To increase, protect and enhance natural and scenic areas.
Provides matching grants to local units of government and school districts for up to 50% of the cost of acquisition of natural and scenic areas. Minimal betterment activities are eligible as part of an acquisition project including site surveying, boundary signage, and immediate measures needed to stabilize the site and ensure the safety of users and active restoration efforts that would significantly improve the site's natural resource values.
The State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is Minnesota's outdoor recreation policy plan. This plan was developed with public and stakeholder input. It establishes outdoor recreation priorities for Minnesota to assist outdoor recreation and natural resource managers, the state legislature, and the executive branch in decision-making about the state's outdoor recreation system and sets out criteria for awarding grants consistent with these identified priorities. The 2026-2030 SCORP is under review by the National Park Service. The SCORP website will be updated once it is approved. Although there have not been significant changes to the strategic priorities, there are changes you will need to review for this year's application.