Who Are We?
What What do snowmobilers, hikers, 4 wheel drive enthusiasts, horse enthusiasts, cross-country skiers, all-terrain vehicle riders, off-road motorcyclists, and bicyclists have in common? In a word, TRAILS.
The Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association (MRTUA), was formed by representatives of the eight user groups mentioned above. MRTUA lists among its purposes the identification and assessment of common grounds and common needs among the different groups using trails in Minnesota, and the formation of a broad political base to support trail opportunities in the future.
MRTUA has its roots in a series of citizen meatings organized by MnDNR in May and June of 1990. These meetings were to aid in development of trails policy within the department. Each group met with MnDNR representatives and facilitators to derive the ideal future for the particular sport the group represented. Approximately 110 people met during those two months, dreaming up the best of all possible worlds for the future of their sport.
In September, 1990, three representatives from each of the previous meetings came together to see what kinds of ideas, facilities, resources, etc., the groups had in common. From this session would come the citizen input for the MnDNR trails policy. The people who came together from the disparate sports mentioned above found that they had much more in common than they would have guessed. So much so, that they decided to form a coalition that would cross the lines between sports and seek out the commonalities they shared.
MRTUA was officially formed on November 18, 1990. Since then officers have been elected, by-laws have been written and adopted, and presentation have been made to trail-user interest groups and conferences. Also, a membership drive has begun, and donations and grants have been received from MnUSA, Polaris Industries, MN Horse Council, and ATVAM.
An important MRTUA function is to advise the DNR on the distribution of National Recreational Trail Fund (NRTF) grant money. MRTUA is the initial and secondary evaluating agency for NRTF grant applications, and makes its recommendations to the DNR, which has the final responsibility for awarding grants. For more information on NRTF, click here.
For the future, MRTUA’s goals include promoting cooperation among user groups, keeping trail issues on the legislative agenda, and informing the public about MRTUA’s existence and purpose.
Email to Don Youngdahl: dmy@visi.com