Minnesota State Park Naturalist Programs
The new Minnesota Naturalist Corps, year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists will be added at the busiest seasonal parks and trails to expand conservation education programming and increase overall attendance at interpretive programs. The Minnesota Naturalist Corps will offer more interpretive programs as directed by new legislative guidelines.
Market research studies in 2007 revealed that the target market for potential park and trail users would visit state parks and trails if there were programs for their children. The new Minnesota Naturalist Corps has produced 30 new seasonal training positions for aspiring natural resource professionals who want to share their passion for the outdoors with key audiences and youth.
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
Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50 000 people with the added support of Naturalist Corps year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists.
Program attendance is reported on a calendar year basis. Check back in early 2014 for an update.
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
Increase participation in interpretive programs by 50 000 people with the added support of Naturalist Corps year-round naturalists and seasonal naturalists.
With the addition of Legacy-funded interpretive staff overall program attendance has increased by 23% from 219 675 visitors in 2009 to 285 620 visitors in 2012. Legacy-funded staff included 33 Naturalist Corps 6 seasonal interpretive naturalists and 9 permanent interpretive naturalists who provided engaging programming to 138 827 of the total visitors in 2012.