Goal One: You Belong Here

We are welcoming and convenient to all people.

Our communities are changing, and we need to change with them. Three of the most notable changes are race, ethnicity and age.

According to the Metropolitan Council’s 2019 Regional Forecast, the Twin Cities region expects to see residents identifying as people of color, Hispanic or both increase from 25% in 2010 to 40% of the population by 2040. During the same timeframe, residents who are 65 years or older will double to account for roughly 20% of the region’s population.

By better connecting these and other growing community groups to nature, everyone will be more likely to support and value the work we do, and we will remain relevant to future generations.

Read all of Goal One.

Two women paddle a canoe on a lake.

How We Will Do It

  • Ensure our offerings serve people where they are geographically, as well as in respect to their experience and comfort level in nature by implementing the Visitor Experience Model.
  • Focus efforts on attracting and retaining new visitors and participants, particularly those from underrepresented community groups.
  • Provide a wide range of nature-based settings and offerings.
  • Diversify and train our staff to better represent a more inclusive and supportive culture.

See Our Other Goals

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