DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Review Draft Objectives And Strategies For Parks Natural Systems Plan
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive and review draft objectives and strategies for the Parks Natural Systems Plan
SUMMARY
Dakota County adopted a Natural Resources Management System Plan <https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/About/ResourcePlans/Documents/NaturalResourcesManagementReport.pdf> for its Parks in 2017, which addressed the Park System (parks, greenways, and park conservation areas) and private natural area easements. In 2020, Dakota County updated its Farmland and Natural Areas Protection Plan as a more targeted County Land Conservation Plan
<https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/LandConservation/Plan/Documents/LandConservationPlan.pdf>
With the completion of the 2050 Parks Vision Plan, staff is combining the NRMSP and the LCP into a unified operational plan called the Natural Systems Plan (NSP).
The NSP will serve as a bridge between the high-level goals of the 2050 Vision Plan (Attachment: 2050 Vision Plan Goals and Strategies Related to Land Protection and Natural Systems Stewardship) and the site-specific recommendations included in individual park and greenway Natural Resource Management Plans (NRMPs). It is intended to be clear enough to guide work for the next five to 10 years but have the flexibility to respond to changes and new opportunities.
Staff has been merging the “action portions,” i.e., goals, objectives, and strategies, of the NRMSP and the LCP into the new NSP (Attachment: NSP Draft Objectives and Strategies). Because the Land Conservation Plan is relatively new, fewer changes are being recommended. The NRMSP is older and includes only goals, requiring updating and the build-out of strategies. The Vision Plan goals provide overarching guidance for the new plan. Additionally, the 2050 Vision Plan identified new goals related to natural resources that were not reflected in the NRMSP or LCP. The attached draft objectives, strategies, and tactics reflect updated content and incorporation of new elements from the 2050 Vision Plan for two new chapters of the NSP: “Land Protection” and “Natural Systems Stewardship.”
Next steps will include the build-out of the implementation section of the NSP to address targets, priorities, and timeframes, metrics, budget and Capital Improvement Program, funding sources, partnerships, and outreach. Targeted stakeholder engagement will be held on any areas of substantive change. A draft plan document is anticipated for early in the second quarter of 2026.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only: no action requested.
end
EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
No direct fiscal impact for the NSP plan development. The fiscal impact for projects implemented per the plan’s direction will be brought to the board on an annual basis through the Parks CIP.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
Information only: no action requested.
end
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 2050 Vision Plan Goals and Strategies Related to Land Protection and Natural Systems Stewardship
Attachment: NSP Draft Objectives and Strategies
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Mary Jackson