North Straight River Parkway

Just an hour south of the Twin Cities, the Cannon River watershed has seen dramatic transformation over the past century. Once a rich mosaic of prairie, savanna, wetlands, and forest, much of the land has been converted to agriculture—leading to habitat loss, water quality challenges, and fragmented landscapes.

Trust for Public Land is working in close partnership with local communities and public agencies to reverse this trend. Through our Minnesota’s Rivers program in the Cannon River watershed, we’re protecting and restoring critical lands to ensure connected natural space that benefits both people and wildlife.

A 2025 success: the protection of over 40 acres along the Straight River in the City of Owatonna. This scenic space includes forest and grassland habitat as well as a stretch of the Straight River, a designated Minnesota state water trail. By adding this land to the North Straight River Parkway, we’re creating new opportunities for the community to connect with nature—just minutes from home.

Located within city limits and accessible to more than 23,000 residents, the protected land will offer year-round recreation including hiking, wildlife observation, fishing, cross-country skiing, and outdoor education. It also plays a key ecological role: buffering and linking nearby conserved areas, protecting high-quality habitat, and reducing fragmentation in a region where more than 95% of the land is privately owned.

Together, we’re creating a future where every Minnesotan has access to the outdoors—and where the landscapes we love are protected for generations to come.

The project was funded in large part by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, supported by lottery proceeds. Trust for Public Land proudly helped lead the successful 2024 ballot initiative to reauthorize the fund, ensuring continued investment in the lands and waters that sustain us all.