Investing in Minnesota’s Outdoor Resources

Starting in 2021, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources led a transformational effort, in collaboration with a diverse cross-section of people, to identify what Minnesotans value for the future of conservation and outdoor recreation and what steps we collectively need to take to reach that future. Through a year-long process of conversations and public engagement, a shared vision for funding the future of outdoor recreation and conservation emerged. This vision included four guideposts:

• Future generations benefit from sustained and improved outdoor recreation experiences and conservation of natural resources.
• Minnesotans work together to support diverse outdoor recreation opportunities and conservation of our state’s natural features.
• Conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities equitably meet the needs of all Minnesotans.
• Conservation and outdoor recreation align with and are integrated into Minnesota state priorities.

Taking collective action

This vision resulted in the creation of the 4 The Outdoors Report. This framework identifies some of the biggest challenges in securing adequate financial resources to support natural resource management for conservation and outdoor recreation, and also identifies concrete steps we can take to advance on the path towards financial stability and sustainability moving forward. To achieve the vision for the future of outdoor recreation and conservation in Minnesota, there are four areas where action is needed:

1. Optimize the use of current funding
2. Explore the use and application of fees
3. Increase opportunities for direct support
4. Secure stable and predictable base and operational funding

Progress on any one of these actions will help Minnesota advance on the path toward the vision. Progress on all four actions is critical to fully realize what Minnesotans want for the future. These actions require a shared effort on the part of Minnesota DNR, its partners, legislators, nonprofits, and environmental organizations.

To see updates on what we’ve accomplished so far, check out the 4 The Outdoors webpage.

Ideas from Minnesotans

We asked for your ideas to address the challenge of securing adequate financial resources to support natural resource management for conservation and outdoor recreation over the long term, and you delivered! We received hundreds of ideas and possible solutions from Minnesotans all around the state. These suggestions largely fell into the following categories:

• New or increased taxes, such as a dedicated sales tax on outdoor recreation equipment
• New fees or new ways to approach fees, such as an easy way to add a park pass during vehicle registration or renewal
• New or increased direct support, such as expansion of public-private partnerships or creation of an endowment
• Increased share of Minnesota’s General Fund for conservation and outdoor recreation, such as creating a benchmark for funding that is predictable and stable
• Increased flexibility in the use of existing funds

We know that there is not a single, “silver bullet” solution that will address the systemic challenges we face. The funding system is complex and a single, simple solution will not be enough. That’s why we are asking for your help guiding the development of a set of solutions which reflect and help us sustain the values Minnesotans place on our natural resources.

How to get involved

There are several ways to get involved and share your thoughts with DNR to guide this work, including:

• Share your ideas, values, and preferences for future funding solutions through the 4 The Outdoors Public Input Questionnaire. It takes about 10 minutes to complete, and will help shape the future of this initiative. We request your input by July 19, 2024.
• Ask a question, tell your story, or share your favorite place in Minnesota using the input tools below.
• Read the 4 The Outdoors Report.
• Talk to your friends, family, and DNR and elected officials about what you love in Minnesota’s natural places and why stable funding for these resources is important to you!