Education and interpretive services
The Parks and Trails Division is creating innovative programs to attract new audiences 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 candlelight events and First Day Hikes, generate enthusiasm and a sense of urgency to visit. Interactive touch-screen displays, videos and podcasts keep Minnesota state parks and trails current with the ways the public wants to receive information, while engaging interpretive exhibits catch the attention of visitors. Additional naturalist positions allows the division to interact with more people, and Minnesota Naturalist Corps internships provide mentored experiences for college students.
$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.
$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
The division's target for 2023 is to host a total of 2,000,000 visits to state park visitor centers. The division's target for 2023 is to offer more than 8,000 interpretive programs statewide. The division's target for 2023 is to provide programs for a total of 250,000 participants at state park and trail interpretive programs.
$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
The division's target for 2022 is to host a total of 2,000,000 visits to state park visitor centers. The division's target for 2022 is to offer more than 8,000 interpretive programs statewide. The division's target for 2022 is to provide programs for a total of 250,000 participants at state park and trail interpretive programs.
In 2022, the division hosted 1,347,960 visits at state park visitor centers. Minnesota state parks and trails offered 6524 interpretive programs and events at state parks and trails in 2022. Through the efforts of Legacy-funded interpretive naturalists and Naturalist Corps interns, overall program attendance reached 162,957 in 2022.
Although 2022 fell short of proposed measurable outcomes, programs and program attendance increased from COVID-impacted 2020 and 2021. Normal programming efforts resumed after COVID closures lifted, but numerous interpretive vacancies impacted visitor center hours and number of programs offered in 2022.
(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
(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
The division's target for 2020 is to reach a total of 2 000 000 people at state park visitor centers.
$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.
The division's target for 2019 is to reach a total of 2 000 000 people at state park visitor centers.
The division reached 1 891 864 members of the public at state park visitor centers in 2019. (Note: Fort Snelling State Park Visitor Center was closed most of summer 2019.) Legacy-funded interpretive services staff completed a number of exhibit projects in 2019. Most notably the Whitewater State Park Visitor Center indoor exhibit was completed.
$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.
The division's target for 2018 is to reach a total of 2 000 000 people at state park visitor centers.
The division reached 1 873 478 members of the public at state park visitor centers in 2018.
$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.
The division's target for 2017 is to reach a total of 2 000 000 people at state park visitor centers., The division's target for 2017 is to offer more than 8 000 interpretive programs statewide. , The division's target for 2017 is to reach a total of at least 250 000 people at state park and trail interpretive programs.
The division reached 2 134 844 members of the public at state park visitor centers in 2017., Parks and Trails offered 8793 interpretive programs and events at state parks and trails in 2017., Through the efforts of Legacy-funded Naturalist Corps seasonal and permanent interpretive naturalists overall program attendance reached 257 733 in 2017.
$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.
The division's target for 2016 is to reach a total of at least 200 000 people at state park and trail interpretive programs., The division's target for 2016 is to reach a total of 2 000 000 people at state park visitor centers., The division's target for 2016 is to offer more than 9 000 interpretive programs statewide.
Through the efforts of Legacy-funded Naturalist Corps seasonal and permanent interpretive naturalists overall program attendance reached 278 880 in 2016. This exceeds the goal of reaching 200 000 people., 2 168 511 people attended an event or visited an exhibit at a DNR Park visitor center. This is well in excess of the goal., Parks and Trails offered 8 912 interpretive programs at state parks and trails in 2016. Despite having fewer Naturalist Corps positions in 2016 we still nearly met our ambitious goal.
$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.
Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50 000 people with the added support of Naturalist Corps year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists., In calendar year 2008 attendance at visitor center exhibits was 1 123 534 people. The division's target for 2015 is to increase that number by 100 000 people. , The division's target for 2015 is to offer more than 9 000 interpretive programs statewide.
Through the efforts of Legacy-funded Naturalist Corps and seasonal and permanent interpretive naturalists overall program attendance has increased by more than 37% from 219 675 in 2009 to 302 154 in 2015. This exceeds the goal of reaching an additional 50 000 people with increased interpretive staffing., 2 152 917 people attended an event or visited an exhibit at a DNR Park visitor center. This is well in excess of the goal., Parks and Trails offered 9 550 interpretive programs at state parks and trails in 2015 in excess of the goal.
$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.
In calendar year 2008 attendance at visitor center exhibits was 1 123 534 people. The division's target for 2014 is to increase that number by 100 000 people. , The division's target for 2014 is to offer more than 5 000 interpretive programs statewide. , Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50 000 people with the added support of Naturalist Corps year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists.
With a 297 978 increase since 2008 2014 visitor center attendance exceeded the goal., In 2014 a total of 9083 scheduled and requested state parks and trail interpretive programs were presented statewide. This far exceeded the 5 000 program goal., With the addition of Legacy-funded Naturalist Corps and seasonal and permanent interpretive naturalists in the spring of 2010 overall program attendance rates have increased by 31% from 219 675 in 2009 to 288 221 in 2014. This exceeds the goal of reaching an additional 50 000 people with increased interpretive staffing.
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
The division's target for 2013 is to offer more than 5 000 interpretive programs statewide. , Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50 000 people with the added support of Naturalist Corps year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists so the goal is 269 675., In calendar year 2008 attendance at visitor center exhibits was 1 123 534 people. The division's target for 2013 is to increase that number by 100 000 people.
As reported in previous years this measure includes the number of scheduled and requested programs plus the number of special events., With the addition of Legacy-funded Naturalist Corps and seasonal and permanent interpretive naturalists in the spring of 2010 overall program attendance rates have increased by 30% from 219 675 in 2009 to 285 723 in 2013. This exceeds the goal of reaching an additional 50 000 people with increased interpretive staffing., In 2013 reported visitor center attendance was 1 222 992. This number nearly reaches the division's goal fo 100 000 over the 2008 attendance number.
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
In calendar year 2008 attendance at visitor center exhibits was 1 123 534 people. The division's target for 2012 is to increase that number by 100 000 people., The division's target for 2012 is to offer more than 5 000 interpretive programs statewide. , Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50 000 people with the added support of Naturalist Corps year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists.
In 2012 visitor centers at parks throughout the state saw 1 206 742 visitors. This number came close to the 1 223 534 visitor goal. , In 2012 a total of 9 156 statewide interpretive programs were offered to the public. This far exceeded the 5 000 program goal. , With the addition of Legacy-funded Naturalist Corps and seasonal and permanent interpretive naturalists in the spring of 2010 overall program attendance rates have increased by 23% from 219 675 in 2009 to 285 620 in 2012. This exceeds the goal of reaching an additional 50 000 people with increased interpretive staffing.
In calendar year 2008 attendance at visitor center exhibits was 1 123 534 people. The division's target for this year is to increase that number by 100 000 people., The division's target for this year is to offer more than 5 000 interpretive programs statewide. , Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50 000 people with the added support from our Naturalist Corps the 80% year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists.
In 2011 due to a 3 week state government shutdown that closed parks from July 1-21 attendance at visitor centers dropped to 985 811 visitors and did not surpass the 1 223 534 visitor goal. , 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., Interpretive programs reached 219 675 in 2009 before the addition of new Legacy-funded interpretive staff. In 2011 interpretive programs reached 216 840. These lower numbers were due to a state government shutdown that closed parks from July 1-21 typically the busiest weeks for interpretation. Legacy-funded Naturalist Corps seasonal and permanent interpretive naturalist positions reached 98 272 of the total program participants in 2011.
In calendar year 2008 attendance at visitor center exhibits was 1 123 534 people. The division's target for the biennium is to increase that number by 200 000 people., The division's target for the biennium is to double interpretive program numbers to offer 5 000 interpretive programs statewide. , Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50 000 people with the added support from our Naturalist Corps the 80% year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists.
The Division of Parks and Trails has significantly exceeded the original attendance goal by steadily increasing attendance at visitor center exhibits since 2008 by 276 000 people. This was accomplished by increasing staffing at visitor centers updating exhibits and extending hours of operation., The division has significantly exceeded the original goal for the number of programs. In calendar years 2009 and 2010 5 374 and 8 571 programs were held respectively. , Since the addition of the Naturalist Corps 80% year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists in spring 2010 overall program attendance rates have increased by 21% from 219 675 in 2009 to 266 403 in 2010.