
The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), created by a 1988 constitutional amendment, is funded by the Minnesota Lottery. It supports projects that protect and enhance Minnesota’s air, water, land, wildlife, and other natural resources. Since 1991, the ENRTF has contributed over $1 billion to more than 1,600 statewide initiatives.
As you may have heard from MPR News and the Star Tribune, Minnesota voters will soon have the opportunity to renew this policy, which has funded clean lakes, healthy forests, and outdoor recreation for over 30 years. While voters have overwhelmingly supported this amendment in the past, it’s important to note that leaving this question blank on your ballot will count as a “no” vote. We encourage all Minnesota residents to stay informed about this important amendment and vote YES on their ballots this November!
If you’ve been to Belwin Conservancy, you’ve likely experienced lottery funds at work. Here are three ways the ENRTF has directly supported habitat protection and community access to nature at Belwin.
Public Access and Restoration at Oxbow Trails

In 2020, ENRTF funds helped Belwin acquire Oxbow Trails, 27 acres of floodplain forest and wetland that is currently being restored back to healthy habitat. Opened to the public in 2022, the trails provide a glimpse of the scenic beauty of Valley Creek. Restoration efforts have focused on removing invasive species and restoring native plants, which will protect water quality and ensure the ecosystems thrive. Purchased in partnership with the City of Afton, Washington County Land and Legacy, and ENRTF funds through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Oxbow Trails is a hub for hikes and educational nature programs, and a resource to our entire community.
Valley Creek Bluff

Acquired by Belwin in 2022 with funds from the ENRTF, the Valley Creek Bluff property is a unique ecological area that plays a crucial role in advancing Belwin’s restoration and conservation efforts. Protecting this land, home to rare bluff prairie ecosystems, contributes to the health of Valley Creek, which impacts our groundwater and the St. Croix River, which is just downstream. Restoration efforts along the creek not only preserve its delicate environment but also safeguard the health of our environment for future generations.
Anishinabe Academy Partnership

Anishinabe Academy and Belwin have partnered to create a dedicated educational site where indigenous youth can reconnect with their language and culture. The 19-acre site features four distinct habitats, making it an ideal space for environmental education, cultural learning, gardening, and habitat restoration. This partnership combines Belwin’s expertise with Indigenous knowledge to foster meaningful collaboration. Supported by ENRTF funding recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), the program uses environmental education as a pathway for students to reconnect with their cultural heritage and nature, while also promoting cooperative stewardship of sensitive habitats.
Vote YES on your ballot this Election Day
You’ll find this measure on your 2024 general election ballot. We encourage you to vote YES. Leaving it blank counts as a NO vote.
Learn more about why renewing the fund is so important and how you can support it this fall.