by John Lenczewski, November 11, 2024

How last week’s election results will impact our ability to better protect, restore, and sustain coldwater fisheries and watersheds is not clear. Most conservation work gets done locally, especially with Minnesota’s environmental laws and dedicated funding. National politics usually has less impact here. Control of the Minnesota House will likely be shared in 2025 or perhaps swing across the aisle. This will present new opportunities, as well as challenges. MNTU is a nonpartisan conservation organization and has always worked with conservation-minded legislators, and the executive branch officials, regardless of political affiliation. Shared control of the legislature will probably mean fewer bills move to the floor, but good conservation policies should still advance.

The clearest message of Minnesota voters is that they value a healthy environment. A whopping 77.5 % of voters approved the reauthorization of the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) for another 25 years, directing 40% of state lottery proceeds “for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.” Hopefully all legislators will recognize that at least a majority of folks who voted for them, and a supermajority of their constituents, want to see our lands and waters protected and restored.

Conservation is where Minnesotans share common ground.

It will be weeks or months before we know what opportunities for conservation victories we might have in 2025 and beyond. We sincerely believe that conservation – the careful preservation and protection of natural resources through planned management to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect – is a nonpartisan issue. Conservationists from all political persuasions are among the thousands of sportsmen and women around the state that we represent. Minnesota Trout Unlimited will find ways to turn Minnesotans’ shared love for the outdoors into good conservation policies and work on the ground.