Yesterday in the Senate Environment Policy and Legacy Finance Committee, Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) presented legislation that appropriates key funding to Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund based on recommendations provided by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.

The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is composed of eight citizens and four legislators and makes annual recommendations to the legislature for use of the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Since its creation in 2008, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council has recommended programs and funding that have protected, restored, or enhanced over 1 million acres of Minnesota forests, prairies and wetlands. This year’s recommendations cover an additional 80,000 acres. 

“This bill is the culmination of a full year’s worth of work,” said Lang.“This is an all-encompassing bill that focuses on projects throughout Minnesota. It’s important that we maintain and protect our state’s wonderful natural resources, so that they may be enjoyed by future generations.”

This bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee.