September 17, 2024
For over 30 years, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) has provided over $1 billion in funding for projects that protect and improve Minnesota’s natural resources through the legislative appropriation of Minnesota State Lottery dollars. The ENRTF has made positive impacts on the quality of our waterways, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, access to parks and trails, and the health of agricultural resources. This includes research on the prevention, detection, and management of invasive species that costs the state about $3 billion annually.
Each housed in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC) and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) rely on funds from the ENRTF for research.
The current authorization to spend lottery dollars through the ENRTF is scheduled to expire in 2025. However, in November 2024, Minnesotans will have the opportunity to vote to renew this allocation through 2050.
The ballot language will be as follows:
Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Renewal
"Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?" [Yes/No]
If a voter does not vote on this item, and leaves the question blank, it will count as a “no” vote.
ENRTF supports University research and people
MITPPC and MAISRC use ENRTF funds to conduct critical research to discover new technologies and strategies to prevent, detect, and manage invasive species. ENRTF funding enables both centers to support multi-year research projects. This includes dozens of researchers, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates with diverse academic backgrounds. The leadership of the researchers and their collaboration with those around the state brings fresh ideas and new perspectives to the work. MITPPC is proud to be able to provide these researchers with the resources they need to address the state’s most pressing invasive species issues.
If ENRTF funding is not renewed, new research initiatives would significantly decline. There would be fewer options for land management for both existing and new invasive species threats. The quality of research would also suffer. One of the strengths of both MITPPC and MAISRC is the integration of researchers, practitioners, and educators on research projects. The centers also evaluate and rank priority species to ensure the wisest use of funds. Without funding from the ENRTF to support this collaborative work, research would become more siloed and less accessible to those who need solutions.
What researchers and partners have to say
“One of the greatest benefits to Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) has been being part of cutting edge research that’s affecting how restoration is being implemented. The research that comes out of MITPPC, and is funded by MITPPC, is some of the most important and practical research from the U that is funded by the legislature. The breadth of projects and the numbers of acres that can benefit from that is unparalleled.”
Alex Roth, Land Conservation Program Director, Friends of the Mississippi River
“MITPPC has given me an opportunity to work with research faculty, and when I am fully engaged, good things happen; it’s good for me and for Extension. The outcomes of collaborative research projects have direct and immediate impacts to the audiences I work with and results get incorporated into our programs.”
Angela Gupta, Regional Extension Educator, University of Minnesota
“Invasive forest pathogens and pests attack our forest and urban landscapes causing enormous losses. It is essential to do everything we can to stop them. Funds provided by the ENRTF are helping to win the fight against these invasives and save Minnesota’s natural resources.”
Robert A. Blanchette, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota
"Funding from MITPPC has provided the opportunity to develop unprecedented approaches to detecting invasive species. Our remote sensing of leafy spurge from satellite images enables current management and the development of predictive models for future management with climate change."
Dave Moeller, Professor, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota
Making good on the state’s investment
Since its inception by the legislature in 2014, MITPPC has used investments from the ENRTF to conduct more than 60 research projects on priority invasive species issues. This has supported over 100 multidisciplinary researchers who have published over 120 academic papers. It’s difficult to speak to every accomplishment at this scale. The impact of the ENRTF on research capabilities at MITPPC has been significant and there are yet many invasive species issues threatening the state.
Consider the positive effect the ENRTF has had in Minnesota, especially when invested in research at the University. Help us to share this information with others so voters have the information they need on November 6.
More information
2024 Minnesota Constitutional Amendment Language
National Voter Registration Day is September 17, 2024
ENRTF frequently asked questions
House OKs bill asking voters to reauthorize lottery proceeds benefiting environmental trust fund, Minnesota Legislature
Lottery-related ballot measure awaits Minnesota voters, MPR
Voters to decide whether to keep using Minnesota Lottery proceeds for the outdoors, Star Tribune
Minnesotans for our Great Outdoors