Below is a message from GMPT Chair Joe Tart. You can reach him at joseph.tart@chisagocounty.us.
Hello GMPT members!
First off, I would like to thank everyone who joined us for our annual Legislative Action Day on March 4! This year’s event kicked off with a presentation from GMPT Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel, who provided an in-depth discussion of GMPT’s legislative priorities and some helpful tips on lobbying legislators. Then, we heard from featured speakers—including representatives from the Trust for Public Land, Minnesota Land Trust, and Friends of the Mississippi River—who discussed strategies for protecting Minnesota’s lands.
The event also offered insight from Conservation Minnesota’s Nels Paulsen, who spoke about how constitutional amendments and new community grants play into parks and trails funding. Executive Director Renee Mattson from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) wrapped up our programming with an overview of the Commission’s latest work, and then members were treated to a tour of the Capitol Complex by GMPT staff before heading off to their meetings with legislators. This event continues to be an important opportunity for our organization as a whole to advocate for parks and trails issues at the Legislature, so we greatly appreciate everyone who made the trip and made their voices heard! If you would like to review materials from the event, you can access them using the links below.
Now, let’s look ahead. Day by day, the weather is getting warmer, and you know what that means? Spring is almost upon us! It also means that many (if not all) of you are busy preparing for the summer season and the crowds that come with it. As you get your parks and trails facilities ready for the influx of visitors, we would love to hear your stories and see your hard work in action. So, please reach out to us at greatermnparkstrails@gmail.com if you would like to share your major projects, upcoming events, or your team’s summer preparations, and you could be featured in our next GMPT newsletter!
