Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 27, as Public Lands Day in Minnesota, recognizing the vital role public lands play in Minnesota’s environmental stewardship, identity and economy.
The proclamation aligns with National Public Lands Day —the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands in the United States —and National Hunting and Fishing Day, which recognizes the contributions of hunters and anglers to wildlife and habitat conservation.
“The state’s public lands are essential to mitigating the impacts of climate change; providing clean water and air; conserving habitat for pollinators and other wildlife; and protecting rare plants, animals and geologic features,” Walz said in the proclamation.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages 5.6 million acres of public land, including state parks and recreation areas, wildlife and aquatic management areas, scientific and natural areas, and state forests, all of which offer diverse outdoor recreation experiences that enrich the lives of people who live in and visit Minnesota. The DNR depends on strong partnerships to collectively steward, manage, protect and conserve public lands for current and future generations. These partnerships include the 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations that share geography with Minnesota, as well as federal, state, local and nonprofit partners, and more than 14,500 volunteers.
“From rolling prairies, to oak savannas, to coniferous forests and more, our public lands are as unique and diverse as Minnesotans themselves. I encourage everyone to celebrate Public Lands Day in Minnesota by getting outside and enjoying our incredible public lands,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “We’re deeply thankful for the partnerships that help ensure these public natural spaces are cared for and enjoyed by all, now and into the future.”
One example of the state investing in improving habitat, recreational experiences, economic benefits and sustainability on public lands in Minnesota is the $150 million Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative, which in 2025 alone has contributed to projects like: safety, access and natural resource protection upgrades; comprehensive accessibility updates at state parks and other DNR-managed public lands; expansion of the DNR’s all-terrain track chair program; and new fishing piers.
“Minnesotans and visitors are already seeing and experiencing the benefits of Get Out MORE investments to improve our world-class outdoor recreation system and will continue to see even more completed projects in the next few years,” Strommen said.
Investing in public lands also supports the strong outdoor economy in Minnesota, which creates tens of thousands of jobs and facilitates billions in annual economic output throughout the entire state.
The DNR works to integrate and sustain the independent values of a healthy environment, a sustainable economy, and livable communities by: conserving the diversity of natural lands, waters, and habitat; managing natural land such as forests, wetlands, and native prairies; maintaining healthy populations of fish and wildlife; protecting rare plant and animal communities; providing access to enrich public outdoor recreational opportunities; managing state forest lands for multiple forest values, ensuring maximum long-term economic return from school trust lands; and providing other economic opportunities in a manner consistent with sound natural resource conservation and management principles.
Find information about the recreational, economic, public health and climate benefits of DNR-managed lands and how people can connect to the outdoors on the DNR website.