If you've wondered how Minnesota is spending all the money produced by the 2008 Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, a new logo will tell you.
The Department of Natural Resources on Monday unveiled its new Legacy logo, a design by Bernadette Stephenson of St. Cloud submitted as one of 76 entries in a statewide contest.
"The decision was tough because we had so many great entries to consider," said DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten. "We feel this logo is memorable, distinctive and sophisticated. It also clearly illustrates the four funds."
The voter-approved Legacy Amendment authorized a 0.375 percent increase in the state sales tax. It will provide an estimated $246 million this year, and hundreds of millions of dollars each year thereafter.
Because the amendment established four separate funds -- clean water, outdoor heritage, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage -- the logo had to incorporate multiple images. The contest was mandated by the 2010 Legislature.
The logo will be displayed throughout the state at access points to any land or water resources acquired or protected with Legacy funds, as well as construction projects or printed and other materials that were financed by the various funding streams.
Entries were reviewed by a panel of judges that included staff from the DNR, Parks and Trails Council, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board. Their recommendations were presented to Holsten, who made the final selection.
JOSEPHINE MARCOTTY
