Nature as we age grant program established, and money appropriated.
Summary
HF3025 would create a new “Nature as We Age” grant program within the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The commissioner of natural resources would be required to administer grants for outdoor education and recreation opportunities tied to natural resources, specifically for older adults. Eligible grantees would include public entities and private nonprofit organizations.
The bill directs the commissioner to prioritize grants that help older adults directly experience nature, serve the largest number of participants, reach older adults with limited access to outdoor natural-resource activities, make use of public parks and other natural-resource venues and staff, and leverage matching funds or in-kind support. The bill also includes an unspecified general fund appropriation for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the program.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new section to Minnesota Statutes chapter 84 establishing a state grant program focused on older adults and nature-based programming. It would expand the Department of Natural Resources’ responsibilities by authorizing and administering grants to public and nonprofit organizations for outdoor education and recreation activities. The bill would also require a future appropriation from the general fund to fund the program, though the dollar amount is left blank in the introduced text.
Sentiment
There is limited recorded legislative discussion or voting history available for HF3025, so overall sentiment cannot be measured from committee debate or floor action. Based on the bill’s structure and caption, it appears to be a supportive, service-oriented proposal aimed at increasing access to outdoor experiences for older adults, with no documented opposition in the available materials.
Contention
No committee transcript or vote record is available, so no specific points of contention are documented. Potential issues that could arise from the bill’s design include the size and source of the appropriation, how grants would be distributed among public and nonprofit applicants, and whether the program’s priorities sufficiently target underserved older adults versus broader participation goals.
Environment and natural resources trust fund appropriations allocated, prior appropriations modified, grant programs established, report required, and money appropriated.
Commissioner of natural resources funding provided for grants under the environment and natural resources trust fund community grant program, and money appropriated.
Mattress recycling program; assessment established for each mattress and box spring sold in the state to fund grants to local governments to expand mattress recycling programs, and money appropriated.
Assessment for each mattress and box spring sold in the state to fund grants to local governments to expand mattress recycling programs establishment; appropriating money