Mississippi River Learning Center at Bdote receives LCCMR support for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 22, 2026 
 

Mississippi River Learning Center at Bdote receives LCCMR support for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund 

Public invited to explore project site and participate in guided tours, river programming on October 24  

Saint Paul – The City of Saint Paul today announced that the peninsula restoration project at the future Mississippi River Learning Center at Bdote site received a significant boost of support when it was selected by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for inclusion in their annual recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature on how to allocate proceeds from the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.  

Located at the Watergate Marina in Crosby Farm Regional Park, the Mississippi River Learning Center at Bdote aims to create a hub for learning, recreation, and stewardship. If funded, the peninsula restoration project would address the severe degradation of approximately five of the overall 25-acre site and restore access to the river for recreational programming and learning, a vital part of the vision to bring this new space to life. Considered an important first step of the overall project, this funding would be used to construct trails and outdoor classroom spaces to create opportunities for park visitors to learn about the dynamic floodplain, migratory species, site ecology, and the cultural significance of the Mississippi River. If approved by the 2027 Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, the project would begin as early as July 2027. 

“The Mississippi River is part of the soul of Saint Paul. It has sustained communities for thousands of years and holds deep cultural significance for Dakota people,” said Mayor Kaohly Her. “Residents and visitors should have the opportunity to experience the river, learn from its history, and feel a sense of connection to it. The restoration of the land will do just that. I’m grateful to the partners working together to make our riverfront a bigger part of everyday life in Saint Paul.”

“Healing the land at this site is critical for natural habitat," said Michael-jon Pease, President and Chief Parks Champion of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy. "The LCCMR grant helps restore a site that is already home to educational programs by the National Park Service, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, Mississippi Park Connection and others, as well as an important location for indigenous ceremony. We are honored to be the private partner in making the Mississippi River Learning Center vision come to life in the years ahead.” 

The Mississippi River Learning Center at Bdote is a visionary, mixed-use river-focused space combining the National Park Service programming with year-round environmental, cultural, and historical learning, as well as outdoor recreation experiences along Saint Paul’s stretch of the Mississippi River. The project builds on Saint Paul’s long-standing effort to integrate the river into community life, reinforcing its role as the River Capital of the world.  
“The Mississippi River Learning Center will give residents and visitors unparalleled access to one of the world's greatest natural wonders,” said Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL - Saint Paul). “It represents an extraordinary opportunity not just for Saint Paul but for our entire region and state, I’m thrilled that it's moving forward in the LCCMR funding process." 

The proposal was one of 116 included in the LCCMR’s recommendation following its 2027 Request for Proposals (RFP), which sought proposals to address several priority issue areas, including resilience, water, fish and wildlife, education and outdoor recreation, energy, and land. The LCCMR will meet this fall to finalize the recommendations.  

In response to the RFP, LCCMR received 434 proposals requesting a total of approximately $375 million. A subset of proposals was invited to receive further consideration by the Commission. In the end, LCCMR recommended the Legislature fund 116 proposals with approximately $130 million from the Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund. Additional information on the LCCMR and its 2027 recommendations process can be found online at www.lccmr.mn.gov. 
Momentum Continues for Future Center 

In addition to the LCCMR support for funding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently committed $300,000 for the first phase of planning work on an ecosystem restoration project at Crosby Farm Regional Park to restore and enhance the ecological health of the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway systems and restore natural flows to the river adjacent site. The project will implement measures to reduce sedimentation of the existing river bay and improve the quality of wildlife, aquatic species, and migratory bird habitat. The specific details of the implementation will be developed during this stage of planning and will be constructed as funding is available.  

The City of Saint Paul and Saint Paul Parks Conservancy will host an event on Saturday, October 24 from 1:00-3:30 pm at the Watergate Marina with an opportunity to access the site that will be improved. The event is a free, all ages experience to see the future Mississippi River Learning Center at Bdote site and will feature guided routes, hands-on activity stations, art, and river ecology programming. Registration is encouraged at: stpaulparks.org/playday 

About the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund 

(ENRTF) is a permanent dedicated fund in the Minnesota state treasury that was established by 77% voter approval of a constitutional amendment in 1988. The amendment directs forty percent of the net proceeds of the Minnesota State Lottery into the ENRTF through the year 2050. Since 1991, approximately $1.3 billion from the ENRTF has been provided through the LCCMR to over 1,800 projects that protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources in every county of the state. 
 

About Saint Paul Parks and Recreation  

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited and gold medal award-winning organization that manages 186 parks and open spaces, AZA-accredited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 26 city-operated recreation centers, more than 120 miles of trails, an indoor and two outdoor aquatic facilities, a public beach, a variety of premium sports facilities, municipal golf courses, and Great River Passage – which is the identity for all proposed public development along Saint Paul’s more than 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront. For more information about Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks.    

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