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Funding Assistance

Long Lake Conservation Center is committed to expanding access to outdoor education. To help make overnight Outdoor School trips more accessible, qualifying schools may be eligible to receive funding assistance/financial aid.

 

Schools interested in funding support can complete an OUTDOOR SCHOOL INQUIRY FORM. Funding assistance for overnight Outdoor School experiences is made possible through support from Minnesota’s Outdoor School for All legislation and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

About Outdoor School for All in Minnesota

Outdoor School for All was established in June 2025 when Governor Tim Walz signed the legislation into law, creating a statewide grant program to expand access to overnight outdoor education for students in grades 4–12.This initiative supports accredited residential environmental learning centers in delivering multi-day, immersive experiences that integrate: Environmental and natural science learning Outdoor recreation and skill-building Cultural and place-based education.

Grant Information & Public Disclosure

 

Project Title:  Outdoor School for All

Grant Award Amount: $130,507.40

Project Duration: Through June 30, 2028

 

Grantee Contact:

Dave McMillan, Manager

(218) 768-4653

dave@longlakecc.org

 

Outdoor School is funded by the State of Minnesota and administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

Long Lake Conservation Center receives funding through the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

 

The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.

 

Currently 40% of net Minnesota State Lottery proceeds are dedicated to growing the Trust Fund and ensuring future benefits for Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.”

About the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund

2025-26 School Year... by the numbers

This school year, a total of 3,515 students visited Long Lake for an immersive nature experience compared to 3,061 last year. In total, $284,280 was awarded in financial assistance to schools, students and teachers.

 

2025-26 School Year Student Participation

  • 53 schools attended Long Lake

  • 3,208 students attended an overnight nature field trip

  • 307 students attended a nature day trip

  • Hundreds more learned about nature when LLCC took our nature programming directly to the schools or into the community

  • Countless memories were made

  • Students drank approximately 27.8 gallons of bog water

 

Funding Assistance

  • Outdoor School for All awarded $43,363 in student financial aid

  • Outdoor School for All awarded $17,365 in transportation assistance

  • Outdoor School for All awarded $2,950 in teacher stipends

  • LCCMR awarded $141,311 in student financial aid

  • LCCMR awarded $58,207 in transportation assistance

  • LCCMR awarded $8,050 in teacher stipends

  • The Long Lake Conservation Foundation awarded $13,034 in student financial aid

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