A Look at Legacy

Minnesota is regarded as one of the best states in the country for trail recreation, with more the 30,000 miles of multi-use trails criss-crossing the state. Municipal or regional authorities manage many of the trails, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources oversees the longer trails that run for miles from town to town. As Don Lee reports, the DNR and trail users depend on the Legacy Amendment to fund much-needed maintenance on a system that’s now several decades old. [Read Transcript...]

The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council administers dozens of programs intended to preserve and restore the first languages of the Native Americans who’ve lived in the state for centuries. As Don Lee reports, if they’re successful, the efforts will bolster pride and protect a vital cultural asset. [Read Transcript...]

Through its Prairie Recovery Project, the Nature Conservancy is collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the federal government, and local soil and water conservation districts to protect thousands of acres of prairie land. They work with landowners to identify and acquire property that best represents the characteristics of native prairie. They implement restoration measures such as controlled burns and cattle grazing, which prevent the land from turning into forest. As Don Lee reports, these efforts are important, but their value can be easy to overlook. [Read Transcript...]

The Soudan Mine in northern Minnesota has not been a productive source of iron ore for nearly 50 years. The mine is now a state park, open to visitors. But as Don Lee reports, its depths contain another natural resource that may have long-lasting economic and environmental benefits. [Read Transcript...]