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In this episode of Explore Minnesota More, we sit down with Trevor Pumnea, Executive Director of the Northland Arboretum, to discuss one of the most exciting recreation projects in Central Minnesota—transforming a former landfill into the region’s largest bike skills park.

Trevor shares his unconventional journey from building logging roads in Idaho to earning a PhD in Parks and Recreation, eventually leading efforts to revitalize the Brainerd-Baxter area through bold outdoor recreation projects. We dive deep into:

🚲 The vision behind the bike park and how it balances recreation, conservation, and education
🌱 Reclaiming landscapes — turning a literal landfill into a community asset
🛠️ The unique construction challenges (like building on trash!) and innovative design solutions
🦋 Why this might become the nation’s first bike park with monarch butterfly habitat
💪 How the Arboretum leverages community partnerships and volunteers to punch far above its weight
🌳 What makes Northland Arboretum a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts year-round

Whether you're a mountain biking junkie, a land reclamation nerd, or someone who just loves a good grassroots success story, this episode is for you.

🎉 Save the Dates:

• Tot Track & Adaptive Trail Opens: May 3, 2025
• Full Bike Park Opening: July 12, 2025

🧢 Hosted by Randolph Briley
 🎧 Subscribe and listen to Explore Minnesota More wherever you get your podcasts.
💌 Know someone who’d love this episode? Share it with a fellow trail lover or bike park dreamer.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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🎧 Listen in as we head to Winona, Minnesota — a vibrant river town that’s redefining what it means to invest in outdoor recreation as a cornerstone of community and economic development.

In this episode of Explore Minnesota More, we sit down with three key figures who’ve helped transform Winona into a year-round outdoor destination:

• Scott Sherman, Mayor of Winona
• Pat Mutter, Executive Director of Visit Winona
• Eric Barnard, Outdoor recreation advocate, guide, and educator

Hosted by Randolph Briley, Director of Minnesota’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership, this panel conversation dives deep into:

• How outdoor recreation became a central part of Winona’s quality of life and economic strategy
• The importance of viewing trails, climbing walls, and access points as critical infrastructure, not just amenities
• Strategic marketing that helped reframe Winona from a summer-only destination to a year-round recreation hub
• How community champions and public-private collaboration made all the difference
• Real-world data and stories, including how international tourists are now choosing Winona as their destination for ice climbing

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Start with an inventory: Know your natural assets and who your local champions are.
• Outdoor recreation = economic development: It attracts new residents, retains talent, and draws in national and international visitors.
• Marketing matters: Targeted, seasonal campaigns with strong visual storytelling are crucial.
• Infrastructure over amenities: Treat trails, ice parks, and river access like roads and utilities—they’re vital.
• Collaboration is the engine: City government, tourism bureaus, non-profits, and local businesses all have a role to play.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Visit Winona
• Winona Ice Park
• Recreation Alliance of Winona
• IMBA Trail Labs (coming to Winona in May!)
• Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership

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If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review, share with a friend, and follow Explore Minnesota More on your favorite podcast platform.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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🎙 The Minnesota Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights🏞️🌿

Episode Overview:

In this episode of Explore Minnesota More, we sit down with Arielle Courtney from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Chrissy Dornon from the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet to explore the Minnesota Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights—a bold initiative ensuring that every child in the state has opportunities to experience and benefit from the outdoors.

The conversation dives into: ✅ The origins and development of the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights
 ✅ The role of the Minnesota Children's Cabinet and DNR in shaping and implementing this initiative
✅ How outdoor access benefits kids' mental health, physical health, and education
✅ Ongoing projects, including a three-year action plan launching in 2025
✅ Ways parents, educators, community leaders, and outdoor advocates can get involved

What is the Minnesota Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights?

Launched at the 2022 Minnesota State Fair, this initiative identifies 15 fundamental outdoor experiences that every Minnesota child should have access to, including: 

🎣 Catching a fish
 🚴 Riding a bike
 🏕️ Camping under the stars
 🌳 Exploring a natural space
 🦅 Watching wildlife
 …and more!

The goal? To move beyond just a proclamation and make these rights actionable through education, policy, and partnerships.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

🔹 Challenges in making the Bill of Rights a living, impactful initiative
🔹 The importance of youth voices in shaping outdoor access policies
🔹 How cross-agency collaboration is key—beyond just the DNR
🔹 The role of schools, childcare facilities, and mental health professionals in outdoor access
🔹 How YOU can support the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights

Get Involved!

📌 Sign the Pledge: If you're a parent, educator, or outdoor advocate, you can sign the pledge and stay updated on initiatives.
🔗 Learn More & Sign Up Here

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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Episode Summary:
In this episode, we dive into an ambitious and inspiring initiative: the 10,000 Ice Anglers Project. Our guests, Ray Ruiz and Karl Erickson, share their journey of bringing thousands of kids onto frozen lakes for their first ice-fishing experience. This initiative, which spans multiple communities and organizations, introduces children to the joys of outdoor recreation while teaching critical lessons about ice safety, conservation, and community collaboration.

From engaging partnerships with schools and nonprofits to tackling logistical challenges like funding, transportation, and unpredictable weather, Carl and Ray give us an inside look at what it takes to make this effort a success. We also discuss the broader impact of getting kids outdoors, including building confidence, strengthening social connections, and creating future stewards of natural resources.

Episode Highlights:
🎣 What is the 10,000 Ice Anglers Project? – The origins and mission of the program.
🌨️ Breaking Down Barriers – How the initiative overcomes funding, transportation, and staffing challenges.
📖 Teaching Through Experience – The importance of ice safety, conservation, and hands-on learning.
🤝 Building Partnerships – Collaboration with local schools, law enforcement, and outdoor organizations.
🏆 Why This Matters – The long-term impact on kids, families, and the outdoor recreation industry.

Get Involved!
Want to support the 10,000 Ice Anglers Project? Here’s how you can help:
🔹 Volunteer – If you have experience in fishing or just want to help guide students, your time is valuable.
🔹 Donate – Funding is crucial to covering transportation, staffing, and equipment. Consider making a contribution.
🔹 Industry Partnerships – Outdoor recreation brands and businesses can play a role in ensuring this initiative continues to thrive.

For more information or to get involved, email:
📧 Contact Ray: [email protected]
📧 Contact Carl: [email protected]

Listen & Subscribe:
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform to stay up to date on inspiring stories from the world of outdoor recreation.

🎧 Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share with your community.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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In this episode of Explore Minnesota More, John Cox and Marty Caivano discuss the International Mountain Biking Association(IMBA) Trail Labs program, which will come to Minnesota in 2025! 

The discussion covers mountain biking infrastructure, community engagement, and sustainable trail development.

Key Points:

• IMBA's history dating back to the late 1980s in California
• Overview of the Trail Labs program, which started in 2018 in Bentonville, Arkansas
• Announcement of new Trail Labs locations in Minnesota (Winona and Duluth)
• Discussion of different program components: 
  • Trail Labs Foundations
  • Trail Care Schools
  • Trail Management Schools
  • Trail Accelerator Workshops

Notable Discussion Topics:

• The shift in community attitudes toward mountain biking infrastructure
• Importance of integrating trails with city centers and main streets
• Three pillars of trail sustainability: environmental, social, and economic
• Challenges of increased trail usage and user management
• Impact of e-bikes on trail design and management
• Growing influence of youth mountain biking through NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association)

Featured Guests:

• John Cox - Education Manager, IMBA
• Marty Caivano - Community Engagement Manager, IMBA

For more information on the program: https://www.imba.com/trail-labs 

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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Making the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail

Episode Description 

Join us for a conversation about the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail (MDHT), an ambitious project to create the first long-distance hiking trail in Minnesota's Driftless Region. We speak with Marty Walsh (Lead Instigator) and Alexa Shapiro (Trail Director) about how this trail will connect communities, enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, and celebrate the unique landscape of southeastern Minnesota. 

Guests 

• Alexa Shapiro - Trail Director, Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail 
• Marty Walsh - Lead Instigator, Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail 

Key Topics 

• The unique geological features of the Driftless Region and why it's ideal for a long-distance trail 
• How the trail project builds partnerships between private landowners and public land managers 
• The potential economic and community impact of the trail on local communities 
• Recent funding from LCCMR and plans for trail development 
• Strategies for integrating the trail with local community recreation planning 

Notable Quotes 

"We should love what we have, and probably the best way to do that is this long distance trail." - Marty 

Co-Producer: Cody Nelson

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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In this episode, we sit down with Lloyd Vogel, founder and CEO of Garage Grown Gear, to explore the evolution of ultralight outdoor gear and the growth of his Minnesota-based company. From its humble beginnings in a basement to an 8,000-square-foot warehouse in Saint Paul, Garage Grown Gear has become a leader in the ultralight outdoor gear space by focusing on small, innovative manufacturers.

Episode Highlights

• Lloyd's journey from "merman" and outdoor educator to retail entrepreneur
• The origin story of Garage Grown Gear and its evolution from The Big Outdoors
• What "ultralight" really means in backpacking (spoiler: base weight under 10 pounds)
• How the outdoor retail landscape is changing in Minnesota and the Midwest
• The future of innovation in outdoor gear and the importance of finding your niche

Key Topics Covered

• The definition and philosophy of ultralight backpacking
• The challenges of growing a small outdoor retail business
• The impact of Midwest Mountaineering's closure on the Minnesota outdoor community
• How online communities are reshaping outdoor retail and education
• The role of small manufacturers in driving outdoor gear innovation

Guest Bio

Lloyd Vogel is the founder and CEO of Garage Grown Gear, a specialty retailer focused on ultralight outdoor gear from small, innovative manufacturers. With a background in outdoor education and a passion for paddling sports, Lloyd has grown Garage Grown Gear from a basement operation to a significant player in the ultralight gear market. His approach to business emphasizes adding value over chasing profits and maintaining a focused niche over broad expansion.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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Happy New Year, Everyone! We have some fun months ahead of us skiing, skating, fishing, riding, boarding, and swimming in Minnesota's ice and snow (once the snow arrives, better late than never!).

We don't have a full show this week, but listen in to learn more about what shows to expect over the coming months.  

Until next time, let's go out and Explore MN More!

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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In this episode of Explore Minnesota More, Randolph and Chris Perkins discuss the latest Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data on Minnesota's outdoor recreation economy. We explore what these numbers mean for Minnesota and why they matter.

Featured Guest

Chris Perkins is Vice President of Programs for the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. 

Episode Highlights

• Minnesota's outdoor recreation economy generated $13.5 billion in GDP (2.8% of state GDP) in 2023, up from $11.7 billion the previous year
• The sector supported 96,000 jobs across the state
• Minnesota's 10.5% growth outpaced the national average of 9%

Key Segments of Minnesota's Outdoor Recreation Economy (2023)

• Boating and Fishing: $1.1 billion
• Hunting, Shooting, and Trapping: $554 million
• RVing: $528 million
• Motorcycling and ATVs: $457 million
• Snow Activities: $238 million
• Climbing, Hiking, and Tent Camping: $210 million

Notable Growth Areas

• Snow Activities: 32% growth
• Hunting, Shooting, and Trapping: 23% growth
• Motorcycling and ATVs: 19% growth
• Canoeing and Kayaking: 16% growth

Industry Challenges and Opportunities

• Climate change impacts on winter recreation
• Infrastructure needs
• Trade policy uncertainties
• Declining rates of core participation in outdoor activities
• The EXPLORE Act and its potential impact on outdoor recreation policy

Additional Resources

• Bureau of Economic Analysis Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account
• Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership
• Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake

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*Audio Disclaimer: Some gremlins have gotten into our host's microphones. The sound quality may be slightly less than perfect. We are working on tracking these gremlins down so we can provide you with the sound experience you deserve. Stay tuned!**

In this episode, Randolph sits down with Jeremiah Burish, Director of Sports Sales at Explore La Crosse, to discuss the USA Cycling Gravel National Championships coming to La Crescent, Minnesota in 2025 and 2026.

Episode Highlights:

• The unique features of the Driftless Region and why it's perfect for gravel cycling
• What makes Minnesota's gravel the "champagne of gravel" according to USA Cycling
• How the championships will integrate with La Crescent's historic Apple Festival
• Expected economic impact and attendance projections
• The extensive planning process involving multiple municipalities and organizations

Key Details:

• Event Dates: 2025 and 2026 (specific dates TBA)
• Location: La Crescent, Minnesota
• Expected Participants: 800-1,000+ riders
• Projected Economic Impact: $1.1 million (conservative estimate)
• Will coincide with La Crescent's Apple Festival

Event Features:

• Challenging course with significant elevation changes
• Mix of unpaved and paved roads
• Integration with Apple Festival activities
• Torchlight parade with lit-up bicycles
• Multiple community events and celebrations

For more information and updates, follow Explore La Crosse and USA Cycling on social media platforms.

Credits: 
Producers: Randolph Briley & Cody Nelson 
Hosts: Sarah Strommen and Lauren Bennett McGinty
Original Music by Andrew Haaheim and Alsever Lake