Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with Sherburne County, is pleased to announce the expansion of the Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka – Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park.

In 2022, TPL and the County protected 436 acres of land near St. Cloud in Sherburne County on Big Elk Lake which became the new regional park. The current acquisition protects a six-acre inholding totally surrounded by the existing park ensuring the continued integrity of the park.

The land includes sites of cultural significance to the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples, and TPL and Sherburne County are collaborating with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers from the Upper Sioux Community, the Lower Sioux Indian Community, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to interpret and program for both historical and contemporary Indigenous connections to the site.

The landscape also spans a mixture of shoreline, grassland, forest, oak savanna and habitats of high biodiversity, making it a valuable addition for recreation and nature-connection for nearby communities.

“This land protection matters on many levels,” said Sophie Harris Vorhoff, Minnesota State Director for Trust for Public Land. “We’re creating a park where everyone can enjoy the outdoors while honoring the deep histories and enduring relationships of the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples with this land.”

“The acquisition of this parcel protects additional cultural and natural resources and re-affirms our commitment to collaborating with partnering Tribal Nations to develop a space that honors and respects history while educating those who enjoy its beauty,” said Gary Gray, Sherburne County Commission Chair.

Beyond recreation and culture, the Two Inlets project addresses vital environmental goals. Protecting this corridor helps conserve shoreline and wetlands, supports native habitat restoration, and contributes to greater ecosystem resilience in the face of development pressures.

Funding for the acquisition and protection of the property was provided in part by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission and the Minnesota DNR’s Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program.

About Trust for Public Land 

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.