Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for Diversifying Nature Education Access
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Recommendation
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1. Ratify the submittal of the grant application to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $438,000.
2. Accept the grant award and approve a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for culturally relevant and inclusive environmental education programming for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030 in the amount of $438,000.
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
4. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to agreements in accordance with the county's procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
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Background and Rationale
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Research indicates a persistent racial disparity between park usership and access to nature education. To address this "nature gap," Ramsey County is leveraging a $438,000 grant from the State of Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. This project directly supports Ramsey County’s Strategic Priorities-specifically Advancing Racial and Health Equity and Shared Community Power and Advancing Resident-Centered Holistic Supports by intentionally creating access to culturally relevant and inclusive environmental education.
The grant funding will exponentially expand the impact of two existing community partnerships: a Pre-K nature program with Saint Paul Public Schools and an Artists-in-Residence collaboration with Dakota educators Marlena Myles and Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wíŋ. Over the next four years, the county will fund an outreach specialist at Tamarack Nature Center to connect with racially diverse residents, host Indigenous-led plant walks and medicinal workshops at Battle Creek, and install open-source interpretive signage designed through an Indigenous lens. By centering marginalized voices and uplifting underserved communities, this initiative actively works to heal historical inequities and restore the community's relationship with the land.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This project specifically aims to bridge the "nature gap" for underserved communities as well as racially and ethnically diverse communities in Ramsey County. It creates access to culturally relevant and inclusive environmental education. Additionally, the project will lift the voices of marginalized communities by offering meaningful interpretation of Dakota life, history, and connections to the land, utilizing open-source signage developed by local Indigenous experts.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The department has engaged in collaborative partnerships with Saint Paul Public Schools and Dakota artists and educators. The community, including local Indigenous groups and underserved families, will continue to be engaged through co-developed programming, family events, and workshops. Furthermore, the project includes milestones to collect feedback and survey participants in order to evaluate events and incorporate community feedback into future programming.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funds are included in the Parks and Recreation department’s 2026 budget. The total original project cost was estimated at $517,500. The county was officially awarded $438,000 from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to be used on a reimbursement basis. There is also an in-kind match of $67,500 for administrative costs and this has been built into the departments operating budget. The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) for the Tamarack Outreach Naturalist position is from an existing FTE within the county for the three-year period of the grant. A grant number and budget adjustment will be made once the agreement is approved.
Last Previous Action
On March 18, 2025, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to Support Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund grant application (Resolution B2025-056).
Attachments
1. Grant Agreement