GMPTonline forums connect parks and trails professionals as we discuss issues and share ideas. Forums can also be viewed on the GMPT YouTube page.
Emerald Ash Borer Mitigation – May 13, 2025: Ash trees are such an important forest cover in both urban and natural Minnesota parks and trail corridors. As more of us navigate the mitigation of high-risk, dying trees, and replacing lost canopy, we need to learn together! What is working, what has been cost effective, and what resources are available?
GMPT aimed to answer these questions by hosting a discussion on Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) management led by Josh Baas, City of Elk River Parks Maintenance Foreman. Josh shared the strategy being employed by the City and what has been learned so far, as well as tips and tricks that others can apply to their own facilities. Removals largely happen in the fall through winter seasons so having this discussion now will help better position parks and trails professionals to efficiently implement management when the season comes.
Driftless Hiking Trail – March 19, 2025: This forum on trail development featured special guest speaker Alexa Shapiro, the Director of the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail project. Alexa presented an overview of the project, which aims to create a 100+ mile backpacking trail across southeastern Minnesota’s driftless area, including its goals, timeline, partnerships, and proposed trail routes. The presentation concluded with discussions on how to get involved in the project, potential challenges, and suggestions for further collaboration with local organizations and landowners.
Legislative Update – March 14, 2025: Elizabeth Wefel, the lobbyist from Flaherty and Hood, provided a legislative update, discussing the current state of the legislative session and the legislative agenda. She also highlighted the importance of member involvement in the legislative lobbying efforts of GMPT and discussed several financial and legislative issues affecting parks and trails funding. Lastly, Elizabeth emphasized the importance of connecting with lawmakers and sharing feedback, and encouraged everyone to stay engaged.
GMPTLegislative Action Day 2025 – February 25, 2025: This year’s event provided networking opportunities, speakers from key partners, advice on lobbying, connections with a few government officials, and time for lobbying. The day’s events kicked off with a presentation from GMPT Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel, who provided an in-depth discussion of GMPT’s legislative priorities and some helpful tips on lobbying legislators. Featured speakers included the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Sarah Strommen and Assistant Commissioner Shannon Lotthamer, who discussed the strategic initiatives at the DNR, opportunities for partnership, and the tips and tricks on DNR grants. Executive Director Renee Mattson from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) also spoke about the Commission’s latest work.
Legislative Update – February 14, 2025: Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel leads a discussion on recent developments at the legislature, including GMPT’s legislative agenda and several bills affecting parks and trails in Greater Minnesota. The forum covered topics such as legacy funding, administrative costs, local sales tax legislation, and various other bills related to state trails and grants. Elizabeth also addressed concerns about upcoming legislation that could impact cities more than counties and discussed plans for an upcoming event, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in parkland development.
Grant Information – January 28, 2025: In this forum all about grants, GMPT staff and representatives from the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC), and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) discuss funding opportunities and answer questions about the process for each one.
Legislative Update – January 10, 2025: Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel provides a legislative preview where she discusses GMPT’s policy goals, what to expect this session, a few tips on reaching out to legislators, and much more.
Legislative Update – April 26, 2024: Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel discusses the most recent legislative developments concerning parks and trails priorities as the Legislature prepares for the end of its session. With so much work left to be done, this is the most crucial legislative forum yet.
Q&A with GMRPTC Legacy Grant Coordinators – March 25, 2024: If you are thinking about writing a Parks and Trails Legacy Grant this year, you’ll definitely want to watch this forum! This forum offered an in-depth discussion with the grant coordinators for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) and provided a great opportunity to ask questions and learn great tips and tricks for the application process.
GMPT Legislative Action Day – March 14, 2024: This year’s event provided networking opportunities, speakers from key partners, advice on lobbying, connections with a few elected officials, and time for lobbying. The day’s events featured presentations from GMPT Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel, who discussed GMPT’s legislative priorities and provided tips on lobbying. Executive Director Renee Mattson from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) also spoke about the Commission’s latest work. This year also featured award ceremony for Sen. Grant Hauschild, who received GMPT’s “Legislative Champion” award and discussed the important legislation he will be carrying for GMPT.
Q&A with DNR Grant Coordinators – Feb. 29, 2024: Grant work can be tricky business, so it’s important to know your grant coordinators to help you through the process. The DNR has had a few shifts and changes with their grants department in the last few months, so we invited some of the staff to have a meet and greet with GMPT members!
The forum offered a chance to meet new grant coordinators, provided updates on DNR grants, and allowed time for Q&A for those who wanted a little insider help understanding the wide variety of available DNR grants.
Navigating Park Commissions & Friends Groups – Dec. 6, 2023: It goes without saying that parks commissions and friends groups provide much-needed support for parks and trail systems. Whether it’s providing funding, trail maintenance, or other essential services, they are important assets in the development of and expanding access to parks and trails. This forum featured a discussion with parks and trails professionals about the role that these groups play in parks and trails.
Cannabis Challenges for Parks & Trails – Sept. 21, 2023: In this forum, GMPT brought in a few experts to talk about marijuana legalization, what it means for parks and trails, and their experience with the new law thus far. Kyle Hartnett, Assistant Research Manager at the League of Minnesota Cities, as well as a few city and county members who have already adopted policies on marijuana use, provided updates on the law’s details, answered questions, and discussed the issues everyone is facing.
Accessibility & Sensory Sensitivities – June 20, 2023: During this forum, local advocates participate in a discussion about increasing accessibility for those with sensory sensitivities and visual impairments. Guest speakers Michele Ensign and Mary Lee Turner explain some of the challenges are for individuals with sensory sensitivities and what changes can be made to help develop better planning practices for well-rounded accessibility.
Archaeological Surveys & New Grant Opportunity Forum – May 16, 2023: This forum discusses a new GMRPTC grant opportunity designed to reduce cost barriers when conducting required environmental studies ahead of improvement projects. Professional archaeologist & lifelong preservationist Dr. Jeremy Nienow explains the when, where, how, & why of archaeological surveys as environmental studies.
Legislative Update – April 28, 2023: With so much work yet to be done, lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel explains the most recent legislative developments concerning parks and trails priorities as the Legislature prepares for the end of its session.
Legislative Update – Feb. 24, 2023: With the legislative session moving at a fast and furious pace, lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel discusses the most recent legislative developments involving many of GMPT’s policy priorities and offers insight on the path ahead.
Native Prairie Restoration – February 2023: Seasoned conservation practitioner Frances Gerde discusses why prairie habitat is a critical component of outdoor recreation areas; the space required to facilitate and how to establish a prairie habitat; and management considerations. Sherburne County Parks Coordinator Gina Hugo presented a case-study of a unique prairie restoration in a Sherburne County Park. For additional resources, see below:
Legislative Update – January 2023: GMPT lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel provides updates and valuable information on legislative activities and topics that members should keep an eye on as legislators return to work at the Capitol.
Connecting with Your Legislators – November 2022: With election season over, many districts are welcoming new legislators or city officials. During this forum, GMPT lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel discussed how to build and maintain valuable connections with your legislators, and the importance of developing a relationship that will help promote and support all Greater Minnesota parks and trails. Click here for the presentation materials.
Parks Planning Series: Project Pre-Work Requirements – August 2022: The third forum in our new Summer series, Parks Planning! Guest speakers from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the National Heritage Information System (NHIS) review team provided valuable insight on some of the pre-work tasks required before beginning many types of parks and trails projects.
Parks Planning Series: Public Engagement – July 2022: The second forum in our new Summer series, Parks Planning! Guest speakers HKGi Consulting and Gina Hugo from Sherburne County Parks offered insight on public engagement efforts, which are a major component of the planning process from projects to master plans.
Parks Planning Series: Master Planning – June 2022: The first of several monthly forums in our new Summer series, Parks Planning! Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) System Plan Coordinator, Joe Czapiewski, provided valuable information on creating and updating your master plans.
RFP 101 – April 2022: Several GMPT business members collaborated on this forum to discuss RFP development.
E-bikes forum – January 2022
DNR grants – January 2022
Connecting teens to the outdoors – January 2022
Policies: Dedications, memorials, and special events – July 2021
