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Kirk Schnitker: Catching up with Minnesota’s Bob Lessard, a master of conservation politics

Lessard stayed active in outdoor issues after leaving the Senate. In February 2022, he and Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) testified on SF 2766, a bill modifying lottery in lieu tax distribution at the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. (Minn. Legislative Reference Library)

Where does one start and stop on Bob Lessard’s decades in Minnesota conservation politics? As a state senator for 25 years, from 1977 to 2002, Lessard always was immersed as a leader in conservation causes, legislation, and constitutional amendments.
I will start by saying this man who has a clearly maverick sort about him was incredibly successful at making good things happen if it involved fish wildlife, water and general hunting and fishing interests.

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