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Regional Parks Policy and Planning Brown Bag Learning Opportunity
August 29, 2018 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Learn how Regional Parks Policy and Planning can impact the issues you work on
A critical comment period shaping our regional parks is underway until September 27. Learn what has been proposed and how to provide meaningful comments.
If you would like a box lunch for $10, please let Sara Wolff know by Monday, August 27.
Why were ecologically sensitive bluffs exploded away at Spring Lake Park Reserve? Why is Lebanon Hills Regional Park at risk of becoming a non-motorized transportation hub? Why is buckthorn and other invasive plants proficient throughout our regional parks? Why are prairies and woodlands being fragmented by asphalt and expanded hard infrastructure?
Why? Because the Regional Parks Policy Plan allows it. And now, that Policy Plan is being updated. Let’s make it better.
The Metropolitan Council is accepting public comments for the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan update now through Sept. 27 with a public hearing on Sept. 17. Attend a brown bag lunch on Wednesday, Aug. 29 from noon-1pm to learn why your input is crucial to help preserve and improve our unique and minimally developed Regional Parks for now and future generations of people and wildlife.
Metropolitan Regional Parks: Gateways to Nature, or A Missed Opportunity
Metropolitan Regional Parks contain significant regional natural resources such as lakeshore, wetlands, hardwood forests, native prairies, and groundwater recharging areas. It is considered a nature-based parks system and as such has the potential to:
· increase native habitat for pollinators
· provide healthy ecosystems for turtles, birds and other wildlife
· educate and inform people how to increase their own sustainable practices
· provide low-impact recreation and education opportunities
· inspire the next generation of environmental stewards
This potential, however, is at risk. The changes being considered in this update will allow regional parks to shift towards increasing built amenities – which threatens to erode nature-based opportunities while increasing unfunded, ongoing maintenance expenses. Much of the new construction could be financed with monies from the Legacy Amendment.
Within our metropolitan region, what will we leave the next generation: More infrastructure to take care of, or high-quality natural places close to home?
Join us for a presentation and engaging discussion by Holly Jenkins, Wilderness in the City, with Catherine Zimmer, Women Observing Wildlife – MN.
Wednesday, August 29
12 – 1 pm
MN Environmental Partnership Office
546 Rice Street
St. Paul