Land
Protecting Minnesota's environment
Nearly half of Minnesota’s original forests are gone.
More than half of Minnesota’s wetland habitat has disappeared in the last 100 years. That figure nears 95% for counties in the southern and western parts of the state.
And only a tiny fraction of Minnesota’s original native prairie remains.
Loss of habitat leads to loss of diversity and makes us all more vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate.
As much as Minnesota is defined by water, we live on the land. It’s up to us to protect this land for future generations of Minnesotans—for their health, their safety, and for their ability to enjoy the Great Outdoors.
That’s why protecting public lands and preserving habitat for pollinators, fish, and wildlife is a key program area for Conservation Minnesota.
In November of 2024, across every congressional district, state legislative district, and county in Minnesota, voters overwhelmingly passed a state amendment to renew lottery funds to support the Great Outdoors. During the 2025 legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers appropriated just over $28 million for the Community Grants program.
In November 2024—an election where many focused on division—Minnesotans came together and overwhelmingly voted to approve a constitutional amendment to rededicate state lottery funds for our Great Outdoors.
Conservation Minnesota worked to fully fund the Land & Water Conservation Fund, one of our nation’s most important programs to conserve land and improve outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the United States.
In 2008, Conservation Minnesota played a lead role in passing the Legacy Amendment. This act constitutionally dedicates three-eighths of 1% of the tax revenue for 25 years to preserve the state’s natural resources and arts legacy.
