Free admission at all 75 Minnesota state parks on Saturday, June 9

Jay Cooke State Park

Admission is free at all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, June 9, which is National Get Outdoors Day. 

Special programs taking place June 9 at Minnesota state parks include: 

Pop Can Casting, 11 a.m.-noon, Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul. Make a fishing pole with a pop can. Bring a clean can with the tab still attached and meet at the fishing pier. 

Peregrine Falcons, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors. Drop by the Visitor Center Auditorium to see live falcons and learn about these remarkable birds from Jackie Fallon of the Midwest Peregrine Society. 

Outdoor Recreation Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Father Hennepin State Park on Lake Mille Lacs near Isle. Displays, demonstrations and activities, including stand-up paddleboarding, fish identification, and a kids fish casting range. There will also be a special appearance by Smokey Bear (11-11:20 a.m.), followed by Archery in the Park (1-3 p.m.) for ages 8 and older. 

Family Outdoor Fair, noon- 3 p.m., Whitewater State Park near Winona in southeastern Minnesota. Make a walking stick and visit activity stations, including archery, trout fishing, geocaching, canoeing, bird watching and more. 

Minnesota Zoomobile, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Minneopa State Park in Mankato. Live animals, storytelling, and an ice cream social. 

Nature Photography, 2-3 p.m., Big Bog State Recreation Area in Waskish.  Join a naturalist to learn some basic techniques. A limited number of digital cameras will be provided, or visitors can use other digital equipment (cell phone welcome, too). 

For a complete list of statewide programs, with times and locations, visit www.mndnr.gov.

Great Outdoors Month proclamation

WHEREAS: The DNR manages our state lands on behalf of all Minnesotans, and continually
strives to ensure the state's public land base meets recreation, conservation, and
economic needs into the future; and

WHEREAS: The mental and physical benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are well
documented; and

WHEREAS: Minnesotans can enjoy outstanding outdoor opportunities, including in 75 state
parks and recreation areas, 25 state trails, 35 state water trails, 59 state forests
and thousands of miles of snowmobile, off-highway vehicle, ski and horse trails;
and

WHEREAS: Minnesota State parks and trails are the backbone of the state's $15 billion
tourism industry, which employs 265,000 people; and

WHEREAS: This year marks the tenth anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water, land
and legacy Amendment, which provides critical funding for acquiring land,
taking care of what we have, connecting people to the outdoors, and
coordinating with partners; and

WHEREAS: In celebration of National Get Outdoors Day, admission to all Minnesota State
Parks and Recreation Areas is free on June 9, 2018.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARK DAYTON, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the month
of June 2018, as: GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH