PLAYING OUR PART

The Minnesota Lottery helps make Minnesota an even better place to live! Money from lottery sales helps our environment and supports important state programs that benefit all Minnesotans. Of every dollar played, 92 cents is returned to Minnesotans in the form of prize money, retailer commissions and contributions to the state.

From restoring prairies to protecting clean water, these dollars are working every day to keep Minnesota beautiful, for us and for generations to come.

Here’s a look at just a few of the incredible projects that lottery dollars support in this region:

🌲 Wilderness education with Friends of the Boundary Waters—helping Minnesotans connect with and care for our wild spaces.

🐺 Voyageurs Wolf Project research—deepening our understanding of wolves and their vital role in the ecosystem.

🫎 Protecting Minnesota’s moose populations—working to ensure these iconic giants continue to roam the North.

Those dollars protect what makes Minnesota special, our lakes, forests, and wildlife, so we can all keep enjoying our great Minnesota outdoors.

In Southwestern Minnesota, those dollars are hard at work:

🌾 Protecting prairies so our native landscapes can thrive.

🌱 Expanding cover crop use to support sustainable farming.

🚜 Advancing agricultural research to safeguard Minnesota’s farms.

…and much more!

It’s an investment in clean water and thriving habitats, including the scenic landscapes and vibrant communities of Southeast Minnesota.

Here are just a few of the projects your play is helping bring to life in this region:

📚 Expanding environmental education access for East African and Latinx communities in Southern Minnesota.

💧 Improving Lake Zumbro Park with new water access and ADA-friendly amenities for families of all abilities.

🏞️ Creating new outdoor learning opportunities for students in the greater Austin area.

These dollars are hard at work preserving, protecting, and restoring our natural resources so future generations can enjoy them too. 

Here are just a few of the remarkable projects happening in Northwest Minnesota thanks to your play:

🌲 Protecting Tamarack trees by developing new insect management techniques against larch beetles.

🔬 Expanding hands-on environmental education for underserved students by bringing science learning outdoors.

🦌 Safeguarding deer populations in areas with high wolf density.

PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are one of Minnesota’s big environmental challenges. Our state agencies spend a lot of time tracking them in water, soil, and even fish. But when it comes to the air we breathe, there are still a lot of unknowns.

Minnesota is on a mission—a mighty mission—to protect and preserve its natural treasures.

During the June 9, 2025 Special Session, the Legislature approved 124 projects for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF).