Join Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails (GMPT) for our annual Legislative Action Day on Wednesday, March 4, 2026! First, we'll hear from GMPT Chair Joe Tart and GMPT Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel for an overview of GMPT's 2026 legislative priorities. The morning's agenda will also include a panel and presentation on key issues that impact Minnesota's parks and trails. After lunch and networking, we'll send you over to the Capitol complex to meet with your legislators and advocate for GMPT priorities.
Attendees are responsible for booking their own appointments - see more information and instructions here.
Click here for location and parking information.
Schedule for the Day (subject to change)
9:45am: Registration & Material Pickup
Coffee, tea, and light pastries provided.
10:00am: Welcome & Introduction - Joe Tart, GMPT Chair
10:10am: Legislative Action: Moving GMPT's Goals Forward - Elizabeth Wefel, GMPT Lobbyist
10:45am: Greater Minnesota Regional Parks & Trails Commission Update - Renee Mattson, Executive Director, GMRPT
11:00am: Strategies for Protecting Minnesota's Lands - Trust for Public Land, Minnesota Land Trust, and Friends of the Mississippi River
11:30am: Parks and Trails Funding - Constitutional Amendments and the new Community Grants Program - Nels Paulsen, Conservation Minnesota
12:15pm: Networking Lunch
Buffet lunch will be provided.
1:15pm: Capitol Complex Prep Session
GMPT staff will lead members on a brief tour of the Capitol complex.
1:30pm: Meetings with Legislators
Attendees are responsible for making their own appointments with legislators and are free to leave when they finish their last meeting for the day.
Legislative Appointments
Attendees are responsible for scheduling their own legislative appointments. You can use this tool to find your legislators and their contact information. We encourage you to reach out to your legislators as soon as possible to let them know you will be coming and schedule a time and location for your meeting. There is time set aside in the agenda after 1:30pm for meetings.
Due to construction on the State Office Building, House members and staff have been relocated to other buildings. We are also aware that there will be new security and screening procedures in place for the 2026 legislative session. Please make sure to give yourself plenty of time to travel to and between meetings.
Other Event Logistics
Event Location: GMPT 2026 Legislative Action Day is being held in the offices of Flaherty & Hood, located at 525 Park Street in St. Paul. Their office is across the street from the Minnesota Senate Building.
Parking: Parking is available by permit only in the surface lot on the west side of the Flaherty & Hood office building. A temporary parking permit will be sent to attendees prior to the event and copies will be available day-of. The lot fills quickly and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is additional paid street and ramp parking available in the surrounding area.