From the desk of Representative Natalie Zeleznikar

Dear Northlanders,

Tulips are coming up in the Twin Cities, and soon they will appear back home. With warmer weather, many of us will take the opportu­nity to walk outside and enjoy the fresh air. Nature never disappoints with the simple pleasures of watch­ing a sunrise, listening to the birds, enjoying a rainstorm, hearing the wind rustle the leaves in the trees, and watching a sunset.

It turns out that our time outside in nature can help nurture our men­tal health. Following the pandemic, Minnesota faced a 40% increase in mental health needs statewide. This session, several important bills were introduced to address mental health.

Here are some examples of the bills I co-authored during the 2025 session:

HF 1903 – Safe Place for New­borns:

This bill provides safe locations for mothers in crisis who feel they cannot care for their newborns. It allows fire stations that are staffed 24 hours a day and equipped with special alarm systems to serve as safe drop-off sites, in addition to hospitals.

HF 2810 – Equine Therapy for First Responders:

Provides funding for first re­sponders who experience PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) due to trauma in their emergency medical roles. This program of­fers mental health therapy through horseback riding with professional equine therapists at 7-Star Ranch in Lakewood Township, outside of Duluth. As someone who grew up on a farm and rode horses daily, I was excited to author a bill that supports those who help others every day. I visited the ranch and heard powerful stories of healing from veterans with PTSD. This program would now extend that same healing opportunity to our re­gion’s first responders.

HF 2548 – Outdoor School for All:

Provides grant funding for students to participate in field trips at out­door learning centers.

HF 1004 – Helmets to Hardhats:

Offers veterans opportunities to re­ceive training in the trades. Many veterans return home from service struggling to find a civilian path­way. This successful program helps them transition into high-paying jobs, building confidence while re­ducing stress and anxiety.

HF 1555 – Gitchi-Gami State Trail:

Funds maintenance and improve­ments to this trail, which offers hours of outdoor time for those who love to bike or walk while enjoying the beauty of the North Shore.

HF 281 & HF 279 – ATV Trail Funding:

Supports the development and maintenance of ATV and side-by-side trails statewide, ensuring ac­cess for outdoor recreation.

HF 114 – County Fairs:

Provides funding for county fairs, which are cherished events in com­munities like Proctor and Two Har­bors.

HF 489 – Parks and Trails:

Ensures continued funding for Minnesota’s parks and trails.

HF 723 – Regional Parks in Greater Minnesota:

Allocates funds to support regional parks across Greater Minnesota.

HF 1066 – Soil and Water Con­servation Districts:

Increases funding for our region­al Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This supports efforts to keep our lakes, rivers, and streams clean—critical for swimming, fish­ing, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. It also helps preserve beautiful spaces for hiking, bird watching, and peaceful reflection.

I hope you join me in taking time to be outside as often as possible— for your own mental health. Our overall health requires us to care for our brains as the vital organs they are, giving ourselves time to decompress and destress. Nature offers us all the opportunity to un­plug and recharge with the simple gifts it has always provided: peace through animals, sounds, smells, fresh air, and water.

We are blessed to live in an area where nature never disappoints, so make a point to get outside and en­joy it.

Best,
Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar
State Representative