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We have a constitutional amendment on the ballot to renew the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust fund. To date, this program has provided over $1 billion in stable, long-term funding for innovative projects to help protect our great outdoors without spending any tax dollars. State lottery proceeds have funded these conservation activities helping communities protect ecosystems, promote outdoor recreation, improve health outcomes, bolster agriculture and support businesses. Since this constitutional amendment began in 1988, over 1,700 projects have been funded for the protection and preservation of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife and other natural resources. This year’s vote enhances a new opportunity that includes all Minnesotans through a community grants program. This makes possible for smaller nonprofits and communities that have been historically left out of this process, to access these important state dollars. By voting no, or leaving it blank, this conservation funding will expire, turning the funds over to the Legislature’s discretion, which could leave a huge deficit in conservation funding.

Protect our parks, lakes and streams, wildlife, trails, and air by voting yes. To learn more go to the “Minnesotans for Our Great Outdoors” website.

Karen Olson
Albert Lea