Transportation grants

The MNDNR Parks and Trails Division is currently accepting grant applications to pay for transportation expenses to Minnesota state parks and trails for prescheduled naturalist-led programs. These programs provide educational opportunities to explore Minnesota's rich natural and cultural history.

How it works

Transportation grants provide funding in the form of reimbursement up to $5,000, to cover the cost of transportation to and from Minnesota state parks to attend prescheduled naturalist-led programs. Trip planning and program logistics should be coordinated with the interpretive naturalist prior to applying for the grant.

Programs must be attended prior to June 30, 2025.

Eligible applicants

Schools, youth groups and community organizations.

Minimum requirements

Diversity, equity and inclusion are key values of the DNR. One of our goals is to provide inclusive state parks and trails interpretation and environmental education programs. This grant program is intended to serve audiences from lower income communities, by providing access to Minnesota state parks naturalist-led programs.

Applicants must meet one or more of the criteria listed below. Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted.

  • The applicant has Title One status.
  • At least 40% of the applicants participants are enrolled in free and reduced priced school lunch programs.
  • Must be a registered SWIFT (StateWide Integrated Financial Tools) vendor. Register as a SWIFT vendor or access additional SWIFT vendor resources

Project period

Transportation funding needs to be used prior to June 30, 2025.

How to apply

The completed application, grant award notification document, letter of approval and a workplan should be completed and submitted to the park naturalist at the state park you plan to visit.

A full list of state park naturalist contacts can be found below.

Contacts

Grant contact

Eric Pelto, Special Programs Coordinator: [email protected] or phone 651-259-5577.

Interpretive naturalist contacts

Afton State Park
Phone: 651-231-6968
Address: 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings, MN 55033
Blue Mounds State Park
Phone: 507-283-6050
Address: 1410 161st Street, Luverne, MN 56156
Buffalo River State Park
Phone: 218-498-2124
Address: 565 155th Street South, Glyndon, MN 56547
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
Phone: 507-808-8000
Address: 21071 County 118, Preston, MN 55965
Fort Snelling State Park
Phone: 612-279-3560, 612-279-3561 or 612-279-3562
Address: 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN 55111
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Phone: 218-595-7108
Address: 3206 Highway 61, Two Harbors, MN 55616
Grand Portage State Park
Phone: 218-877-8633
Address: 9393 East Highway 61, Grand Portage, MN 55605
Interstate State Park
Phone: 651-539-4504
Address: 307 Milltown Road, P.O. Box 254, Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Itasca State Park
Phone: 218-699-7259 or 218-699-7252
Address: 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, MN 56470
Jay Cooke State Park
Phone: 218-673-7005 or 218-673-7006
Address: 780 Highway 210, Carlton, MN 55718
Lake Bemidji State Park
Phone: 218-308-2328
Address: 3401 State Park Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
Lake Carlos State Park
Phone: 320-852-7471 ext. 225
Address: 2601 County Road 38 NE, Carlos, MN 56319
Lake Vermilion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Phone: 218-300-7005
Address: P.O. Box 335, Soudan, MN 55782
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Phone: 320-532-3269
Address: 15066 Kathio State Park Road, Onamia, MN 56359
Minneopa State Park
Phone: 507-384-8890
Address: 54497 Gadwall Road, Mankato, MN 56001
Nerstrand Big Woods
Phone: 507-384-6140
Address: 9700 170th Street East, Nerstrand, MN 55053
Sibley State Park
Phone: 320-354-2002
Address: 800 Sibley Park Road NE, New London, MN 56273
St. Croix State Park
Phone: 320-280-7890 (April 1 – September 25)
Address: 30065 St. Croix Park Road, Hinckley, MN 55037
Tettegouche State Park
Phone: 218-353-8809
Address: 5702 Highway 61, Silver Bay, MN 55614
Whitewater State Park
Phone: 507-312-2308 or 507-312-2307
Address: 19041 Highway 74, Altura, MN 55910
Wild River State Park
Phone: 651-583-2125 ext. 227
Address: 39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012
William O'Brien State Park
Phone: 651-539-4986
Address: 16821 O’Brien Trail, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

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