
    The last two years have produced high fishing license sales. It's great that people want to be involved in the outdoors but our fisheries are paying the price, due to fishing pressure. I would like to see limits lowered across the board. Cut them in half. This state could have incredible fishing, like Canada, but the regulations hinder that. Let's model our fisheries management after Canada so we can have incredible fishing for years to come. Don't worry about people complaining about not being able to keep as many fish. We still travel to Canada and keep far less fish... Continue reading
  • Share Deer Hunting on Facebook Share Deer Hunting on Twitter Share Deer Hunting on Linkedin Email Deer Hunting link

    Deer Hunting

    by Kirby Budrow, over 2 years ago

    Deer hunting is obviously one of the more Minnesotan things to do. We absolutely love it. But it has become increasingly difficult to harvest a deer. The DNR's approach to managing deer populations is the Doe Permit method. I believe this method is flawed. It creates an imbalanced buck to doe ratio and leaves out meat hunters. The values of the younger generation of deer hunters are different than before. More and more people would like to harvest a trophy animal. But that is very difficult when a "meat hunter" is not able to harvest a doe and shoots the... Continue reading

  • Share State Forests offer quiet low cost recreation for all on Facebook Share State Forests offer quiet low cost recreation for all on Twitter Share State Forests offer quiet low cost recreation for all on Linkedin Email State Forests offer quiet low cost recreation for all link

    State Forests offer quiet low cost recreation for all

    by rrr123, over 2 years ago
    With the rising popularity of State Parks they have become crowded. They feel quite expensive for camping which can put them of reach for some Minnesotans. We have so much public use land that many Minnesotans don't even know exists besides state parks - that doesn't require reservations or cost a lot of money.


    Our state forests are often overlooked, many of which have great well-maintained trail systems and primitive camp grounds at affordable prices. I have thoroughly enjoyed several State Forests and camped in both dispersed and campground settings. Dispersed can be great, but finding flat locations can be... Continue reading
  • Share State Trails in Southern Minnesota on Facebook Share State Trails in Southern Minnesota on Twitter Share State Trails in Southern Minnesota on Linkedin Email State Trails in Southern Minnesota link

    State Trails in Southern Minnesota

    by rrr123, over 2 years ago

    We are so very fortunate in Southern Minnesota to have the state trail systems.

    The root river trail sees high usage and is an amazing way to unwind and visit many small towns, many of which have done a great job of promoting tourism around the trails.

    The shooting star trail offers a totally different experience through the prairie land, and crosses through Lake Louise State Park and the city of Adams parks for nice resting areas.

    Harmony-Preston is a good branch off the root river, and offers a long hill climb, ice cream shops at both ends, and a... Continue reading

  • Share State Water Trails on Facebook Share State Water Trails on Twitter Share State Water Trails on Linkedin Email State Water Trails link

    State Water Trails

    by jtyson, over 2 years ago
    I absolutely love the paddle in campsites on our state water trails. These are free first come first serve. I would gladly pay a reservation fee that would help support maintenance of the sites and cleanliness of the river.
  • Share Minnesota State Parks on Facebook Share Minnesota State Parks on Twitter Share Minnesota State Parks on Linkedin Email Minnesota State Parks link

    Minnesota State Parks

    by Reggie, over 2 years ago

    How great that this topic is being examined and that those who enjoy the state's natural resources, are being asked to contribute to the solution of sustaining them.

    Our state covers a lot of diverse territory. An important idea to bring forward is that our state parks are sprinkled throughout the state making them accessible by those at the furthest points. Just about everyone has a state park within a short drive's distance. I like that I can enjoy a special outdoor recreational area right where I live; no cross country trek required. However, if I want to make a... Continue reading

Page last updated: 02 May 2024, 02:14 PM