As a producer of the Pioneer PBS show “Prairie Sportsman,” Dylan Curfman gets to see the best the Minnesota outdoors has to offer.
Along with host Brett Amundson, he videos everything from fishing trips on Lake of the Woods to pheasant hunting in the state’s open grasslands, while also exploring everything from aquatic invasive species control research to the joys of foraging for natural foods. He explores outdoor topics ranging from .
From all of this, he learned that Minnesotans don’t just appreciate their natural resources.
“We’re investing back into the resource,” Curfman said.
Minnesotans will vote Nov. 5 to decide whether to continue allocating a portion of the state’s revenue from lottery sales to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Since 1991, the fund has provided approximately $1.027 billion to more than 1,601 projects across the state.
The Prairie Sportsman program, which aims to educate Minnesotans about the state’s outdoor resources, has also benefited. Curfman said the show receives support from public television contributors, but “Prairie Sportsman” would not be possible without the funding from lottery proceeds.
The last time a renewal of the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund was proposed was in 1998, when 77% of voters supported the fund, said Liz Deering, communications director for the Minnesota Conservancy. More than 140 diverse groups, from Hospitality Minnesota and the Minnesota Coalition of Metropolitan Areas to Pheasants Forever, are urging voters to do it again.
His role as host of the Pioneer PBS show “Prairie Sportsman” allowed producer Dylan Curfman and show host Brett Amandson (shown above) to explore the best of Minnesota. Ahmanson is shown taking a lake trout tour with his host at a lake along the Gunflint Trail.
Contribution / Pioneer PBS
They are part of a coalition known as Minnesotans For Our Great Outdoors. They have the challenge of attracting attention in the presidential election.
One of their key messages is to let voters know the importance of voting for renewal. Since the question is a constitutional amendment, leaving the question blank and not voting will count as a “no” vote, Dearing explained. Constitutional amendments can only be passed if a majority of voters approve them.
As before, voters will decide whether to renew the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund for another 25 years. Congress also approved changes that would increase the annual allocation of funds from the trust fund for projects from 5.5% to 7%.
The 1.5% increase will go toward community-based funds for small projects. This will give communities and nonprofit organizations that don’t have grant-writing staff a better opportunity to access environmental and natural resource projects, Dearing said.
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund has funded a wide range of projects in Midwest Minnesota, from fishing piers to trail and state park maintenance assistance.
In 2017, $522,000 in funding made it possible to acquire 154 acres in the southeast corner of Sibley State Park, according to Parks and Trails Council President Brett Feldman. It is where a new junction of the Glacial Lakes State Trail from New London enters the park. of Minnesota.
One year later, $170,000 from the fund enabled them to acquire 15.8 acres on the north shore of Lake 21, north of Sibley State Park.
That same year, $102,000 in funding from the foundation made it possible to acquire 17.5 acres for the Glacial Lakes State Trail, according to Feldman.
Including the added spurs, the Glacial Lakes State Trail has more than 30 miles of paved trail in Kandiyohi and Stearns counties, according to the Department of Natural Resources webpage.
Feldman pointed out that the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund money could also be used to leverage other funds, among others. Volunteer assistance from the Sibley State Park Improvement Association was “critical” in terms of the work done to remove debris and buildings from the newly acquired land.
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is the primary funding source for the Youth Eco Solutions Program offered by Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center. It allows young people to get involved in the outdoors and get involved in environmental and natural resource projects.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Kandiyohi County after agriculture, and lottery proceeds help support tourism. This is the point made by New London Kandiyohi County Commissioner Roger Imdike in a recent letter published in the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Imdike said he was inspired to write the letter after seeing a Facebook post urging a “no” vote. Given the importance of tourism to the county’s economy, Imdike said he felt the need to speak out.
Cyclists participate in a fundraiser on the Glacial Lakes State Trail in west-central Minnesota on June 18, 2011. Funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund benefited the trail.
West Central Tribune file photo
He said it’s important to point out that lottery funds are not tax dollars. Those who do not wish to support the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund do not need to purchase a lottery ticket.
If voters do not approve the renewal, lottery proceeds that would go to environmental and natural resource projects would instead go to the state’s general fund.
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund is administered by the Minnesota Resources Legislative Citizens Commission. It would have to make recommendations on how the funds should be spent, then be approved by the Minnesota Legislature. The 17-member committee is made up of 10 members of Congress, including five from the Senate and five from the House of Representatives. Five citizens appointed by the governor. and one citizen appointed by the Senate and one citizen appointed by the House of Representatives.
Peg Furshon of Sacred Heart of Rural Affairs said the funded projects benefit a wide range of environmental and natural resource issues across the region. She is a member of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, which represents the region.
University of Minnesota research on soybean aphid control and growing perennial intermediate wheatgrass, known by the trade name Kernza, are among the projects that could benefit the region, she noted.
Enhancing waterfowl production areas, restoring grasslands, acquiring land for scientific and natural areas, and, of course, improving trails and state parks are some of the ways these funds will benefit the region, Furshon said. Here are some other examples of how it can be helpful.
The Montana native pointed out that Minnesota is not alone in its abundance of natural resources and outdoor opportunities. The difference, she said, is how Minnesota has invested in protecting, enhancing and providing access for people to enjoy and appreciate great outdoors.
“I don’t think people in Minnesota really realize how lucky they are to have these outdoor activity opportunities sponsored and funded by the state’s outdoor programs,” Farshon said. said.
In this West Central Tribune file photo, Earl Olson (left) and Roscoe Berg of Willmar fish from the shore at a fishing pier on Apple Lake. The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund supports the development of fishing piers and other infrastructure to provide public access to natural resources.
Ron Adams/West Central Tribune file photo
“These are the things that really make Minnesota a great place to live,” she said of the state’s investments.
Conservation Minnesota’s Deering said supporters of the upcoming Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund vote are optimistic that Minnesota voters will continue to support investment in resources. . “Those are the values that are important to Minnesotans,” she said, adding, “It’s what makes our state what it is.”
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