Purpose

• This bill is an appropriations act that allocates money from the environment and natural resources trust fund (ENRTF) and other funds for natural resources projects in Minnesota. It extends certain prior appropriations and sets the biennial (2026-2027) spending plan for a wide range of environmental, outdoor, education, and community resilience initiatives.

Key Provisions and What They Aim to Do

• Climate resilience, community planning, and AmeriCorps

  • Funds a Community Resiliency program through AmeriCorps to recruit and place members with local and tribal partners to support environmental management, outdoor recreation, and capacity building.
  • Supports Preparing Resilient Communities with Model Land Use Ordinances to help local governments plan and adopt model, climate-smart land use rules.
  • Includes a variety of projects to build resilience and capacity in communities, particularly in rural and tribal areas.

• Habitat, biodiversity, and forest protection

  • Grants to protect community forests, reduce emerald ash borer impacts, and support diverse tree canopy.
  • Projects to create climateresilient and biodiverse community spaces through partnerships with conservation groups and agencies.

• Flooding, water, and ecosystem health

  • Mapping and modeling flood-prone areas on Mille Lacs Tribal Lands to guide emergency planning and infrastructure decisions.
  • Studies and projects to improve water quality, reduce contaminants, and protect aquatic ecosystems (including PFAS, microplastics, and other emerging contaminants).

• Pollution control, drinking water, and technology

  • Research and development on technologies to remove contaminants (e.g., PFAS, phenolic compounds) and improve drinking water protection.
  • Projects examining contaminants in precipitation and aquifers, and developing dashboards and data to guide management.

• Education, outreach, and cultural engagement

  • Almanacs environment and natural resources desk (TV-based) to report on issues and host conversations about Minnesota’s environment.
  • Programs to expand environmental education, native fish exhibits, and youth engagement; multilingual and culturally relevant materials.
  • Initiatives connecting Indigenous communities and youth with nature, including art-science partnerships and interpretive signage.

• Outdoor recreation, trails, and public access

  • Significant investments in trails and recreation infrastructure (e.g., Duluth Traverse, Hardwood Creek Regional Trail, College/School collaboration to restore campuses, state trail system expansion, and river/water trail access).
  • Public access projects to the Mississippi River and other waterways, schoolyard nature improvements, and programs to bring outdoor learning to K-12 students.

• Community partnerships and governance

  • Funding streams support partnerships with universities (notably the University of Minnesota), tribal nations (e.g., Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation, Fond du Lac Band), local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
  • Projects involve collaborations with organizations like Three Rivers Park District, East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, and river/county coalitions to deliver programs.

• Timelines, duration, and termination

  • Many projects are multi-year, with some funding available through 2030-2031 and specific endpoints for deliverables.
  • Some items specify that funds must be spent and final products delivered by a set date.

Notable Changes to Existing Law

• Flexible funding uses
  • Some appropriations may be spent on green infrastructure and pollinator plantings on lands tied to long-term commitments, expanding prior restrictions.
• Extended or clarified funding windows
  • Several programs include longer availability windows (through 2030–2031) to complete projects, aligning with longer-term planning and impact goals.
• Cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration
  • Creates or expands partnerships among state agencies, universities, tribal nations, and nonprofits, increasing coordinated efforts in resilience, water quality, and education.

Funding Sources and Availability

• All programs are funded from the environment and natural resources trust fund (and/or other named funds) and are available for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 (the two-year biennium). Many projects extend beyond 2027, with some ending in 2030 or 2031.

Beneficiaries and Beneficiary Impact

• State agencies: Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Board of Water and Soil Resources, and related entities.
• Tribes and tribal nations: Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation, Fond du Lac Band, White Iron Chain of Lakes Association, and others.
• Higher education and public media: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Public Television, and others.
• Local governments, school districts, and community organizations across Minnesota.
• Minnesota residents, including underserved communities, who gain improved water quality, safer communities, more outdoor recreation opportunities, and enhanced environmental education.

Expected Impacts and Outcomes

• Stronger climate resilience and preparedness in rural and tribal communities.
• Improved water quality, reduced pollution, and better monitoring of contaminants (PFAS, microplastics, and others).
• Expanded access to nature and outdoor recreation, more inclusive environmental education, and strengthened connections between Indigenous communities and environmental stewardship.
• Enhanced data capabilities (dashboards, modeling, and public facing tools) to guide environmental management.
• Conservation of forests and urban canopies and reduced pest impacts (e.g., emerald ash borer).
• Growth in local economies through recreation infrastructure and nature-based education.

Implementation and Oversight

• Projects involve multiple state agencies and partners; some require matching plans, deliverables, and final product reporting.
• Several items reference collaboration with the Legislative-C Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for monitoring, evaluation, and public access to project results.

Relevant Timelines to Note

• Some projects have end dates as late as 2030 or 2031.
• Specific items require completion and final reporting by dates such as June 30, 2030 or 2031.

Relevant Terms - environment and natural resources trust fund - Minnesota Resources - Resiliency - AmeriCorps - Model Land Use Ordinances - ServeMinnesota - Great River Greening - Audubon - Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe - Emerald ash borer - MPFAS (PFAS) - microplastics - Vadnais Lake - Almanacs environment and natural resources desk - Friends of the Mississippi River - Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians - Boundary Waters Wilderness - LCCMR (Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources) - Wild Rice sulfate treatment - Anoka Rum River Dam - Mississippi River Water Trail - urban farming and nature-based education - green infrastructure - pollinator conservation - geologic atlases - karst aquifers - PFAS in precipitation - long-term continuous monitoring buoys

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific sections (e.g., education programs, water quality initiatives, or recreation infrastructure) or convert it into a shorter one-page brief.