The Department of Natural Resources, the Metropolitan Council and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission are seeking qualified applicants to serve on the Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee. 

“The Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee plays a critical role in helping us achieve the vision Minnesotans have for use of the Parks and Trails Legacy funds and creates an accessible and equitable, integrated system of state and regional parks and trails in Minnesota,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr.

The purpose of the Legacy Advisory Committee is to promote and coordinate implementation of the 25 Year Parks and Trails Legacy Plan. Funding recommendations for individual projects is not a part of this committee’s work. The plan can be found at www.legacy.leg.mn/funds/parks-trails-fund/plan.

The deadline for applications is Friday, Nov. 30.

The committee is made up of 17 members, including, to the practical extent possible, diverse geographical and demographic representation. The committee has a mixture of park and trail professionals and Minnesota residents. Among the skills desired for the committee are backgrounds in youth programs, natural resource education, resource management, marketing, new technology, tourism, and business. Committee members should have expertise in two or more of the four strategic pillars of the plan:

• Connect people and the outdoors.
• Acquire land and create opportunities.
• Take care of what we have.
• Coordinate among partners.

Terms are two years with the option of being reappointed for a maximum of three terms. Meetings are scheduled every two months around the state, with an option to attend remotely.

Interested candidates may complete the application form online at www.legacy.leg.mn/ptlac/member-application or print it out and return it to Paul Purman, Department of Natural Resources, Box 39, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. Questions should be directed to Purman via phone at 651-259-5643 or email at [email protected].

The year 2018 marked the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Legacy Amendment by Minnesota voters, and 2019 is 10 years since the first Legacy-funded projects. The committee hosted a series of regional events during 2018 to celebrate Legacy accomplishments and engage Minnesotans on the question “What’s Your Legacy?” A final report on the regional events will be available in January.