4 The Outdoors - Internal Staff Page

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In 2021, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources began a transformational effort, in collaboration with a diverse cross-section of people, to identify what people value for the future of conservation and outdoor recreation in Minnesota, and what steps we collectively need to take to realize that future. A vision for the future of conservation and outdoor recreation was created from that effort along with principles for a new funding framework, operationalized through four steps to be completed in four years – this effort is known as “4 The Outdoors.”

One of those steps is to explore the use and application of DNR fees, a task assigned to an interdisciplinary DNR team. Engagement with Minnesotans throughout the summer of 2024 through workshops and a survey allowed the team to identify shared values, principles and potential strategies to review and potentially re-think the role, approach, and structure of potential new and existing fees. The DNR is seeking additional public input to guide refinement of the strategies and solutions that will be most effective and supported by Minnesotans.

We need your help to reach Minnesotans

Together, our work touches communities all across the state. You may meet people while they're out enjoying a hike, catching fish, learning to paddle, riding a horse, or attending a community meeting or event. We need your help to reach the Minnesotans you interact with through your work, in order to:

  • Build shared public awareness about the role fees play in a sustainable conservation and outdoor recreation funding system;
  • Gather ideas and feedback from individuals, community-based organizations and other partners to inform the development and refinement of ideas and strategies to optimize the use and application of fees; and
  • Build public support for future fee-related proposals.

The 4 The Outdoors Fees Engagement Toolkit

This page contains resources you can use to talk with the public about how fees play an important role in ensuring sustainable funding for the outdoor recreation and conservation activities they value. In the "Documents" section on the right sidebar, you can find and download the following documents:

  • 4 The Outdoors Fees Engagement Plan: This document provides an overview of the goals and timeline for this engagement effort.
  • 4 The Outdoors Fees Talking Points: These talking points cover key issues like why fees are important, what role they play in funding DNR's work, and how members of the public can get involved. The conversation guide provides some example questions to jumpstart dialogue. This is a One DNR resource that is meant to complement your division's communications resources related to fees.
  • 4 The Outdoors Email Templates for Partner Outreach: This document contains email templates you can use to reach out to partner organizations, as well as email and social media templates those partner organizations can use to reach their membership.
  • Toolkit Photo Pack: This folder includes photos you can use and share as part of this engagement campaign. For example, if you're using the email templates for partner outreach, select a few photos relevant to your partner's interests and include them in your email to make it easy for partners to share on social media, through email newsletters, or other media.


Please note, this Engage with DNR page is for internal DNR staff only. The public Engage with DNR page to share with partners and the public is: https://engage.dnr.state.mn.us/reinvesting-in-minnesotas-outdoors


In 2021, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources began a transformational effort, in collaboration with a diverse cross-section of people, to identify what people value for the future of conservation and outdoor recreation in Minnesota, and what steps we collectively need to take to realize that future. A vision for the future of conservation and outdoor recreation was created from that effort along with principles for a new funding framework, operationalized through four steps to be completed in four years – this effort is known as “4 The Outdoors.”

One of those steps is to explore the use and application of DNR fees, a task assigned to an interdisciplinary DNR team. Engagement with Minnesotans throughout the summer of 2024 through workshops and a survey allowed the team to identify shared values, principles and potential strategies to review and potentially re-think the role, approach, and structure of potential new and existing fees. The DNR is seeking additional public input to guide refinement of the strategies and solutions that will be most effective and supported by Minnesotans.

We need your help to reach Minnesotans

Together, our work touches communities all across the state. You may meet people while they're out enjoying a hike, catching fish, learning to paddle, riding a horse, or attending a community meeting or event. We need your help to reach the Minnesotans you interact with through your work, in order to:

  • Build shared public awareness about the role fees play in a sustainable conservation and outdoor recreation funding system;
  • Gather ideas and feedback from individuals, community-based organizations and other partners to inform the development and refinement of ideas and strategies to optimize the use and application of fees; and
  • Build public support for future fee-related proposals.

The 4 The Outdoors Fees Engagement Toolkit

This page contains resources you can use to talk with the public about how fees play an important role in ensuring sustainable funding for the outdoor recreation and conservation activities they value. In the "Documents" section on the right sidebar, you can find and download the following documents:

  • 4 The Outdoors Fees Engagement Plan: This document provides an overview of the goals and timeline for this engagement effort.
  • 4 The Outdoors Fees Talking Points: These talking points cover key issues like why fees are important, what role they play in funding DNR's work, and how members of the public can get involved. The conversation guide provides some example questions to jumpstart dialogue. This is a One DNR resource that is meant to complement your division's communications resources related to fees.
  • 4 The Outdoors Email Templates for Partner Outreach: This document contains email templates you can use to reach out to partner organizations, as well as email and social media templates those partner organizations can use to reach their membership.
  • Toolkit Photo Pack: This folder includes photos you can use and share as part of this engagement campaign. For example, if you're using the email templates for partner outreach, select a few photos relevant to your partner's interests and include them in your email to make it easy for partners to share on social media, through email newsletters, or other media.


Please note, this Engage with DNR page is for internal DNR staff only. The public Engage with DNR page to share with partners and the public is: https://engage.dnr.state.mn.us/reinvesting-in-minnesotas-outdoors


Page last updated: 18 Jun 2025, 08:52 AM