"ID","Title","Fiscal Year(s)","Fiscal Year Funding Amount","Legal Citation / Subdivision","Appropriation Language","Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)","Measurable Outcome(s)","Proposed Outcomes Achieved","Other Funds Leveraged","Source of Additional Funds","Direct Expenses","Administration Costs","Recipient Board Members","Number of full time equivalents funded","Recipient","Recipient Type","Body","About the Issue","Project Details","Start Date","End Date","Source","Status","Updates","Details/Reports","First Name","Last Name","Organization Name","Street Address","City","State","Zip Code","Phone","Email","Activity Type","Administered by","Media","Counties Affected","LSOHC Section","Watershed","URL","Advisory Group Members and Qualifications","Board Members and Qualifications","Conflict of Interest Contact","Conflict of Interest Disclosed"
10031471,"2024 Contract Agreement Reimbursement",2025,275000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 10c","$275,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources, at the direction of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, for expenses incurred in preparing and administering contracts, including for the agreements specified in this section.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,8.86,"MN DNR","State Government","Provide contract management to ENRTF pass-through appropriation recipients for approximately 115 open grants. Ensure funds are expended in compliance with appropriation law, state statute, grants policies, and approved work plans.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Katherine,Sherman-Hoehn,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5533",katherine.sherman-hoehn@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/2024-contract-agreement-reimbursement,,,,
10011418,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase XI",2020,5631000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 4(a)","$5,631,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan..Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan..Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan..",,,1650400,"Private, PF, Federal, Private",5619000,12000,,0.15,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the strategic permanent protection of 1,003 acres (241 wetlands and 762 grasslands) of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will strategically acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions. ","The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented. In the agricultural region of Minnesota over 90% of our wetlands and 99% our prairie grasslands have been converted for other uses. This proposal aims to slow or reverse this downward trend by strategically acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitats to be permanently protected as WPAs. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50-years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This eleventh phase of the WPA acceleration program builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous ten phases of this effort by strategically acquiring 1,003 acres (241 acres of wetlands and 762 acres of grassland habitat) for the benefit of upland species and recreational opportunities of the public. Strategic properties will be identified by using landscape level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the USFWS’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)]. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife the acres impacted by this grant application can produce. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing public access and have used WPA’s extensively in the past. To address concerns related to the erosion of county tax revenues due to public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties.Additional funding for restoration and development of the properties will be solicited from partners. If this funding is available, budgeted Outdoor Heritage restoration funds under this proposal would be able to accomplish additional fee title w/o PILT acquisition funds. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch “plugs"", breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for the establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-cleanup, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Pope, Renville, Rice, Stevens, Swift, Wilkin, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-xi,,,,
10019609,"Accelerating the USFWS Habitat Conservation Easement Program - Phase III",2022,4752000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(i)","$4,752,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, in cooperation with Pheasants Forever and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire permanent conservation working lands easements and to restore wetlands and prairie grasslands. Of this amount, $3,153,000 is to Ducks Unlimited and $1,599,000 is to Pheasants Forever. A list of proposed acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - USFWS habitat easements will add restored and protected grassland and small wetland acres to augment existing public lands and other permanent easements to create prairie-wetland complexes with a more diverse mix of habitats and conservation options for private landowners. The measure of success will be the number of functioning prairie wetland complexes that provide adequate wetland and grassland acres within a landscape. This is a long-term, programmatic landscape conservation effort that will take time to achieve. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected - This outcome will be measured by the sheer number of expiring CRP acres that will be protected through USFWS easements, and the protected grassland and wetland habitat that will not be subject to future conversion to intensive row crop agriculture. By offering private landowners a working lands conservation easement option, landowners in need of an annual income stream from their land will be incentivized to keep grasslands intact and restore wetlands",,,510400,"U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service",4722000,30000,,0.95,"DU with PF and USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 3 partnership will accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements to protect and restore 1,400 acres of private grasslands and pothole wetlands in west-central Minnesota, and restore an additional 140 prairie-wetland acres. These ""working land"" conservation easements allow delayed haying and grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife. By restoring and protecting grassland and wetland habitat while allowing for continued landowner use of these working private lands, USFWS habitat easements fill an important prairie landscape conservation niche that complements other more restrictive easements and fee-title public lands, and buffers existing habitats.","Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Pheasants Forever (PF) will purchase, record, and transfer wildlife habitat conservation easements to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for long-term perpetual monitoring and enforcement in west-central Minnesota using federally-approved USFWS habitat conservation easement language and federal payment rates. DU and PF will restore drained wetlands and cropland back to prairie grassland. DU will purchase and hold easements through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU's supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. By purchasing easements and restoring grasslands and wetlands for USFWS with OHF support, DU and PF will effectively accelerate the rate at which USFWS can protect grassland and wetlands in key focus landscapes in which there are also many state and federal wildlife lands owned and managed in fee-title, and other lands protected by more restrictive conservation easements. These are some of the most productive landscapes in the state for breeding waterfowl and other prairie wildlife including pheasants, and these private working land conservation easements complement other federal, state, and private conservation easement options available to landowners. USFWS habitat conservation easements not only include protection measures that prevent wetland/prairie conversion and land development/subdivision, but importantly, they also secure rights to restore wetlands and prairie grassland where feasible too - which is the primary purpose of this OHF easement program. DU/PF will help USFWS conduct landowner outreach, prioritize offers of federally-approved easement payments, and conduct landowner negotiations, boundary survey, environmental review, title review, and other legal tasks, and purchase the easement for USFWS. DU/PF will protect prairie and wetlands via easements we purchase (and restore where needed), record, and transfer to USFWS. DU/PF will also use OHF grant funds to restore additional prairie and wetland acres on land eased directly by USFWS as leverage. DU/PF will restore eased lands in partnership with the USFWS with technical guidance from their private lands biologists. DU engineers will survey/design larger complex wetland restorations, and manage restoration contracts to private earth-moving firms. USFWS ""Habitat Easements"" have been used here for over two decades, and are designed to provide a habitat protection conservation tool to complement public lands habitat complexes such as federal Waterfowl Production Areas and state Wildlife Management Areas, by keeping privately owned restored grassland and wetland habitat intact and on county tax rolls while allowing for working use of the land. These easements provide landowners with the option of either delayed haying (after July 15) or both grazing and delayed haying, which results in adequate habitat for wetland and upland nesting birds and a working land use option that appeals to some private landowners. Importantly, these working land easements also help manage plant succession on their land, which is critical to preventing the encroachment of volunteer trees and invasive plant species. Well-managed grazing, delayed haying, and USFWS prescribed fire also benefits those grassland bird species that prefer more open prairie habitats, such as northern pintail, marbled godwit, snipe, and many other prairie species.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-usfws-habitat-conservation-easement-program-phase-iii,,,,
10019610,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase XIII",2022,3869000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(a)","$3,869,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan",,,2268700,", PF, Federal and Private",3854000,15000,,0.59,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase XIII proposal permanently protects and restores 659 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions. Acquired properties will be restored to the highest extent possible with regard to time and budgets.","Wetland and grassland habitat in Minnesota have been declining for decades. Currently over 90% of wetland and 99% of grassland habitats have been converted to other uses. This proposal works to slow this decline by acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitat as permanently protected WPA's. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50 years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). Additionally, hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing public access. This thirteenth phase of the WPA acceleration program provides public access and builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous twelve phases of this effort. Properties will be identified by using landscape level planning tools such as USFWS' Duck Breeding Density Maps, as well as MN DNR natural heritage data and numerous state level conservation plans. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. To address concerns related to county tax revenues due to acquiring public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch ?plugs,"" breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for the establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-cleanup, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pope, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-xiii,,,,
10019611,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase XIII",2022,4715000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, 2(b)","$4,715,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"". Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"". Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN""",,,987000,"PF, Federal and Private",4698700,16300,,0.16,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the protection and restoration of 792 acres of strategic prairie grasslands, associated wetlands and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be permanently protecting strategic parcels within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions. These acquired properties will be restored to the highest quality wildlife habitat feasible and transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included into the WMA system.","This proposal represents the thirteenth phase in Pheasants Forever's Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area program. The partners involved in this effort are deploying their resources to build upon past investments in long-term upland and wetland conservation. The proposal will protect and restore 792 acres of lands that will be managed for wildlife. These accomplishments further the goals outlined in the MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan 2008, the MN Duck Action Plan 2020-2023, the MN Pheasant Action Plan 2020-2023 and the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan 2010, among others. Lands acquired, from willing sellers, will be prioritized using criteria used by MN DNR (Minnesota Wildlife Management Areas ? The Next 50 Years) which include location on the landscape, breeding waterfowl density, restoration potential, native community protection (e.g. Minnesota Biological Survey site), proximity to other investments in perpetually protected habitats. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff. All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal. In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria are used to develop the potential project list including: 1) Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? 2) Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape-scale significance)? 3) Does the parcel contain significant natural communities, or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? 4) Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? 5) Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, wellhead protection, riparian protection, local community support, etc.)? Providing quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored to the highest quality wildlife habitat feasible. Completing high-quality, comprehensive restorations, utilizing native species and best management practices, results in fewer management concerns and lower long-term costs. Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands habitat, drained wetlands will be restored, and invasive trees will be removed when appropriate.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","14241 Steves Rd SE ",Osakis,MN,56360,"(320) 250-6317",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Redwood, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Swift, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-xiii,,,,
10027637,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement - Phase IX",2018,1755000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(e)","$1,755,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat statewide. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"A statewide review of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) found that wetlands are one of the three habitat types (along with prairies and rivers) most used by these species. The 5,000 acres of wetland enhancement will provide wetland management actions identified to support SGCN, including reversal of wetland degradation and control of invasives. In the Minnesota County Biological Survey description of the marsh community, special attention is given to two issues faced in Minnesota marshes - stable high water levels that reduce species diversity, often to a point at which a monotypic system evolves, and the ""invasion of marshes by the non-native species narrow-leaved cattail"" and its hybrids. Both of these issues were directly addressed by the major cattail control activities involving the Roving Habitat Crew, along with water level management undertaken through channel cleanouts or that will now be possible through because of newly installed wetland infrastructure projects.","A total of 5,024 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 5,024 in Enhance.",60000,PPJV,1653600,44300,,2,DNR,"State Government","Funding provided through this appropriation enhanced 5,024 acres of wetland habitat. Eight wetland and shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,643 acres of wetland. Cattail spraying using a helicopter outfitted with an OHF-purchased spray unit and impacted impacted 1,762 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,619 acres of wetland. Finally, survey and design work was initiated on four projects to prepare for future construction.","ML2016 Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement Phase 8 entailed multiple components. * Engineering and Construction and Shallow Lake/Wetland Infrastructure Projects - Eight individual projects were undertaken with funding from this appropriation. One project, Moose/Willow in Aitkin County, entailed extensive cleanout of an outlet channels, plus a new water control structure leading to better water level management. Downstream channel work is necessary outlets become clogged with sediment and vegetation and water levels in shallow lakes become abnormally high. Specialized equipment known as a Cookie Cutter removed accumulated sediments and other obstructions to surveyed levels. The shallow lake returned to a lower levels with resulting habitat benefits. Seven projects - Plum Creek (Murray County), Gopher Ridge (Kandiyohi County), Sedan Pond (Pope County), Bradshaw Lake (Scott County), Rum River and Jones Pool (both at Mille Lacs WMA, Mille Lacs County), and Amiret WMA (Lyon County) - were completed and involved engineering and construction of wetland/shallow lake infrastructure such as dikes and water control structures. In all of these projects, engineering was done in-house (i.e. DNR engineers) and private contractors were used for the construction. Finally, four infrastructure projects were engineered only, with construction planned for the future. Doing this initial engineering allows us to determine project feasibility, identify construction obstacles, and obtain accurate cost estimates for materials and construction. These engineering-only projects were accomplished with in-house (i.e., DNR) engineers. *Cattail Spraying - A DNR helicopter has been equipped with an OHF-funded spray unit and avionics to allow it to spray invasive cattails - one of the most significant problems that impact wetlands statewide. Utilizing this helicopter, in conjunction with Roving Habitat Crew members working as ground support, significant acres of invasive cattail can be sprayed annually. Funding from this appropriation was used to purchase herbicide and pay helicopter expenses. 1,762 acres were enhanced. This operation is highly coordinated with project solicitation in late winter. Activities that have to occur before actual spraying occurs include landing site selection and mowing, ground crew (i.e. roving habitat crew members) training, herbicide purchase, coordination with DNR Law Enforcement (who have oversight of the helicopter and for whom the pilot works), permit applications, and public notice publication. * Roving Habitat Crews - Roving Habitat Crews are teams of DNR staff who are equipped and trained to perform habitat enhancement projects on public lands. Funding from this appropriation was provided to the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew to enable it to perform wetland enhancement activities through the addition of two roving crew members and their associated costs for three fiscal years (FY18-FY20). Typical wetland enhancement activities undertaken by Roving Habitat Crews include prescribed burns of wetlands, removal of invasive species and trees from wetlands, and support of shallow lake drawdowns.",,2017-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Blue Earth, Cass, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pennington, Pine, Pope, Renville, Roseau, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-ix,,,,
10017798,"Accelerating the USFWS Habitat Conservation Easement Program - Phase II",2021,3187000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(k)","$3,187,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, in cooperation with Pheasants Forever and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire permanent conservation working lands easements and to restore wetlands and prairie grasslands. Of this amount, $2,248,000 is to Ducks Unlimited and $939,000 is to Pheasants Forever. A list of proposed acquisitions and restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - USFWS habitat easements will add restored and protected grassland and small wetland acres to augment existing public lands and other permanent easements to create prairie-wetland complexes with a more diverse mix of habitats and conservation options for private landowners. The measure of success will be the number of functioning prairie wetland complexes that provide adequate wetland and grassland acres within a landscape. This is a long-term, programmatic landscape conservation effort that will take time to achieve. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected - This outcome will be measured by the number of expiring CRP acres that will be protected through USFWS easements, and the restored and protected grassland and wetland habitat that will not be subject to future conversion to intensive row crop agriculture. By offering private landowners a working lands conservation easement option, landowners in need of an annual income stream from their land will be incentivized to keep grasslands intact and restore wetlands",,,264000,"DU Private & Federal USFWS and Federal USFWS",3172000,15000,,0.53,"Ducks Unlimited w/ PF and USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 2 partnership will accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements to restore and protect 775 acres of private grasslands and pothole wetlands in west-central Minnesota, and restore 50 additional prairie-wetland acres too. These ""working land"" conservation easements allow delayed haying and grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife. By restoring and protecting grassland and wetland habitat while allowing for continued landowner use of these working private lands, USFWS habitat easements fill an important prairie landscape conservation niche that complements other more restrictive easements and fee-title public lands, and buffers existing habitats.","Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Pheasants Forever (PF) will purchase wildlife habitat conservation easements on private land in west-central Minnesota using federally-approved conservation easement language and federal payment rates, restore drained wetlands and cropland back to prairie grassland, and transfer the easements to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for long-term perpetual monitoring and enforcement. DU will purchase and hold easements through it's Wetlands America Trust (WAT), DU's supporting land-holding fiduciary organization, of which DU is the sole corporate member. By purchasing easements and restoring grasslands and wetlands for USFWS with OHF support, DU and PF will effectively accelerate the rate at which USFWS can protect grassland and wetlands in key focus landscapes in which there are also many state and federal wildlife lands owned and managed in fee-title, and other lands protected by more restrictive conservation easements too. These are some of the most productive landscapes in the state for breeding waterfowl and other prairie wildlife including pheasants, and these private working land conservation easements complement other federal, state, and private conservation easement options available to landowners. USFWS habitat conservation easements not only include protection measures that prevent wetland/prairie conversion and land development/subdivision, but importantly, they also secure rights to restore wetlands and prairie grassland where feasible too - which is the primary purpose of this OHF easement program. DU/PF will help USFWS conduct landowner outreach, prioritize offers of federally-approved easement payments, and conduct landowner negotiations, boundary survey, environmental review, title review, and other legal tasks, and purchase the easement for USFWS. DU/PF will protect via easement (and restore where needed) 775 acres of prairie and wetlands for USFWS. DU/PF will also use OHF grant funds to restore 50 additional prairie and wetland acres on land eased directly by USFWS as leverage too. DU/PF will restore eased lands in partnership with the USFWS with technical guidance from their private lands biologists. DU engineers will survey/design larger complex wetland restorations, and manage restoration contracts to private construction firms. USFWS ""Habitat Easements"" have been used here for over two decades, and are designed to provide a habitat protection conservation tool to complement public lands habitat complexes such as federal Waterfowl Production Areas and state Wildlife Management Areas, by keeping privately owned restored grassland and wetland habitat intact and on county tax rolls while allowing for working use of the land. These easements provide landowners with the option of either delayed haying (after July 15) or both grazing and delayed haying, which results in adequate habitat for wetland and upland nesting birds and a working land use option that appeals to some private landowners. Importantly, these working land easements also help manage plant succession on their land, which is critical to preventing the encroachment of volunteer trees and invasive plant species. Well-managed grazing, delayed haying, and USFWS prescribed fire also benefits those grassland bird species that prefer more open prairie habitats, such as pintail ducks, marbled godwits, snipe, and many other prairie species.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-usfws-habitat-conservation-easement-program-phase-ii,,,,
10017799,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase XII",2021,3658000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(a)","$3,658,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan",,,857000,"PF, Federal and Private",3647000,11000,,0.11,"Pheasants Forever w/USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the strategic permanent protection of 611 acres (122 acres of wetlands and 489 acres of grassland habitat) of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will strategically acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions.","The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented. In the agricultural region of Minnesota, over 90% of our wetlands and 99% of our prairie grasslands have been converted for other uses. This proposal aims to slow or reverse this downward trend by strategically acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitats to be permanently protected as WPAs. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and its partners have been employing this strategy for over 50 years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This twelfth phase of the WPA acceleration program builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous eleven phases of this effort by strategically acquiring 611 acres (122 acres of wetlands and 489 acres of grassland habitat) for the benefit of upland species and recreational opportunities of the public. Strategic properties will be identified by using landscape-level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the USFWS's Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)]. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife impacted by this grant application. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing public access for hunting and fishing. To address concerns related to county tax revenues due to acquiring public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch ?plugs,"" breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for the establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-cleanup, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Steves Rd SE Box 91",Osakis,MN,56360,"(320) 236-7755",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Stevens, Stevens","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-xii,,,,
10017800,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase XII",2021,3322000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(b)","$3,322,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"". Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"".ds. Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN""",,,195000,"PF and Federal Private",3312100,9900,,0.11,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This is the twelfth phase to accelerate the protection and restoration of 540 acres of strategic prairie grasslands, associated wetlands and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be permanently protecting strategic parcels within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions which will be restored and transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included as a WMA. We continue to have more willing sellers of priority parcels which shows demand for continued phases of this program.","The purpose of this twelfth phase proposal is to accelerate the protection and restoration of prairie and prairie wetlands for associated wildlife. The partners involved in this effort are deploying their resources to build upon past investments in long-term upland and associated wetland conservation. The proposal focuses upon permanent habitat protection of 540 acres of land that will be managed for wildlife and waterfowl. These accomplishments further the goals outlined in the MN Wildlife Action Plan, the MN Prairie Conservation Plan, the Pheasant Action Plan, and the 2017 Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) Implementation Plan (including the Minnesota Tactical Plan within the PPJV Plan). Lands acquired from willing sellers will be prioritized using criteria used by MN DNR (Minnesota Wildlife Management Areas ? The Next 50 Years) which include location on the landscape, breeding waterfowl density, restoration potential, native community protection (e.g. Minnesota Biological Survey site), proximity to other investments in perpetually protected habitats. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff. All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal. In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria are used to develop the potential project list including 1) Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? 2) Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape-scale significance)? 3) Does the parcel contain significant natural communities, or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? 4) Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? 5) Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, wellhead protection, riparian protection, local community support, etc.)? Providing high-quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored and/or enhanced to as high quality as practicable, with the belief that quality and comprehensive restorations utilizing native species result in lower management costs. Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands habitat, drained wetlands will be restored, and invasive trees will be removed when appropriate.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Redwood, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Swift, Washington, Watonwan, Watonwan","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-xii,,,,
20696,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program, Phase 5",2014,7960000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$7,960,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Wetland and upland complexes consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Improved access to public lands. A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting. Improved access to public lands. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Improved access to public lands. ",,550500,"PF, Private, Federal ",7907200,,,0.28,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The proposal was to accelerate the protection of 1,220 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. Over the course of the appropriation, we acquired 11 parcels for a total of 1,484.05 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 1,220 acres by 264.05 acres.  Breaking down acres by ecological section we acquired 876 acres in the metro, 152 acres in the forest/prairie, and 456 acres in the prairie.  We have a balance of $52,798 that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals. In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received while using less personnel costs than proposed. ",,"The pressures from development, industry, and agriculture continue to mount on wildlife habitat within the farmland regions of Minnesota.  In fact, despite our collective investments in conservation, it is believed that many of the agricultural counties in Minnesota are continuing to experience a net loss of wildlife habitat.  This unfortunate reality is currently being exacerbated by conversion of lands expiring out of CRP.  Now, more than ever, is the time to accelerate our investments in permanently protected high quality public habitat complexes that will protect, maintain, and increase Minnesota’s wildlife populations.  In addition, being able to provide public areas for Minnesotans to hunt, trap, fish and otherwise recreate in the outdoors are urgent needs and is fundamental to ensure Minnesota’s outdoor heritage and appreciation of the outdoors is passed on to future generations. To help slow and reverse the loss of habitat and declining wildlife populations, Pheasants Forever (PF) and our partners have protected (fee acquisition from willing sellers) 1,484.05 acres of high priority grassland (native prairie if available), wetland, and wildlife habitat as state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) throughout the pheasant range of Minnesota.  Striving to build landscape level habitat complexes that will protect and sustain wildlife populations, many of the potential projects are additions to existing WMAs or WPAs, many of which were originally acquired in partnership with MNDNR, local PF chapters, and conservation partners. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff.  All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal.  In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria were used to develop the potential project list including: Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape scale significance)? Does the parcel contain significant natural communities or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, lakeshore, local community support etc.)? All acquired lands will meet the minimum initial development standards for WMAs.  In addition, providing high quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored and/or enhanced to as high quality as practicable, with the belief that quality and comprehensive restorations utilizing native species result in lower management costs.  Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands to the fullest extent.  Enhancement work may include undesirable woody vegetation removal, water control structure installation, inter-seeding to increase diversity and structure, managed grazing, invasive species control, or any other activity that improves the diversity and health of the prairie-wetland habitat complex.  Pheasants Forever’s network of 76 Minnesota chapters and 26,000 members have been actively involved in protecting and restoring lands in partnership with the Minnesota DNR for 27 years and will continue to be a priority.  WMA’s are an integral component to the comprehensive conservation strategy within the prairie region of the state.  The WMAs within this proposal will not only protect, increase, and sustain wildlife habitat and populations; they will provide access and recreational opportunities, including hunting, to ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage.  ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S.","South Haven",MN,55386,763-242-1273,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Brown, Carver, Cottonwood, Jackson, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Martin, McLeod, Mower, Murray, Pipestone, Renville, Stearns, Stevens","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-5,,,,
20699,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program, Phase 5",2014,6830000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$6,830,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Over the course of the appropriation, 14 parcels were acquired totaling 1,240.79 acres which exceeded the total acre goal of 1,230 acres by 10.79 acres. Breaking down acres by ecological section we acquired 160 acres in the forest/prairie and 1,080.79 acres in the prairie.  Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands.  Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Improved access to public lands. A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting. Improved access to public lands. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Improved access to public lands. ",,3813300,"Federal Government, PF, Private ",6743500,,,.19,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The program was to accelerate the protection of 1,230 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting in Minnesota. Over the course of the appropriation, we acquired 14 parcels for a total of 1,240.79 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 1,230 acres by 10.79 acres.  Breaking down acres by ecological section we acquired 160 acres in the forest/prairie and 1,080.79 acres in the prairie.  We have a balance that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals. In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received. ",,"The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented.  One of the primary ways to reverse this downward trend is to permanently acquire and restore previously converted wetland and grassland habitats on those properties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50-years with the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This acceleration program acquired and restored 205.77 acres of wetland and 1,035.02 acres of grassland habitats which are now permanently protected as Waterfowl Protection Areas managed by the Service. Using landscape level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the Service’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)], Pheasants Forever (PF) has acquired these strategically identified properties. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife the acres affected by this grant application will produce.  Besides the obvious wildlife benefits the lands acquired through this grant will provide additional water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community here in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing public access and have used WPA’s extensively in the past. To address concerns related to the erosion of county tax revenues due to public land, the Service and PF notified counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the Service will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located.  In addition, the Service will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective Counties.   ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Eran ",Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave","South Haven",MN,55382,763-242-1273,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Clay, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Rice, Stearns, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-5,,,,
20716,"Accelerated Wetland and Shallow Lake Enhancement",2014,1790000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(f)","$1,790,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes, including $210,000 for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to help implement restorations and enhancements. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands. ",,,"Ducks Unlimited ",1766600,62300,,0.7,DNR,"State Government","Many of Minnesota's wetlands have been lost and the remainder degraded.  The original proposal planned for 15,000 acres of wetland/shallow lake enhancement to provide critical habitat for each life stage of waterfowl and wetland wildlife.  The six projects subsequently completed with this appropriation enhanced 13,800 acres of wetlands and shallow lakes in the Prarie and Forest/Prairie Ecosections of Minnestoa. ","    ","Minnesota's ""Long Range Duck Recovery Plan,"" released in 2006, identified a strategic 50-year vision to"" restore, protect, and manage a landscape capable of supporting an average spring breeding population of one million ducks and restoring the historically abundant spring and fall migration of waterfowl.""  A key component of this plan is the restoration and enhancement of 2 million acres of habitat. With this specific appropriation, the DNR completed work on 6 valuable habitat projects: - Completion of a fish barrier and structure to enhance 10,000 of Swan Lake.  Ducks Unlimited (DU) designed and oversaw construction of this project.   Available funding also allowed for additional work on the outlet channel to facilitate water movement. - Construction of a water control structure and dike renovation for Pool 1 of Roseau River Wildlife Area enhanced 1,150 acres of wetland habitat. - Hartford WMA had a water control structure replaced and dike renovated to bring back water to 20 acres of wetland. - 166 acres of wetland are being enhanced through the replacement of two water control structures and dike renovation at Ereaux WMA in Morrison County. - Mille Lacs WMA is undergoing extensive work to replace failed water control structures and renovate associated dikes. This work involves funding from two OHF appropriation.  Half of the completed wetland habitat enhancement work - 2,475 - will be accounted for in this final report.  The remaining 2,475 acres will be reported in the ML14 OHF appropriation final report. - The State Line Lake project, in southern Freeborn County, involved construction at the shallow lake outlet and a rotenone treatment to remove unwanted fish.  Ducks Unlimited completed the construction and reported all the project acres in their final report for the DU appropriation that included funding for that portion of the project.  The rotenone treatment was completed with funding from this DNR appropriation.  NOTE: This final report will not report acres for State Line Lake, as they have already been reported by DU.  Also, State Line Lake became the first project to use the large pump purchased by DU and provided to the DNR.  Pictures are attached to this final report. ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Rd Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Freeborn, Jackson, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Mille Lacs, Nicollet, Polk, Roseau, Todd, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-wetland-and-shallow-lake-enhancement,,,,
769,"Accelerated Prairie and Grassland Management, Phase 1",2010,1700000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$1,700,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of native prairie vegetation on public lands, including roadsides. A list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. To the extent possible, prairie restorations conducted with money appropriated in this section must plant vegetation or sow seed only of ecotypes native to Minnesota, and preferably of the local ecotype, using a high diversity of species originating from as close to the restoration site as possible, and protect existing native prairies from genetic contamination.",,"Enhanced 5785 acres of Prairies",,,,1700000,,,.50,DNR,"State Government","This program will complete the initial WMA site development on 1,500 acres of land acquired in the Accelerated Prairie Grassland WMA and Accelerated Wetland WMA Acquisition programs to meet standards for inclusion in the Outdoor Recreation System. This program will also accelerate the restoration, enhancement and management of at least 5,180 acres of native prairie vegetation on existing public lands. Prairie restoration efforts include site preparation, seeding of local ecotype seed, post-seeding management to assure success, and seed harvest of local ecotype seed for prairie restoration at other public land sites. Prairie management efforts will include prescribed burning, managing woody cover encroachment, mowing and interseeding of diverse grass and forb species.","Native grasslands are a rarity of MN, less than 1 percent remains.? Prairie ecosystems have evolved with fire disturbance, and much of the prairie vegetation and prairie obligated wildlife species depend upon it.? Grassland birds, for example, have had a steeper more consistent and widespread poplation declines than any other group of North American avifauna.? Prairie ecosystem are also threatened by the encroachment and dominance of woody species and exotic plants.? Since settlement, most prairie sited in the targeted area have not been exposed to natural ecological processes (such as fire and grazing) needed for sustaining or enhancing prairire plant communities.? Furthermore, many existing grassland sites on state-owned public lands need to be restore to native prairie vegetation to imrove wildlife habitat and reduce long-term maintenance costs.? Creation of accelerated prairie management teams woudl address a long-standing ""back log"" of managemenr need by implementing intensive prairie stewardship practices.? Although MN DNR has the traiing and know-how to restor and mange high quality prairie vegetation currently fundign has been insufficient to meet all needs.? MN DNR manager over 450,000 acres of grasslands and many sites on publci lands are currently not being actively managed to realixe full poltntial as a plant community or wildlife habitat.? Re-establishing prairie on public lands requires periodic burning, inter-seeding grasslands with native species, and up to 5 years or brome that have low habitat values.? Furthermore, exotic and/or invasive plants are encroaching into them.? Newly acquired areas and state-owned marginal croplands also need to be seeded and treated.? Using hight quality seed from established prairie sites to plant at other locatons has proven to be highly cost-effective.? Managing and enhancing existing prairie vegetation on public lands requires periodic burning, grazing, and/or mowing.? Woody cover encroachment is an especially troublesome problem that must be addressed.? Removing tress and brush will be a major emphasis of this program at a cost of between $5 and $8 per tree - larger trees cost significantly more to remove than smaller trees.? Prairie enhancment work is done during primarily early spring, fall and winter.? The Roadsides for Wildlf eProgram has been improving grassland habitat along MN roadsides since 1984.? On average, the DNR seeds native prairie on 50-300 acres of roadsides a year at 5-20 sites, typically on county and township roads.? In contrast, Iowa seeds approximately 3,000 acres a year.? The DNR will continue to work with counties and townships but will also accelerate seeing on state-owned highway right-of-ways (ROW).? Most of MN roadsides are resently dominated by smooth brome (a non-native grass) and are vectors of invasive species and disease.? Native grasses and wildflowers are mor beneficial to pollinators and wildlife.? New WMA Initial Site Development - 1,500 acres - $300,000 New lands acquired through this program will require initial site development to make them functional WMA's.? This initial development will include restoring base ground to diverse mix of native grasses and planst, surveying and signing the coundaries and developing user facilities to protect them from encroachment and incontrolled intrusion, removing building and refuse sites and restoring to native vegetation, and closing all wells and septic systems to protect groundwater integrity. Roadsides for Wildlife - 150 acres - $225,000 DNR will partner with MnDOT to place native prairie along I-35 begining at the Iowa border and extending the full width of the road corridor for 5 miles.? MnDOT will do soe site prep in 2009 and then a contractor will finish up site prep and do the planing next spring.? The contractor wil also perform mowing and spot spraying as needed throughout the 2010 growing season.? This are is on state owned MnDOT ROW and will showcase a diverse roadside planting.? This five-mile stretch of road is highly visible as a major entry point to the state of MN and the southern end of MN portion of the National Prairie Passage.? Prairie Restoration and Management - 5,029 acres - $1,411,000 The primary focus of this program encompases 157 projects on 5,029 acres benefitting over 11,500 acres of planted and native grasslands.? The parcels include 157 projects that will be eompleted in 2 years or less with a total projected cost of $1.14 millin.? An additional 53 projects that will require 3 years or more to compolete have been identified as reserve sites.? The one and two year projects will be first priority.? Should budgets allow additional work, we would move down the list and begin implementation of longer duration projects.? In these instances, DNR will mst likely submit subsequent phases in future years for additional funding so the poejcts can be completed.? Conservation Delivery Grassland restoration work will be primarily through seeding either bare ground (e.g. newly acquired agricultural fields) or old-field habitat (e.g. smooth brome).? Techniques for thsi work incldue site preparation such as mowing, spraying, or burning when necessary; direct seeding and aerial seeding (along some roadsides).? Seed will be obtained from vendors of local seed and harvested from native or restored prairie to supplement when needed.? Projects will be designed and managed by DNR personnel (except ROW project which will be managed by DOT).? Contract vendors will be used to the greatest extent possible although DNR staff may perform some work when suitable contractors are not available.? Grassland management and enhancement work uses a number of techniques to reinvigorate or increase diversity of existing prairie type grasslands.? Without periodic disturbance such as burning, mowing, or grazing, grasslands decline in vigor and species diversity over time.? This portion of the project is designe to mimic natural disturbances, supplement species diversity when necessary and increase statnd vigor.? Techniques that will e employed include brush removal, chemical treatment, mowing, inter-seeding and burning.? Again contractors will beused to the greatest extent possible except in the case of burning.? ?","Final Report",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Bill,Penning,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",None,55155,"(651) 259-5230",bill.penning@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Waseca, Watonwan, Winona, Winona","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-and-grassland-management,,,,
778,"Accelerated Shallow Lake Restorations and Enhancements, Phase 1",2010,2528000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$2,528,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. or successor to restore and enhance shallow lake habitats. Up to $400,000 of this appropriation may be used for permanent easements related to shallow lake restorations and enhancements. A list of proposed easements and projects, describing the types and locations of easements, restorations, and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each easement, restoration, and enhancement.",,"Protect in easement 76 acres of wetlands, 103 acres of prairie and enhance 6,882 acres of wetlands",,,,2528000,,,,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will accelerate the improvement and protection of shallow lakes and large wetland habitat critical to migratory waterfowl and other wildlife in Minnesota by improving water quality and rejuvenating aquatic ecology in turbid shallow lake basins. DU will enhance eight (8) or more strategically-selected shallow lakes that have been legally designated by for wildlife management purposes by Minnesota DNR that total 6,000 wetland acres by engineering and implementing construction of water control structures, pumps, and fish barriers on their outlets. These structures will provide the Minnesota DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service with water level control capability to conduct temporary, periodic draw-downs that will improve wetland habitat quality. DU will also engineer two or more additional shallow lake improvement projects for future implementation 2010 and 2011. As approved by the Council, DU will also use up to $400,000 in grant funding to secure permanent conservation easement(s) on 180 acres on one or more shallow lake to protect shoreland and help buffer basins important to waterfowl.","Shallow lakes and large wetlands throughout Minnesota have become degraded due to high, stable water levels, altered natural hydrology, lack of natural fish winterkill, and invasive animal and plant species. Through our Living Lakes Initiative, DU provides wetland bio-engineering assistance to help the Minnesota DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service structurally improve shallow lakes outlets and enhance the habitat quality of wetlands throughout Minnesota. DU will implement 8 shallow lake projects previously engineered that will enhance nearly 6,000 acres of wetland habitat, and will complete final engineering plans of several additional projects for future implementation. The implementation of these 8 projects constitute the immediate backlog of complex shallow lake and large wetland water control structure and/or fish barrier projects previously engineered by DU for DNR and the Service. Structures will be constructed by private contractors hired by DU in fall 2009 (throughout competitive bid process) on public land or on private land under permanent easement with DNR or the Service, and structures will be subsequently used in 2010 by state or federal land management staff to conduct temporary draw-downs to improve shallow lake ecology and habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds by reducing invasive fish and rejuvenating aquatic plants and invertebrates. DU staff will provide final engineering and construction management oversight throughout the construction process, and will solicit competitive bids and award construction contracts to private firms to implement the projects. Basins will be slowly reflooded in 2011 or 2012 once aquatic plants become reestablished. This periodic, temporary water level ""draw-down"" management process simulates natural drought conditions that are vital to rejuvenating aquatic ecology in wetlands, and is routinely used by DNR and the Service. Support from private landowners and other stakeholders such as local sportsmen groups is secured in advance of project implementation through the DNR's wildlife lake designation process and lake management plan development process.    This grant will also fund DU bio-engineering staff that will assess turbid shallow lakes and develop new engineering plans for additional projects that can be implemented in the future. This will include all aspects of engineering (survey, design, plans and specifications), assisting state and federal agencies in assessing basins and securing structure or flowage easements from private landowners, permits, and assisting the legal ""wildlife lake"" designation process required to allow active water level management of additional shallow lakes. Funds to construct these additional shallow lake projects engineered through this grant will be subsequently requested from the LOHC in the future.   Du will also use up to $400,000 in grant funds to secure permanent conservation easements on 180 acres along a managed shallow lake to protect it's shoreland, including making 80 acres of restored prairie habitat now in CRP permanent. These easements will be held and annually monitored by DU. Long-term conservation easement stewardship funding will be provided by these grant funds, through donation from the private landowner to ensure future monitoring and management of lands protected under permanent easement.  Conservation easements will protect sensitive shallow lake shoreland buffers, and limit future development and subdivision activities that can disrupt shallow lakes and complicate shallow lake water level management by agencies.","Final Report",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,None,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Faribault, Grant, Lac qui Parle, Murray, Stearns, Stearns",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lake-restorations-and-enhancements,,,,
779,"Accelerate the Waterfowl Production Area Program in Minnesota, Phase 1",2010,5600000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(c )","$5,600,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever or successor to acquire and restore wetland and related upland habitats, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited, Inc. or successor to be managed as waterfowl production areas. A list of proposed acquisitions and a list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of restorations, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"1,924 acres",,,,5600000,,,,"Pheasants Forever with USFWS and Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will cooperate to permanently restore and conserve approximately 800 acres of grassland and 400 acres of wetland as Waterfowl Production Areas in western and southern Minnesota. All lands acquired through this grant proposal will be owned and managed by the Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.","Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) are managed as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. However, land acquisition and restoration have not kept pace with habitat needs. This LSOHC project will add to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's acquisition of Minnesota's valuable wetland and grassland habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will immediately identify and prioritize lands to be acquired by Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited. PF and DU will complete landowner contacts, appraisals, and purchase agreements. Lands will be deeded to and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as WPA's. Under this management, restoration of native grasslands and wetlands will be completed and protected in perpetuity. Approximately 800 acres of grasslands and 400 acres of wetlands will be protected. Acquisition will occur in 18 months and habitat restoration will occur over the next two years depending on funding and seedbed preparation needs. Waterfowl Production Areas will be open for public recreation according to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act. This project will be part of the Waterfowl Production Area program that has successfully protected similar habitats in Minnesota for 50 years.","Accomplishment PlanPheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, acquired 12 parcels of land from willing sellers totaling 1,522 acres within priority wildlife habitat complexes throughout the prairie and metro regions of the state. Partners were highly successful at securing parcels as evidenced with a 86% acquisition completion rate (12 out of 14 projects closed) because appraisal values were competitive due to the fact most transactions were completed before the agricultural market boom in 2012. All of the acquired parcels are additions onto existing permanently protected wildlife habitat complexes creating an even larger benefit to waterfowl and the myriad of wildlife species that depend on these wetland / grassland habitats. All parcels have been donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are now protected and managed in perpetuity as Waterfowl Productions Areas (WPA) under the National Wildlife Refuge System. Each parcel is open for public recreation, including hunting, as defined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.Each acquired parcel has also been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable to ensure the maximum amount of benefits to migratory birds and other wildlife species. Wetlands restorations of various types, including seasonal wetlands, were restored by breaking drain tile lines, filling drainage ditches, constructing earthen dams, and installing water control structures. Invasive tree removal work was completed on many of these newly acquired lands and all agricultural fields restored to grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. In addition, 100 acres of wetland and grasslands were restored and 302 acres of prairie were enhanced on existing Waterfowl Production Areas in Pope and Traverse Counties, MN. These restored and permanently protected acres will provide critical habitat for breeding/migrating waterfowl as reproductive and winter habitat for grassland game and non game species.The work completed in this project has accelerated investment into permanently protected wildlife habitat complexes through the highly successful USFWS Waterfowl Production Area program. The outcomes of this project protects, maintains, and increases waterfowl and other wildlife populations within these areas. Furthermore, this work helps to improve water quality, reduces soil erosion, and provides public areas for Minnesotans to recreate in the outdoors, something so fundamental to ensure Minnesota’s future outdoor heritage.",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Joe,Pavelko,"Pheasants Forever","7975 Acorn Circle ",Victoria,None,55386,6125323800,jpavelko@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Rice, Steele, Stevens, Traverse, Traverse",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerate-waterfowl-production-area-program-minnesota,,,,
780,"Accelerated Prairie Grassland Restoration and Enhancement Program on DNR Lands, Phase 2",2011,5833000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$5,833,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the protection, restoration, and enhancement of native prairie vegetation. A list of proposed land acquisitions,restorations, and enhancements, describing the types and locations of acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b)."," Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands Improved condition of habitat on public lands Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation nee","Enhanced 22,823 acres, protected 1,577 acres and restored 211 acres of prairie. A total of 24,611 acres of prairie was restored, protected or enhanced.",,,,5646400,186600,,8.75,DNR,"State Government","This program will acquire and develop approximately 730, acres of new Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lands. New WMA acquisition acre targets by LSOHC Sections will be consistent with the recommendations of The Citizens Advisory Committee report of 2002? Wildlife Management Area Acquisition The Next 50 Years. Additionally, this program will protect 275 acres of native prairie as state Scientific & Natural Areas (SNAs) and perpetual Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements. This will provide habitat for rare species, Species in Greatest Conservation Need as identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) and provide habitat for other game and nongame wildlife species. All public SNA acquired through this project will be open to all forms of hunting and fishing. This program will also accelerate the restoration and enhancement of approximately 20,400 acres of native prairie vegetation on Wildlife Management Areas, Aquatic Management Areas, Scientific and Natural Areas, and State Forests. This will provide much needed wildlife habitat for a host of grassland and farmland species. Prairie restoration efforts will center on site preparation, seeding of local ecotype seed, post-seed management to assure success, and seed harvest of local ecotype seed for prairie restoration at other public land sites. Prairie enhancement efforts will center on prescribed burning, managing woody cover encroachment, and interseeding. Goat prairie enhancements are a distinct target in the Southeast Forests. There is a very significant unmet need for prescribed burning on public lands. We will hire a roving burn crew for 3 years. The crew will be fully equipped and self sufficient and will therefore be capable of burning an additional 7,000 acres per year. Fifty-percent of their time will be spent on burning (this is the entire spring and fall burn season). During the non-burn season the crew will complete 1,000 acres woody encroachment management annually (25%) on WMAs. The remaining 25% will be spent on other WMA habitat management activities. This work is all supplemental to the existing DNR burning and woody cover management programs ","The availability of public hunting lands does not meet the expectations of a growing Minnesota population. Due to the current recession, land prices have stabilized or declined and a short-term opportunity exists to purchase more value for our expenditures. The Citizens Advisory Committee on WMA acquisitions recommended due to long-term rising land costs and continued habitat loss, acquisition efforts should be accelerated to 21,000 acres per year for 10 years completing 30% of the 50 year goal of 702,200 acres. This objective has not been met due to inadequate funding. Supplementing our existing program with accelerated WMA acquisition will require additional temporary staff to acquire and develop new lands. Temperate grasslands are considered to be one of the most altered ecosystems on the earth. Native prairie and associated species have been targeted as critical habitats by the Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS). Since 1987, MCBS has evaluated and mapped about 200,000 acres of remaining prairie in the state as compared to the nearly 18 million acres identified about 100 years ago based on the public land surveys. Only half of this remaining prairie habitat is currently under some form of permanent protection. Although Minnesota DNR has the training and know-how to restore high quality prairie vegetation, current funding is insufficient to meet all needs. Many sites on state lands are currently not being actively managed to realize full potential as plant communities or wildlife habitat. Re-establishing prairie on public lands requires periodic burning, inter-seeding grasslands with native species, and up to five years of post-seeding management and assessment. Some state-owned grasslands are ""problem"" sites consisting of monotypic fields of brome of low habitat value. Furthermore exotic and/or invasive plants are encroaching and woody plant encroachment are especially troublesome problems that must be addressed. Portions of newly acquired areas and state-owned marginal croplands also need to be seeded and treated. Use of high quality seed from established prairie sites to plant at other locations has proven to be highly cost-effective. ","We continue to use the Prairie Plan to guide our work in the western part of the state.  While we don't limit ourselves to the core areas from the Plan, core areas and native sites usually rise to the top when we are developing short-term priority lists such as which units to try to burn each spring.  Although Minnesota DNR has the training and know-how to restore and enhance high quality prairie vegetation, past funding was insufficient to meet all needs.  Often time, we'd just 'plant some grass'.  These funds have given us the ability to use much higher diversity seed mixes in our restoration work.  We aren't there yet, but we are getting much closer to restoring the full plant diversity to sites compared to what we were doing a few years ago.  That said, there is still much to learn in the area of seed harvest, seeding method, and post-seeding management.  In some cases we are buying local seed from vendors.  In other cases, we are contracting with neighbors to mechanically harvest seed from established prairies.  This is probably the most cost-effective way of collecting the volume of seed need to do larger restorations.  We are also getting better at using different seed mixes within a site.  A wetland margin should not have the same seed mix as a sandy hilltop.  Probably the most innovative and effective part of this request was the addition of a roving crew.  These crews were 100% additive to the work that was being done in the past.  They had the equipment, skills, and expertise, and were able to move around the entire region to do work that simply wasn't being done in the past.  They were able to do projects by themselves, team up with local DNR staff, and occasionally work with staff from USFWS or TNC to do larger projects such a large Rx fires that cover multiple ownerships.  The other major part we can report in this first full length (5 year) project is our work with contractors.  While DNR staff worked with some contractors in the past, with these funds we were able to scale up these projects.  Through trial and error in some cases we have also figured out who the best contractors are for different types of projects.  Habitat work was new to many contractors.  It sometimes takes significant amounts of time to supervise contractors to make sure they are doing what we need done in the way we need it done.  The more we work with these contractors, we learn their specialties and they become dialed in to what needs to be done and how to do it.  They are also making improvements as they learn.  This is making enhancement work more effective and efficient for both DNR staff and the contractors.  Many of the contractors are pleased to have this extra work, especially when it comes at a time of the year which is normally their 'down' time.  Contractors are telling us they are keeping busy, hiring more staff, and getting more work done as a direct result of OHF funds. ",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Mike,Tenney,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",None,55155,"(651) 259-5230",michael.tenney@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, Wilkin","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-grassland-restoration-and-enhancement-program-dnr-lands,,,,
795,"Accelerated Forest Wildlife Habitat Program, Phase 1",2011,1791000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(d)","$1,791,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for acceleration of agency programs to acquire, in fee, land for state forests and restore and enhance state forest habitat. A list of projects including proposed fee title acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,"Protected in fee 397 acres and enhanced 7,586 of forests",,,,1791000,,,3.65,DNR,"State Government","This program will increase populations of a variety of game and non-game wildlife species by protecting and enhancing forest habitats on which wildlife depends. This program of on-the-ground forest conservation projects will amplify the wildlife value of forest communities on DNR administered forestlands. Our forest enhancement will treat 4,472 ac. These activities are not conducted as part of the DNR's commercial timber operations. Additionally, our program will acquire 404 acres of forestland that contributes to habitat complexes and other high priorities. Acquisitions focus on forestland for public hunting, and compatible outdoor uses. At a reduced level of funding, we are focusing on management activities that will maximize wildlife habitat outcomes, especially prescribed burning, hand release, and shearing/mowing. Our program will enhance oak and create a mix of young hardwood forest with more open meadow/brush lands to benefit grouse, elk, and deer. Forest opening creation/enhancement will increase nut and berry production, provide roosting/display areas, and create feeding areas for moose, deer, ruffed grouse, woodcock, and bear. Shearing of trees and brush in large open landscape priority areas will benefit sharp-tailed grouse. Shearing and mowing of hardwoods and brush in smaller patches will benefit woodcock and deer.Our program will benefit a number of nongame species, including yellow rails, sandhill cranes, northern harriers, bobolinks, and upland sandpipers. Activities that create/enhance forest openings will provide habitat for nongame species, including least chipmunks, northern flickers, coopers hawks, and song sparrows. The less intensive timber management in our program will help protect rare native plant communities and a number of nongame species through retention and enhancement of plant species diversity and structure.","Narrative Forests face a formidable array of challenges: fragmentation, invasive species, climate change, disease, and changes in forest-based economics and recreation. While Minnesota's 16.2 million ac of forest are diverse, the acreage and composition of forests have changed significantly. The forest acreage is about half of what it was (31.5 million ac) in the mid 1800s. Just over half of the forestland in Minnesota is publicly owned; the State of Minnesota administers about 24%. Minnesota's forests help maintain the state's environmental and economic health. They are habitat for fish and wildlife, and a source of biodiversity, clean water, watershed protection, carbon sequestration, recreational opportunities, and many other benefits. Habitat loss and degradation are identified as the primary challenge facing wildlife. Almost one-third of the state's 292 Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) inhabit forests. The management objectives in this program parallel the forest management options outlined in Minnesota's State Wildlife Action Plan, Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare (Tomorrow's Habitat Plan). Implementation of these objectives in key habitats identified in the Plan will maintain and enhance native forest communities supporting game and non-game wildlife populations. Tomorrow's Habitat Plan also calls for the purchase and protection of key habitats as another tool to address the conservation needs of these species. Protecting forests threatened by fragmentation or development provide important opportunities for collaborative conservation of larger scale areas of habitat. Restoration of newly acquired state forestlands is essential to assure that sites in state ownership are improved to increase or retain their value as wildlife habitat. The availability of public hunting lands does not meet the expectations of a growing Minnesota population. Due to the current recession, land prices have stabilized or declined and a short-term opportunity exists to purchase more value for our expenditures. Broad goals for this program are provided through the Subsection Forest Resources Management Planning process which does include a public participation process. No opposition is anticipated. County board approval is required for all acquisitions. Program managers may add, delete, and substitute projects on this parcel list based upon need, readiness, cost, opportunity, and/or urgency so long as the substitute parcel/project forwards the constitutional objectives of this program in the Project Scope table of this accomplishment plan. The final accomplishment plan report will include the final project parcel list.","Forests face a formidable array of challenges:  fragmentation, invasive species, climate change, disease, and changes in forest-based economics and recreation.  While Minnesota’s 16.2 million ac of forest are diverse, the acreage and composition of forests have changed significantly.  The forest acreage is about half of what it was (31.5 million ac) in the mid 1800s.  Just over half of the forestland in Minnesota is publicly owned; the State of Minnesota administers about 24%.  Minnesota’s forests help maintain the state’s environmental and economic health.  They are habitat for fish and wildlife, and a source of biodiversity, clean water, watershed protection, carbon sequestration, recreational opportunities, and many other benefits.  Habitat loss and degradation are identified as the primary challenge facing wildlife.  Almost one-third of the state’s 292 Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) inhabit forests.  The management objectives in this program parallel the forest management options outlined in Minnesota’s State Wildlife Action Plan, Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare (Tomorrow’s Habitat Plan).  Implementation of these objectives in key habitats identified in the Plan will maintain and enhance native forest communities supporting game and non-game wildlife populations.  Tomorrow's Habitat Plan also calls for the purchase and protection of key habitats as another tool to address the conservation needs of these species.Protecting forests threatened by fragmentation or development provides important opportunities for collaborative conservation of larger scale areas of habitat.  Restoration of newly acquired state forestlands is essential to assure that sites in state ownership are improved to increase or retain their value as wildlife habitat.  The availability of public hunting lands does not meet the expectations of a growing Minnesota population.  Due to the current recession, land prices have stabilized or declined and a short-term opportunity exists to purchase more value for our expenditures.  Broad goals for this program are provided through the Subsection Forest Resources Management Planning process which includes a public participation process.  No opposition was anticipated.  County board approval was required for all acquisitions.Program managers were permitted to add, delete, and substitute projects on the parcel list based upon need, readiness, cost, opportunity, and/or urgency so long as the substitute parcel/project forwarded the constitutional objectives of this program in the Project Scope table of the accomplishment plan.  This final report includes the final project parcel list.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Cynthia,Osmundson,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",,55155,"(651) 259-5169",bob.welsh@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Beltrami, Benton, Cass, Chisago, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Olmsted, Pine, Rice, Roseau, St. Louis, St. Louis","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-forest-wildlife-habitat-program,,,,
797,"Accelerated Shallow Lake and Wetland Enhancement and Restoration Program, Phase 2",2011,6505000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(a)","$6,505,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources to assess, enhance, and restore shallow lake and wetland habitats, to acquire land in fee or through permanent conservation easements for shallow lake program restoration, and to provide stewardship for acquired easements in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. of this appropriation, $1,463,000 is for the Department of Natural Resources agency program acceleration and $5,042,000 is for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. A list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of land acquisitions, restoration projects, and enhancement projects, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each acquisition, restoration project, and enhancement project. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b)",,"7603 acres",,,,6149500,355500,,,"Ducks Unlimited and DNR","State Government","This programmatic partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) will accelerate enhancement, restoration, and protection of shallow lakes and wetlands important to waterfowl. This partnership will assess, design, and implement shallow lake and wetland enhancement, restoration, and protection projects to address the most important wetland issues facing waterfowl and other wetland wildlife in Minnesota. Every statewide conservation plan recognizes the need for improving and protecting Minnesota's shallow lakes and wetlands for wildlife habitat. The MN DNR Duck Recovery Plan calls for the enhancement and active management of 1,800 shallow lakes while adding 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota's landscape. DU,s Living Lakes conservation initiative supports this plan with a goal of improving 300 shallow lakes in Minnesota. DNR and DU will accelerate partnership efforts to enhance, restore, and protect shallow lakes and wetlands through increased assessment and engineering plus funding for water structure construction and land control. Enhancing and properly managing shallow lakes and wetlands will involve three components: assessment and feasibility analysis (Pre-design), engineering survey, design, review, easements and permits (Design), and ultimately water structure installation (Construction). DU will also work with private landowners to permanently protect lands adjacent to shallow lakes through purchase of lands in and adjacent to large drained basins in fee-title to allow for restoration and/or through permanent conservation easements (Protection). In total, DNR and DU will conduct 200 assessments, work on developing 50 new projects including engineering designs, restore 63 acres, structurally enhance 7,172 acres, and protect 750 acres in fee-title. In the process, DNR may purchase small easements for water flowage and/or water control structure placement, and DU may purchase permanent conservation easements on shallow lake shoreline if needed and grant funding is available. ","An estimated 90% of Minnesota's prairie wetlands have been lost, and those that remain are often larger basins that were more difficult to drain. Throughout the state, these shallow lakes and large wetlands provide critical habitat for wetland wildlife production and migration, especially for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent birds. High quality shallow lakes and wetlands have clear water and abundant rooted aquatic vegetation. Emergent aquatic plants such as rushes and wild rice provide protective cover from weather and predators and over-water nesting habitat, while submerged plants provide food in the form of seeds and tubers and critical habitat for aquatic invertebrates. An abundance of aquatic invertebrates such as insects, amphipods, and snails are critical for breeding ducks and for duckling growth and survival. Protein and carbohydrates from seeds and tubers are critical foods during both spring and fall migration. Seasonally flooded wetlands often fill these needs for shorebirds and dabbling ducks, particularly during spring. However, it is typically the larger, more permanent wetlands and shallow lakes that are important to diving ducks in spring and provide the most important fall habitat for all waterfowl. However, the quality of shallow lakes and wetlands providing wildlife habitat has declined markedly due to landscape drainage and intensive agricultural land use, shoreline development, increased runoff carrying sediment and nutrients, and invasive plant and fish species. Invasive fish, such as bullheads, carp, and fathead minnows reduce the invertebrates and aquatic plants necessary for quality habitat. Highly altered landscape hydrology now allows these invasive fish to access and sustain populations in most of our remaining wetlands. The worst damage has occurred within the prairie and transition portions of the state where conversion of habitat to other uses has degraded the watersheds of shallow lakes and associated wetlands. Restoration of wetland and grassland complexes restores habitat and reduces excessive runoff that can improve water quality. However, in-basin management is also needed to switch turbid shallow lakes back to their preferred clear water state. While watershed improvements benefit shallow lakes and wetlands, and both regulatory and voluntary programs to minimize and mitigate watershed degradation are ongoing by many conservation agencies, watershed work alone will not often switch turbid lakes to clear lakes and improve waterfowl habitat in them. It is only through active water level management that simulates periodic droughts and stimulates aquatic plant growth combined with the removal of invasive fish that the quality of this important aquatic habitat can be rejuvenated and sustained into the future. Similar to the effects of periodic fires in upland prairie systems, temporary droughts in wetlands are essential to maintaining wetland productivity and to rejuvenating turbid shallow lakes. Water level variation drives wetland ecology, and has long been a well-established, science-based wetland management technique employed throughout the world. This programmatic partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) will accelerate enhancement, restoration, and protection of shallow lakes and wetlands important to waterfowl. This partnership will assess, design, and implement shallow lake and wetland enhancement, restoration, and protection projects to address the most important wetland issues facing waterfowl and other wetland wildlife in Minnesota. Central to our work will be the feasibility analysis, design, and installation of water control structures, pumps, and fish barriers that will provide state and federal conservation agency land managers with the ability to conduct temporary water level draw-downs that simulate the natural hydrologic regimes that drive wetland ecology. All projects will be constructed on public land or land under permanent easement by state or federal agencies, and all projects will be managed by Minnesota DNR field staff or by field staff of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Other agencies and tribal interests will be consulted and queried for input as projects are assessed, designed, and implemented. This proposal is based on the best available shallow lake and wetland management science coupled with over four decades of experience by Minnesota DNR and over two decades of wetland engineering expertise by DU. Specifically, at least 200 shallow lakes and wetlands will be assessed for their current condition and feasibility for needed improvement as determined by DNR and DU field staff. Meanwhile DNR and DU biologists and engineers will work on 50 shallow lake and wetland design projects to review and finalize engineering plans, obtain legal land rights and/or legal wildlife lake designation, obtain landowner and public support, and secure all necessary permits and approvals for future project implementation. DNR will develop shallow lake management plans with DU assistance and input. Landowner outreach will be conducted and public meetings held when needed to review, revise, and fully develop wetland structure projects for implementation, including wildlife lake designation public informational meetings and formal hearings. Finally, several wetland restoration projects will be implemented to restore 63 wetland acres, and 16 structural shallow lake and wetland enhancement projects will be constructed to allow managers to enhance over 7,000 wetland acres. To make future restoration of drained wetlands and shallow lakes legally feasible, DU will attempt to purchase 750 acres of land in fee-title in and adjacent to a drained shallow lake basin from willing private landowners (grant funds will not be used to purchase land from watershed districts or public agencies as per direction received from the Council). The land will eventually be transferred to the Minnesota DNR or U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Initial contacts with landowners and local governmental representatives have been favorable to preliminary land proposals, and county board approval will be sought before any land acquired is transferred to Minnesota DNR or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. DNR may purchase easements for water flowage and/or structure placement rights, if needed. Also, to protect managed shallow lakes subject to development, DU may also work with private landowners to explore opportunities for conservation easements, and may purchase or obtain donated permanent conservation easements that will be held and monitored in perpetuity by DU. Finally, DU will use grant funds over three years to coordinate and administer this grant. Budget reallocations up to 10% do not require an amendment to the Accomplishment Plan. ","This grant was a programmatic partnership between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) to accelerate enhancement, restoration, and protection of shallow lakes and wetlands important to waterfowl.  In partnership, DU and DNR assessed shallow lake conditions through the Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife Shallow Lakes Program, and designed and implemented shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration projects using water level control structures and other means.  DU also implemented land protection projects via fee-title land acquisitions to improve and buffer wetland habitats used by waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife in Minnesota. Overall, DU and DNR completed 26 project affecting 7,603 acres.  These included three wetland restoration projects restoring 97 acres, 18 shallow lake enhancement projects enhancing 7,154 wetland acres, and five fee-title land acquisition projects protecting 352 acres.  DNR also completed 317 shallow lake assessment surveys to document current ecological conditions and help justify future shallow lake enhancement projects, while DU staff worked on 50 new shallow lake engineering enhancement projects to design water control structures for state DNR Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), public waters, and wetlands on federal lands managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Financially, DU and DNR spent $6,439,871 of the $6,505,000 appropriated for this project.  DU spent the entire $5,042,000 portion appropriated to Ducks Unlimited while providing $1,205,381 in non-state financial leverage for a total expense of $6,247,381.  This non-state leverage provided by DU far surpassed the minimal leverage pledged, and was comprised of a combination of private funds donated to DU from individuals, foundations, and corporations, and federal grants such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).  Meanwhile, Minnesota DNR spent $$1,397,871 of the $1,463,000 appropriated to DNR, leaving $65,129 unspent to be returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund.  Although we fell short of our 750-acre land protection via fee-title acquisition goal, we exceeded all other original accomplishment plan goals of 200 shallow lake assessments, engineering work on 50 new enhancement projects, restoration of 63 wetland acres, and enhancement of 7,132 shallow lake wetland acres. The shortfall in total acres acquired was due to sharply rising cropland prices during this grant period, and uncooperative landowners in the drained Moonshine Lake basin in Big Stone County that made acquisition of those lands not feasible as previously planned.  The primary landowner there refused to sell his land for appraised fair market value, and DU did not anticipate the spike in agricultural land prices that made acquiring an equal number of acres elsewhere impossible.  Nonetheless, DU did acquire five smaller parcels totaling 352 acres in the Prairie Section, including 100 acres of wetlands and 252 acres of uplands.  These parcels have been transferred to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion into the state WMA system for long-term habitat management and public outdoor recreational use.Importantly, DU and DNR wetland projects were highly successful and surpassed our acreage goals.  DU and DNR completed three wetland restoration projects, one by DNR on Pelican Lake WMA in Wright County that restored hydrology to 25 wetland acres in the Metro Section, and two others by DU that involved restoring wetland hydrology to 45 acres on Fenmont WMA in Nobles County and 27 acres o Four Corners WMA in Martin County in the Prairie Section.  Moreover, DU and DNR each completed nine additional shallow lake and wetland enhancement projects that improved wetland ecological condition and management capability, for a total of 18 projects that enhanced 7,154 wetland acres in Prairie, Transition, and Metro Sections.  These were mostly structural enhancement projects where DU and DNR engineering installed water control structures to allow for temporary water level draw-downs to enhance the aquatic ecology of managed wetlands on state and federal areas (including four Waterfowl Production Areas).  Most of the acres enhanced were located on the Roseau state WMA, where DNR renovated an important dike used to control water levels in a large wetland. Elsewhere, DNR seeded wild rice into 40 acres of wetlands and shallow lakes in Wright and Stearns Counties in Metro, Transition, and Prairie Sections.All DU and DNR wetland restoration and shallow lake enhancement projects were in public waters or in basins on state DNR or federal land where DNR or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will manage and maintain them for both wildlife habitat and public benefit.  All lands acquired by DU were transferred to the Minnesota DNR for long-term wildlife habitat management and pubic outdoor recreational use.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Freeborn, Grant, Isanti, Kittson, Le Sueur, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Polk, Pope, Rice, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Stevens","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lake-and-wetland-enhancement-and-restoration-program,,,,
805,"Accelerated Aquatic Management Area Acquisition, Phase II",2011,3416000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(b)","$3,416,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate land acquisition by fee title and easements to be added to the state aquatic management area system as defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 86A, and to restore and enhance stream habitat and lake habitat. Land acquired in fee must remain open to hunting and fishing, consistent with the capacity of the land, during the open season, as determined in writing by the commissioner of natural resources. A list of proposed fee title and easement acquisitions, stream habitat restorations and enhancements, and lake habitat restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 18 acres, protected 286 acres and enhanced 242 acres of stream habitat.",,,,3416000,,,,DNR,"State Government","This program uses a multi-programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement for lakes, trout streams, and rivers across Minnesota. We propose to: i) protect 7.8 miles of shoreline on lakes, rivers and trout streams; ii) effect structural repairs to 2 lake outlet control structures that will integrate fish passage; iii) restore and enhance river and stream functions that will benefit over 50.5 river miles; and iv) enhance 1.4 miles of shoreline habitat on publicly-owned lakeshore. The strategic approach and priority resources targeted in this proposal are supported by a number of internal and external conservation planning documents. The DNR will implement the objectives of this proposal through established and highly successful programs each having strong stakeholder support including: Aquatic Management Area Program, Shoreland Habitat Restoration Program, Stream Habitat Program, and Coldwater Streams Program.","What is the problem to be addressed? Minnesota's aquatic habitats have been degraded or threatened by a century or more of land, hydrology, and human settlement related alterations. The consequences to aquatic species have been reduced habitats for essential life history stages, lack of access to traditional spawning areas, and fragmentation of formerly continuous habitat that served as corridors to facilitate seasonal movements. Geographically, aquatic habitats are in various states of quality and experiencing differing levels of environmental stress with a general pattern of healthy habitats under low stress in the northeast and less healthy habitats under high stress in the southern and western portions of the state (see Figure H-15 in the State Conservation and Preservation Plan). But even within this generalized pattern there are many notable exceptions ? aquatic habitats exhibiting declining quality under high environmental stress in the northeast, and moderate to high quality habitats within high environmental stress landscapes to the west and south. This provides a meaningful framework for providing habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement through DNR's diverse habitat programs infrastructure. How will this directly relate to restoring, protecting, or enhancing habitat? Why will this strategy work? Acquisition of priority habitats provides permanent protection backed by state and federal laws. The AMA designation unit within the Outdoor Recreation System was established by the Legislature in 1992 and has strong support from conservation groups and anglers. The AMA Program currently has an inventory of 830 miles of shoreline in over 330 AMAs, which provide permanent protection of critical riparian habitats, perpetuate fish and wildlife populations, safeguard water quality, and offer public recreational opportunities as an important additional benefit. Providing fish passage over in-stream barriers such as low-head dams and culverts by backfilling with rock reconnects fish and other aquatic species to upstream habitats essential for spawning, juvenile life stages, and overall abundance and genetic diversity of aquatic species. Stream restoration projects reconstruct the stream's natural pattern, profile, and dimension. Natural stream design favors hydrologic conditions that do not degrade the stream bank and bed and provides a diversity of microhabitats that are more favorable to fish and other aquatic species. Channel restoration, dam modification, and shoreline enhancement work is based on proven methods and DNR experience with multiple projects. The DNR has worked on large-scale river and stream restoration projects since 1998 and has completed or assisted in design elements of over 100 stream projects addressing restoration, fish passage, dam removal and dam modification to rapids. These are significant and durable accomplishments benefiting aquatic habitat. As examples of these successful strategies, DNR has conducted large-scale projects to restore the Whitewater River to its original channel; reconnected nearly the entire Minnesota portions of the Red River by direct dam removal or modification leaving only a few dams presently remaining that impede fish movements (primarily lake sturgeon); and enhanced 21 miles of shoreline on lakes across the state including many challenging high erosion sites. Also projects address other key components of a stream: wildlife and fish habitat, water quality, connectivity to the floodplain and upstream reaches, and hydrology. By drawing on the accumulated scientific knowledge on all components of the stream DNR strives to deliver the best possible restoration projects using the best science available. The DNR has conducted shoreline enhancement projects for over 10 years and during that time the program has grown in scope and popularity. The annual number of shoreland restoration projects completed has increased from 23 in 2002 to 60 in 2009. At the end of the L-SOHC grant period, 1.6 miles of public shoreline including AMAs and other state, county, township, and municipal lands will be enhanced to provide erosion protection, habitat diversity for multiple species of fish and wildlife (including game species and SGCNs), and enhanced aesthetics. Native plants and natural materials will be utilized to increase habitat complexity, provide protective cover, stabilize shorelines, and firmly anchor soils. Project habitat benefits will continue to accrue beyond the term of this grant as project sites mature and the shoreline assumes a more natural character. Describe the nature and extent of any partnerships in this project, stakeholder and public participation processes associated with the project and any anticipated support or opposition to the project. The AMA Acquisition Planning Committee developed an acquisition plan in 2007 that recommended purchasing an additional 2,595 miles of riparian lands over 25 years to meet the habitat protection needs of a rapidly changing Minnesota. This stakeholder-developed plan guides DNR's AMA program implementation. Restoration and enhancement elements of this project are linked to various landscape or system-specific management plans (e.g., Lake Superior Management Plan) that have been developed through extensive internal and external coordination. These elements represent shared priorities with multiple partners and stakeholders. For land acquisitions, indicate local government support and approval Township and County support are usually obtained as part of the acquisition process. County Boards are typically notified after AMA parcels have been optioned and consistent with DNR policy.","We completed six fish passage projects, benefiting 1,311 acres of habitat that will now be accessible to migrating fish and mussels. These projects were modifications to dams that will allow fish to bypass these former barriers. One fish passage project on Chester Creek planned for this appropriation was not completed due to delays in contracting for construction by our project partner, the city of Duluth. They have been very busy contracting stream projects due to the flood of 2012, and this unexpected development kept us from completing the project on time. A design for the project was paid for with this appropriation. The project will be built in 2016 using flood damage money from the State of Minnesota.An instream habitat project was completed on West Beaver Creek. The project narrowed the stream channel to improve instream habitat and better transport fine sediment. Instream habitat was also enhanced, and bank stability improved to reduce erosion.Riparian habitat was enhanced at fourteen coldwater streams and two warmwater streams. These projects will enhance native prairie plants that will improve bank stability and instream cover. Prairie species also encourage narrow and deep stream channels that better move fine sediment, improving habitat for fish and invertebrates. Habitat practices included brush removal, prescribed burns, control of invasive plants, and planting of native species.Lake riparian habitat was enhanced at nine locations. These projects were done cooperatively through grants to local organizations. Mowed turf grass was replaced with native plants with deep roots that are better at stabilizing the shoreline and provide habitat for species such as frogs and other aquatic animals. These parcels are also open to public fishing.We permanently protected lakeshore habitat at eight locations, covering 276 acres. These parcels will protect intact lake shoreline that has been shown to be critical to fish reproduction, and to preventing shoreland erosion. We also protected one parcel on a trout stream through a conservation easement. This will protect coldwater conditions and habitat in the stream through the preservation of riparian vegetation. This parcel will also be open to public fishing.We fell short of our planned output acreage for this appropriation due to a number of factors. First, our protection acreage can vary depending on the relative amount of upland land that is purchased with adjoining waterfront. Sometimes parcels are a narrow strip of lakeshore, while at other times a parcel may be quite deep and have considerable upland that is purchased. For this appropriation, our acquisitions leaned toward primarily waterfront land resulting in a shortfall of 98 acres. Second, when this accomplishment plan was written we planned to be able to account for benefitted upstream acres for fish passage projects. During a plan amendment for a different appropriation we were given direction by the council that we should only count footprint acres for these types of projects. We did not go back and do plan amendments for other appropriations to reflect this guidance, but did follow that direction in our reporting. As a result we reported 1260 acres less than was planned. Third, our trout stream riparian enhancement work over-estimated the amount that we could complete, resulting in a shortfall of 424 acres. The work for this part of the appropriation was completed during the last 6 months that the money was available, preventing a plan amendment to reflect the change in acreage output. We will know better in the future how to estimate acres for this type of work. The fourth reason for our shortfall was an amendment from a fish passage project on the Mississippi River at Little Falls to a channel restoration project on the Buffalo River. As previously mentioned, when the plan was written we expected to report the full benefitted acreage for the fish passage project. When we amended to plan to spend that money on the Buffalo River, there was no corresponding change to our planned output acres as reflected in table 1. This was not changed mainly because the original version of ML2010 accomplishment plan does not include a “Table 1” as shown in the online version. Instead there are a series of less organized tables that allow for a more narrative description of the work. The resulting shortfall in acres from this change was 564 acres.In total, these differences from the accomplishment plan account for 2346 acres, which would explain the difference between the original plan and what we have reported for output. We have learned several lessons regarding output acres since this early appropriation. We will work hard to have our outputs better match the accomplishment plan in future reporting.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Michael,Duval,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road ","Saint Paul",,55155,"(218) 833-8612",michael.duval@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lake, Le Sueur, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Murray, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Ramsey, Redwood, Rice, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Wadena","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-aquatic-management-area-acquisition,,,,
9801,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program , Phase 4",2013,3300000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$3,300,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in fee 73 acres of wetlands and 565 acres of prairies",,534100,"Pheasants Forever private funding and Federal monies",3300000,,,.09,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The program accelerated the protection of 550 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. However, over the course of the appropriation, we acquired seven parcels for a total of 638 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 550 acres by 88 acres.  Breaking down acres by ecological section we exceed our 440 acre goal for the prairie region by 171 acres.  We have a balance of $62,300 that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals and demonstrating the high level of efficiency Pheasants Forever operates at.  In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received while using less personnel costs than proposed.One tract of significance worth mentioning is Mel Roehrl WMA which was one of the largest permanent protection projects in this proposal at 110 acres.  The Mel Roehrl WMA Addition builds on the existing 197 acre Mel Roehl WMA.  Within three miles of this tract there are four WPAs totaling 491 acres, two SNAs totaling 226 acres and one 197 acre WMA.  In addition there are numerous perpetual FWS conservation easements in this area.  This habitat complex is a mere 22 miles from Alexandria in western Stearns County, has outstanding grassland, wetland and winter habitat and is located in an area of the county with large numbers of existing CRP tracts. Opportunities for public hunting and trapping is very high. This area is a notable pheasant and deer hunting area of the county.  This tract, like many of the other tracts purchased in this proposal, are within identified priority areas by MN DNR, USFWS, and other partners.  Some of the factors we use to prioritize acquisitions are Grassland Bird Conservation Areas, Fish and Wildlife habitat rankings (e.g. HAPET scores, duck nesting pair density), and stateside plans (e.g. Pheasant Action Plan, Wildlife Action Plan).  In addition we use site specific factors such as rare species, native prairie, and restoration potential to decide which tracts will best benefit fish, game, and wildlife.",,"Final Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2013/accomp_plan/2f.pdf Working in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 638 acres of strategic habitat that builds onto existing protected lands and/or develops corridors for wildlife. All lands acquired have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Program and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We have worked together with federal, state and local partners when acquiring the seven parcels which will now be celebrated as new WMAs. These new additions to existing WMAs not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but helps reduce erosion, improve water filtration, and provide quality habitat for many of Minnesota's non-game species. The offers to the landowner were based on fair market values and appraisals. The acquired parcels addressed a backlog of willing sellers that now are helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota. Parcels were identified jointly with the MN DNR, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility. Pheasants Forever's methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Wildlife Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers. We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics. We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners such as the MN prairie Conservation Plan, the Pheasant Action Plan, or the State Wildlife Action Plan to name a few. All parcels acquired have been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetlands were restored using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. Scattered invasive tree removal and prescribed fire were used where appropriate to enhance existing grassland habitat after protection.",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Avenue South","South Haven",MN,55382,320-236-7755,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, McLeod, Renville, Stearns, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-4,,,,
9803,"Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands, Phase 4",2013,4300000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(h)","$4,300,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 123 acres and enhanced 59,373 acres of prairie ",,,"n/a ",4282900,105100,,14,DNR,"State Government","The table below provides a short summary of the acres and sites accomplished. We enhanced or restored 59,495 acres in 458 separate habitat projects.Project Type # Sites # AcresFencing for conserv grazing 6 721grassland conversion 33 1,124Invasive Species Control 43 1,599mowing 3 104Prescribed burn 214 48,368Restoration 13 123Woody Removal 146 7,457",,"In the table above, grassland conversion is generally converting old brome or early low diversity CRP-like plantings (grass only) to a diverse native grass and forb mix. These projects are good examples of the benefits of OHF. Low diversity grasslands provide some habitat for wildlife. These funds allow us to enhance and improve these habitats, going above and beyond what we could do without these funds. By far our most effective management tool is prescribed fire and we were able to burn over 48,000 acres, just over 75 square miles, with these funds.Our acre estimate is probably a low number, especially for woody removal. Trees in grasslands affect both the immediate area as well as the surrounding area. Generally we remove trees to increase nest success in the surrounding areas. While we may only record one acre of tree removal, we’re enhancing nest success for an entire WMA.This was the fourth appropriation for the DNR's programmatic Grassland Enhancement efforts. The primary focus for the Wildlife Section of this appropriation was the use of two Roving Crews, in Region One (located in Polk County) and Region 3 (located in Dakota County). Roving Crews are self-contained habitat enhancement programs. One hundred percent of their time is dedicated to habitat enhancement. In addition, we worked with local contractors to do additional habitat work on WMAs and SNAs.Division of Ecological and Water Resource staff funded on this appropriation did a variety of tasks, including writing contracts for woody removal projects and prescribed burns, firebreak installation, prescribed burn planning and execution, prairie reconstruction, and smaller invasive removal projects. CCM crews were contracted for many projects to add additional abilities. Specifically noteworthy, southern region EWR hires a CCM crew for several weeks in the spring each year to build support into the DNR burn crew (there would not be enough staff for a crew without CCM).In addition to these data, we also provide the following narratives showing the outputs and outcomes of several of the projects on the parcel list.The Cuka WMA project involved the removal of scattered invasive volunteer trees from 130 acres of native and restored prairie. A DNR survey on June 11, 2013 revealed the presence of at least 508 individual clusters of Small White Lady Slipper orchids. The orchid is abundant on Cuka WMA and this tree removal was management that is a direct positive for the preservation of this species. The removal of predator perches and den trees was one objective that appears to have been successfully met based upon the pheasant production that has been observed on this unit in recent years. One hunter has harvested a 2 bird limit on every pheasant opener for the last four years.A large portion of Benson WMA was already a quality restored grassland and wetland complex when acquired, but had thousands of trees covering the WMA. Without treatment, the site would have soon lost its open nature and grassland wildlife. The site includes a very high quality remnant prairie that we use to harvest local ecotype seed for nearby WMA restorations.Two Rivers Aspen Parkland SNA is a 1400 acre high quality brush prairie that was being invaded by aspen. This transition can be devastating to many wildlife species, particularly sharp tailed grouse as they tend to abandon these areas once they transition. After the prescribed burn and woody removal projects, there was a significant increase in sharp tailed grouse observations.Sweetwater WMA has two tracts totaling 430 acres. These tracts are part of a contiguous complex of public lands, including roughly 1,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas and 500 acres of WMA in the heart of Lac qui Parle County – an area with a rich history of waterfowl and upland bird hunting. The tree removal work on Sweetwater WMA compliments ongoing habitat acquisitions, restorations and enhancements being done in this area through partnerships among USFWS, MNDNR, TNC, PF and DU.Cooperative Farming Agreement fields totaling nineteen acres on four WMAs in the south Metro were retired. The fields were planted to a diverse mix native grasses and forbs. This will benefit pollinators as well as providing additional nesting cover. These WMAs are relatively close to the Metro Area, proving both wildlife habitat as well as hunting and other recreational opportunities for Twin Cities residents.Because this is a programmatic appropriation, it’s difficult to assign a dollar amount to a specific project. Because of this and the large number of projects, we simply assigned dollars to projects proportional to acres completed in that project. In the same way, we proportionally assigned dollars to personnel based on FTEs.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Meeker, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Roseau, Statewide, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Washington, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-restoration-and-enhancement-dnr-lands-phase-4,,,,
9816,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement , Phase 4",2013,3870000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(e)","$3,870,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to develop engineering designs and complete construction to enhance shallow lakes and wetlands. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Work must be completed within three years of the effective date of this article.",,"Enhanced 10,085 acres of wetlands ",,,"n/a ",3644000,125300,,10,DNR,"State Government","This proposal impacts shallow lakes and wetlands in Minnesota through the design and construction of projects, enhancement work done by DNR roving habitat crews, and shallow lakes work identified and initiated through the DNR Shallow Lakes program.  Ten thousand acres of wetlands were enhanced by these activities.",,"This OHF-funded project utilized three components - individual project design and construction of wetland and shallow lake infrastructure, habitat enhancement work by DNR Roving Habitat Crews, and an expansion of the DNR Shallow Lakes program.Design and Construction - Twenty-one projects were designed or designed and constructed. Design only projects are surveyed and receive preliminary design plans and support from Minnesota DNR engineers. This initial work is critical to identify project issues, determine realistic cost estimates, and ensure that future construction can proceed with minimal delays. No acres are reported for design-only projects; that occurs only after construction. Eight projects were design-only. Thirteen projects were design and construct. These 13 projects involved the construction or renovation of water control structures, fish barriers and/or dikes. This work enhanced almost 1200 acres, 913 of which were in the Prairie Ecological Section.Roving Habitat Crews - Minnesota DNR Roving Habitat Crews are highly trained, equipped and motivated staff working together to enhance Wildlife Mangement Areas. Begun in 2010, 2 6-person crews were established to work on prairie grasslands, with one crew based in Mentor, MN and one based at Lac Qui Parle. Beginning with this Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancements, Phase IV, OHF appropriation, funding was provided to the 2 crews to allow to them expand to do wetland enhancement work. Each crew was provided 2 additional staff and they were able to spend 25% of their time and resources on wetland and shallow lake activities. This work included wetland prescribed burns, removal of woody vegetation from wetlands, the ability to work on wetland drawdowns, cattail spraying and mowing, and other wetland activities. The wetland acreage impacted by these crews has exceeded expectations, with 8,900 wetland acres enhanced. Three thousand-four hundred of these acres were enhanced in the Prairie Ecological Section. The most wetland acres were enhanced in Forest/Prairie Ecological Section, which is a function of the large habitat blocks that are available to manage in northwest Minnesota.Shallow Lakes Program - The Minnesota DNR Shallow Lakes Program consists of a supervisor and 8 shallow lakes specialists. Three of these shallow lake specialist positions were created and funded with the Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancements, Phase IV, OHF appropriation. Interns are used to augment shallow lake assessment work done during the summer field season. The Shallow Lakes Program can be described as having two major goals - assessment of shallow lakes through a standardized set of measures and initiating management of shallow lakes to enhance their value to wildlife. Management actions may include drawdowns, removal of unwanted fish, control of invasive species, and placement of major infrastructure. Acres are not reported for this component of the grant, though the work done by the Shallow Lakes Program is critical to acres subsequently reported by the DNR or Ducks Unlimited when OHF funds are used to implement management. A measure of the work accomplished by OHF-funded shallow lakes specialists is the number of number of shallow lake assessments the undertake during the grant period. For the period during which funding was provided by this OHF grant, the three funded specialists and interns accomplished 491 assessments on shallow lakes covering 160,268 acres.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"MN DNR Div. of Fish and Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5227,ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Benton, Carver, Cottonwood, Freeborn, Itasca, Jackson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Roseau, Todd, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetlands-enhancement-phase-4,,,,
2548,"Accelerated Aquatic Management Area Habitat Program, Phase 3",2012,6500000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$6,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee or permanent conservation easements for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. A list of proposed acquisitions and stream and lake habitat restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan.",,"Protect in fee 504 acres, easement 585 acres and Restore/Enhance 537 acres of Habitats",,752500,"value/cash donation",6464000,34900,,1.5,"MN DNR","State Government","We protected 22.3 miles of trout streams and 1.3 miles of lakeshore via easements (585 acres in total), and 7.4 miles (504 acres) of lakeshore through fee-title purchase. We enhanced shoreline habitat on 524 acres of riparian land, and instream habitat on 3.1 miles of trout streams and 0.5 miles of warmwater rivers. ",,"Final Report: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2012/accomp_plan/5a.pdf Protection of streams through conservation easements was enabled by the hiring of two easement specialists to work on acquisition. One position was funded through OHF, while the other leveraged funds from a Great Lakes Restoration grant. These positions contacted riparian landowners in targeted locations we prioritized for additional easement protection. We chose to target streams with high-quality habitat and fish populations, and along those streams we prioritized parcels that were adjacent to existing easements or protected public land, as well as landowners who owned parcels with longer lengths of stream. We also prioritized parcels with important features such as springs that are important to maintaining the cold water required by trout. All easements also needed to be accessible to the angling public, either from a public road, adjacent easement, or access path. Contacts with landowners were very fruitful; we found more potential parcels that we had money available for easements. This allowed us to prioritize the best parcels for easement purchase based on our criteria, but also created a list of potential parcels for acquisition using other funding sources, including OHF rounds from future years. We protected a total of 21.3 miles of trout streams using easements. One lakeshore parcel was also protected via conservation easement using this appropriation. The landowners (a scout camp) wanted the parcel protected, but also wanted to continue their passive use of the parcel. A conservation easement was a better tool than fee title acquisition in this case, which allowed us to protect 200 acres along 1.3 miles of lakeshore. The total amount of lake and stream shore acres protected by easements was just short of our goal (585 vs. 609), but we believe in the case of lake and stream riparian protection the length of shoreline is the more important measure. Fee title acquisition protected a total of 7.4 miles of lakeshore (504 acres) under this appropriation. We selected parcels for acquisition where the ratio of lakeshore to total acres was high in order to maximize riparian area protected, and where we protected critical and sensitive habitat such as emergent vegetation and natural shorelines that are critical for aquatic fish and wildlife. We were able to exceed our goal for acres protected in fee (504 vs. 427), in part due to over $550,000 in landowner donations of value that leveraged OHF money. We completed four stream habitat projects: two were on trout streams (Eagle and Rush Creeks), and two were on a warmwater rivers (Buffalo and Pomme de Terre Rivers). Eagle Creek had been degraded by years of cattle grazing, along with numerous beaver dams that had created a wide, shallow stream uninhabited by trout, unlike downstream reaches with better habitat. Using a combination of coir logs, rootwads and other woody debris, and grading and revegetating of the streambanks, the stream was narrowed to less than half of its former width. This created a much deeper stream channel with better habitat for fish, as well as the ability for the stream to better move the over-abundance of sand that comprised the stream bottom. Trout are now found in the restored half-mile of stream. The local watershed district contributed matching funds that helped to complete the project. Rush Creek habitat work has enhanced 2.5 miles of this trout stream. Steep eroding banks have been graded back, creating a floodplain that reduces the erosive energy of the stream during high water. Habitat structures of wood and rock have been placed in strategic locations on outside bends, providing stability to streambanks as well as cover for fish. All riparian areas have been seeded with a native mix of deep-rooted prairie grasses and forbs, providing enhanced stability for streambanks and habitat for terrestrial wildlife. Restoration of a reach of the Buffalo River was done on property owned by the City of Hawley. A formerly straightened reach of the river, the stream had eroding banks and lacked diverse depths, velocities, and cover required by most fish species. 2,700 feet of new meandering stream channel was constructed to restore the stream to a more natural condition, and outside bends were stabilized with woody material buried into the banks which not only provides stability while planted native vegetation becomes established, but also provides habitat for fish and aquatic insects. Enhancement work on the Pomme de Terre River was done on a relatively small area, but was critical to habitat in that reach. Due to bank erosion, the stream was in the process of cutting around a riffle that controls the grade of the streambed in that reach. That could have eventually lead to a downcutting of the stream channel that would have sent tons of sediment downstream. Instead, the streambank was stabilized using rootwads, and additional gravel and cobbles were added to the riffle to enhance its stability, as well as local habitat.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Brian,Nerbonne,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5205,brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lake, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Redwood, Rice, Scott, St. Louis, Swift, Wabasha, Winona","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-aquatic-management-area-habitat-program-phase-3,,,,
23902,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement Phase VI",2015,877700,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(e)","$1,050,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes statewide. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Enhanced 19,365 acres. ",,,,820100,86500,,,DNR,"State Government","Many of Minnesota's wetlands have been lost and the remainder degraded.  Recent tiling and ditching have accelerated this situation.  Through this program, shallow lakes and wetlands were designed, constructed, and intensively managed to benefit wetland wildlife and Minnesota residents.  Habitat accomplishments from this proposal have enhanced 19,365 acres of wetlands and shallow lakes to benefit waterfowl and wetland wildlife.  Work was accomplish through constructed infrastructure, cattail control, and a significant prescribed wetland burn. ",,"Approximately 30 species of waterfowl are regular migrants through Minnesota. More than a dozen breed and nest in Minnesota. While each of these species has its own particular habitat needs the common bond is a dependence on wetland habitat for survival. Meeting the needs of these waterfowl requires a complex of wetland sizes and types ranging from temporary and seasonal wetlands to large permanent shallow lakes.  Habitat work accomplished with this OHF appropriation contributes to the needs of these waterfowl and other wetland-associated wildlife. Five wetland/shallow lake infrastructure projects were designed and completed (Carlos Avery WMA, Anoka County; Joe River WMA, Kittson County; Cornish Flowage, Aitkin County; Mille Lacs WMA, Mille Lacs County; and Dry Sand WMA, Cass County).  These projects improved or replaced dikes and water level control structures.  These projects enhanced 3,079 acres of wetland habitat.  In addition to these design and construct projects, another four projects were design only.  Because of the complexity of many shallow lake and wetland infrastructure projects, we sometimes begin by bringing in engineers to survey and design potential projects.  We can use this initial information to develop cost estimates, obtain permits, and determine if and when to move ahead with construction.  Because design-only projects do not entail construction, no acres are claimed for these projects, as is consistent with our past reports. These four design-only projects were at Spohn WMA, Quistorff WMA, Aurzada WMA, and Ruff-Nik WMA, all in Todd County. 6,068 acres of invasive cattails were sprayed statewide.  This work was done in both 2015 and 2018.  The work in 2015 was done using private contractors, but in 2018 we were able to do the work using a state-owned helicopter outfitted with an OHF-funded spray unit and using the OHF-funded Roving Habitat Crews as ground support personnel. The acreage of cattails sprayed includes 13.3 acres of a new invasive grass that was discovered at McCarthy Lake WMA.  We were able to effectively deal with this potential threat thanks to the equipment and personnel we now have available.  While aerial spraying of monotypic stands of cattails can't resolve the problem statewide due to the extent of their coverage, property managers are excited to have aerial spraying as a means to improve wetland habitat at select sites.   Finally, a major prescribed wetland burn was funded out of this appropriation which enhanced 10,200 acres.  This was one of the largest prescribed burns ever done in Minnesota.  The effectiveness of this burn and it's relatively low cost have property managers considering future large wetland burns. In total, 19,365 wetland acres were enhanced by this appropriation, well above the Accomplishment Plan goal. ",2014-07-01,2019-10-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"MN DNR Div. of Fish and Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami, Cass, Chippewa, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Isanti, Jackson, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, St. Louis, Stearns, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-vi,,,,
23903,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase VI",2015,6332700,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(b)","$7,280,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected 1554 acres (in fee without state PILT liability) ",,3673900,"Federal, PF, Private, Federal, Federal Federal, ",6332700,,,0.36,"Pheasants Forever with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The goal of this program was to accelerate the protection of 887 acres as Waterfowl Production Area's. Pheasants Forever successfully protected eight parcels totaling 1,554.39 acres of prairie wetland and grasslands providing excellent habitat for numerous wildlife. In total, we under spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received. ",,"The loss of grassland and wetland habitats in Minnesota is well documented.  One of the primary ways to reverse this downward trend is to permanently acquire and restore previously converted wetland and grassland habitats on those properties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50-years with the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). This sixth phase of the acceleration program acquires AND restores 335 acres of wetland and 505 acres of grassland habitats which will be permanently protected as Waterfowl Protection Areas managed by the Service. Using landscape level planning tools [e.g. Thunderstorm Maps produced by the Service’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)], Pheasants Forever (PF) will acquire strategically identified properties. Based on HAPET evaluation strategies, modeling predictions can be made on the numbers of nesting waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and other wildlife the acres affected by this grant application will produce.  Besides the obvious wildlife benefits, once restored, the lands acquired through this grant will provide additional water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community here in Minnesota. Hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing opportunities for hunting and fishing public access and have used WPA’s extensively in the past. To address concerns related to the erosion of county tax revenues due to public land, the Service and PF will notify counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the Service will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located.  In addition, the Service will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective Counties. Funding for restoration of the properties will be solicited from partners. If this funding is available, budgeted Outdoor Heritage restoration funds under this proposal would be able to accomplish additional fee title w/o PILT acquisition funds. Wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch “plugs” or breaking sub-surface tile lines. Grasslands will be restored by planting appropriate native grasses and forbs to converted grassland habitats. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years and involve one to two years of post acquisition farming to prepare the seed base, one year for seeding and one to two years to establish. ",2014-07-01,2020-12-18,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Stevens Road SE",Osakis,MN,56360,"(320) 250-6317",sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Pope, Sibley, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-vi,,,,
2530,"Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands, Phase 3",2012,1652000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$1,652,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and land under native prairie bank easements.",,"Enhance 20,600 acres of prairie",,,n/a,1567500,39800,,8.80,"MN DNR","State Government","This appropriation funded 283 projects totaling 21,953 acres. The two largest types of enhancement were 112 woody removal projects totaling 10,160 acres and 134 prescribed burns totaling 10,082 acres. Additionally, we seeded 30 sites totaling 1386 acres, put in infrastructure for conservation grazing of 236 acres on 3 sites, conducted 3 oak savanna enhancements totaling 42 acres, and treated 47 acres of invasive species on 2 sites.",,"Final ReportThis was a shared appropriation between the Fish & Wildlife (FAW) and the Ecological & Water Resources (EWR) Divisions within the DNR.  Both Divisions requested priority grassland projects from field staff across the state.  When this appropriation was funded, the Prairie Plan and other large-scale prairie-focused strategic plans were still in their infancy.  Parcels on the initial parcel list included in the funding request were developed primarily using priorities developed at the regional and areas levels by Area Wildlife Managers and SNA field staff. The parcel list changed substantially from the time of the request as the project went on because of several factors, including: 1) one of the core strengths of the Roving Crew is their flexibility to move quickly on a priority habitat enhancement opportunity, and this often meant addressing parcels that met the appropriation’s purpose, but not on the parcel list; 2) given the nature and purpose of the Roving Crew, parcels/projects done by them were not on the original list, but were added upon completion; and 3) site condition and weather help determine whether we can work on a given project on a given day, and we do our best to find alternate parcels of similar value/priority, even if not on the original parcel list, to maximize efficiency.  Especially when it comes to weather issues (usually ‘too wet’), often large areas affected.  The flexibility of the Roving Crew allowed them to do same enhancement work, but on WMAs in nearby counties not as affected by the weather. For all these reasons, we added a number of sites in counties not originally included in the parcel list.  Although it can make reporting challenging, we feel this dynamic flexibility is one of the strengths of our Roving Crews and our contracting process.  While many appropriations highlight specific projects, “what” they did, we feel the strength of this appropriation is in the cumulative effect of many small projects and “how” we did it.  Specifically, we did a lot of this work by developing the Region 4 (Southern) DNR Roving Crew.  This crew is located at Lac Qui Parle.  As part of developing a new crew, office and shop space had to be developed, crews hired, and those crews needed to be equipped.  That was followed by a steep learning curve as the crew coalesced and began working on projects.  These crews only do habitat work.  We try to minimize the time spent with paperwork, office work, budgets, etc, so that they can fully devote their time to ‘boots on the ground’ habitat enhancement projects.  At the same time, there were some inclement weather patterns during these years that limited the activities of the crews during some periods.  Even given those unavoidable issues, the appropriation exceeded its target acres.  It is our assessment that these initial years are the slowest and therefore least productive.  This crew, as well as the other two, are all functioning as highly efficient teams.  The rest of the work was done with contractors, which stimulates local rural economies.  According to the research literature, we actually underestimating the acres enhanced, especially as it relates to woody removal projects.  Numerous studies show it’s not just the area ‘under the trees’ that impact grassland birds, but the area around the woody vegetation.  Some species simply won’t nest near woody cover and other studies show high nest predation (gamebird) or brood parasitism (songbirds) rates near woody cover.  By removing even a few trees from the center of a grassland, we are actually enhancing the entire area.  Snyder (1984) found that pheasant nest success double greater than 600 meters from a tree.  That means for every tree, or clump of trees, removed we are effectively enhancing nesting success in the surrounding 280 acres of grassland.Although this appropriation focused on the Roving Crew, we can highlight a couple projects as small examples of all the work that we are proud of.  Glenflur WMA – Cottonwood County.  This 165 acre tree removal project substantially opened up this tract.  This WMA is part of the Cottonwood River Prairie Core Area and contains areas of unbroken prairie.  This site had not experienced significance disturbance, other than heavy grazing, in several decades.  A lack of disturbance had allowed tree succession to begin to invade. Prairie Bush Clover and Loggerhead Shrike are SGCN noted in this area.Lac qui Parle WMA-Nygard Tract – Swift County.  This tract is part of the larger Chippewa Prairie on the Lac qui Parle WMA and is part of a Prairie Plan Core Area.  This remnant prairie had been moderately grazed and had not seen disturbance by fire in decades.  Woody encroachment was beginning to take hold prior to this project.  Through a combination of tree removal, prescribed burning and grazing this site is now in good condition with sightings of several native prairie species that were suppressed due to lack of disturbance from fire.  This area has recent sightings of Marbled Godwits, Slender Milk Vetch, Loggerhead Shrike and Upland Sandpipers.The SNA Program was able to start a series of contracted woody removal projects at Swede’s Forest SNA.  Swede’s Forest is home to a large population of the rare five-lined skink.  The management being completed here is focused on removal of encroaching red cedar and invasive buckthorn, improving habitat not only for the five-lined skink but also for the multiple other wildlife species that call this site home.Additionally, SNA staff, with support of CCM, were able to conduct a 109 acre prescribed burn at Prairie Coteau SNA.  Prairie Coteau SNA is one of the most important and stunning prairies in southwestern Minnesota.  This prescribed burn helped improve habitat for grassland gamebird species found on the site in addition to the rare non-game species.It was difficult to assign an exact dollar figure to each person and each project.  What I did was take the total personnel budget, identify the ratio of FTE/years, and scale the personnel budget to that ratio.  I used the same approach on the parcel list.  I took the total budget and total acres, identified percentage of acres for each project relative to the acre total, and assigned the ratio of funds to that project. ",2011-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-restoration-and-enhancement-dnr-lands-phase-3,,,,
2536,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program, Phase 3",2012,9815000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(h)","$9,815,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to accelerate the acquisition of wetlands and grasslands to be added to the waterfowl production area system in Minnesota in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protect in Fee 465 acres of wetland and 1,802 acres of prairies",,5896500,"PF, FWS, Federal Operation Funds",9815000,,,9.37,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program accelerated the permanent protection of 2,267 acres of wetlands (465 acres) and grasslands (1,802 acres) as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting in Minnesota. Over the course of the appropriation, PF acquired 18 parcels for a total of 2,267 acres which exceeded our total acre goal of 2,250 acres by 17 acres. Breaking down acres by ecological section we exceeded our acre goal for both the metropolitan area by 61 acres and in the prairie area by 346 acres. We have exceeded anticipated match of $5,125,000 by $771,500. We have a balance of $88,200 that will be returned to the Fund despite exceeding our acre goals which demonstrates the high level of efficiency which Pheasants Forever operates at. In total, we under-spent on our budget, over delivered on acre goals, and over delivered on match leverage received.",,"Final ReportWorking in close collaboration with partners, Pheasants Forever acquired 2,267 acres of strategic habitat that builds onto existing protected lands and/or develops corridors for wildlife.  All lands acquired have been enrolled into the Federal Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) Program and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  We have worked together with federal, state and local partners when acquiring the 18 parcels which will now be celebrated as new WPAs.  These new WPAs not only provides access and recreational opportunities for all Minnesotans, but helps reduce erosion, improve water filtration, and provide quality habitat for many of Minnesota's non-game species.  The offers to the landowner were based on fair market values and appraisals.  The acquired parcels addressed a backlog of willing sellers that now are helping slow the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat in Minnesota.  Parcels were identified jointly with the USFWS, ranked, and prioritized on habitat goals and feasibility.  Pheasants Forever's methods are formed around the principle of accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area program in MN by targeting only the best available habitat with willing sellers.  We utilize local partner expertise to focus on building a system of interconnected wildlife complexes that create habitat mosaics.  We also utilize the latest geospatial layers to help determine factors such as: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of rare features and native habitat, and how these acquisitions fit into other priorities for our partners such as the MN Prairie Conservation Plan, the Pheasant Action Plan, or the State Wildlife Action Plan.  All parcels acquired were restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. The grassland restoration included using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetland restorations included using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. Scattered invasive tree removal and prescribed fire were used where appropriate to enhance existing grassland habitat after protection.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Avenue South","South Haven",MN,55382,612-532-3800,esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Blue Earth, Clay, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Murray, Otter Tail, Pope, Rice, Sibley, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-3,,,,
2540,"Accelerated Forest Habitat Enhancement, Phase 2",2012,826000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 3(c )","$826,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance lands in state forests, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 89.021.",,"Restored 24 acres and Enhanced 11,066 acres of Forest",,,,824400,10400,,0.03,"MN DNR","State Government","This program of on-the-ground conservation projects increased the wildlife and ecological values of forest communities on Minnesota's public forestlands. Restoration and enhancement projects in this program enhanced more than 10,000 acres of forest.",,"The projects in this program were designed to address the following management objectives:1.  Enhance forest communities by altering the plant species composition and/or structure.  These projects were accomplished by, for example, conducting hand release to enhance the growth of Northern red oak saplings and trees to increase mast available for wildlife, and meet the Forest Planning goal to FRMP goal of ""improving  the regeneration and increasing the presence of oak and pine across the landscape.""2.  Enhance brushland habitat by altering the plant species structure and/or composition.  Shearing projects were performed on lowland brush to set back succession in mature willow stands to improve cover and forage for deer and moose, and to enhance nesting and brood rearing habitat for a variety of game and non-game brushland dependent avian species. Perpetuation of the brushland component of the Aspen Parklands landscape helped to predispose these stands to future management with prescribed fire.This program worked to enhance oak regeneration and create a mix of young hardwood forest with more open meadow/brush lands to benefit grouse, elk, and deer.  Enhancement of conifer stands and mixed hardwood/conifer forests provided habitat for fisher and marten, and thermal cover for deer and moose. Shearing of trees and brush in large open landscape priority areas enhanced habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. Shearing and mowing of hardwoods and brush in smaller patches enhanced habitat for woodcock and deer.The program also enhanced habitat for a number of nongame species, including yellow rails, sandhill cranes, northern harriers, bobolinks, and sandpipers.  Activities that created/enhanced forest openings provided habitat for nongame species, including least chipmunks, northern flickers, coopers hawks, and song sparrows. Some of the less intensive timber management in our program helped protect rare native plant communities and a number of nongame species through retention and enhancement of plant species diversity and structure.",2011-07-20,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Bob,Welsh,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5169,bob.welsh@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hubbard, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Roseau, St. Louis, Stearns, Wadena, Winona","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-forest-habitat-enhancement-phase-2,,,,
35018,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Acquisition - Phase VII",2016,7620000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(a)","$7,620,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"263 Wetland acres, 1,221 Prairie acres, and 24 Forest acres (for a total of 1,508 acres) Protected in Fee without State PILT Liability. ",,4998400,"Federal, Private, PF  ",7589900,13100,,0.27,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the permanent protection of 900 acres of wetlands (225 acres) and grasslands (675 acres) as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting in Minnesota. ",,"Conversion of grassland and wetlands for other uses have not only contributed to many native species population declines, but also impacted water quality, groundwater recharge cycles, and natural flood cycles. Permanent acquisition and restoration of grasslands and wetlands is one of the major tools we have for reversing this trend. This seventh phase of the WPA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,506.35 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WPA’s managed by the USFWS. Pheasants Forever and USFWS staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel’s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools developed by the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET). These tools utilize Thunderstorm Maps to predict productivity of breeding waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife species for the potential parcel and surrounding area. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WPA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Pheasants Forever notified counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the UFWS will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located. Additionally, the USFWS will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch “plugs” and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors but we did not face any major issues. ",2015-07-01,2021-08-11,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carver, Douglas, Faribault, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Murray, Otter Tail, Stearns, Stevens, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-acquisition-phase-vii,,,,
35026,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase VII",2016,7452000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$7,452,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"749 Wetland acres, 1,318 Prairie acres, and 40 Forest acres (for a total of 2,107 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability,  ",,1518500,"Federal, PF, Private ",7440000,12000,,0.28,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the protection of 900 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. ",,"Conversion of grassland and wetlands for other uses have not only contributed to many native species population declines, but also impacted water quality, groundwater recharge cycles, and natural flood cycles. Permanent acquisition and restoration of grasslands and wetlands is one of the major tools we have for reversing this trend. This seventh phase of the WMA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 2,100.19 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WMA's. Due to our ability to partner with other conservation groups and agencies such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, we are able to bring leverage to the program and far exceed the goals of this phase. Pheasants Forever and MN DNR staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel’s ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among others. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch “plugs” and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work, there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues. ",2015-07-01,2021-08-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(320) 236-7755",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Carver, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Nobles, Pope, Rock, Stearns, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-vii-0,,,,
35038,"Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement - Phase VII",2016,2130000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(d)","$2,130,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes statewide. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"28,101 Wetland acres Enhanced. ",,,,1889400,77000,,4,DNR,"State Government","This proposal will address a backlog of shallow lake and wetland habitat work that will otherwise go unfunded. These projects will address work called for in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, Long Range Duck Recovery Plan, and Shallow Lakes plan. ",,"Engineering and construction of major shallow lake and wetland infrastructure includes work on water control structures, dikes, and fish barriers to improve wetland habitat management. Five major infrastructure projects were constructed with funding from this appropriation. The five (Carex Slough/Freeborn County, Mahlke Marsh/Lyon County, Hovland/Mahnomen County, Roseau River WMA Pool 2/Roseau County, and Staples/Todd County) all began with property manager submission of the projects into an annual Section of Wildlife project solicitation process. All projects undergo Regional and Central Office review, with wetland and shallow lake projects receiving additional review by Wetland Habitat Team members. Suitable projects are selected for inclusion in OHF proposals. Given the complexity of major wetland infrastructure projects, OHF project lists in Accomplishment Plans undergo continual adjustments based on engineering assessments, budget projections, and to seek efficient use of appropriation funds. Reflective of the expense often incurred in major wetland infrastructure projects, expenditures for these five projects accounted for 43% of the total expenditures for this appropriation. Four major shallow lake/wetland management actions were implemented to enhance habitat - Simon Lake Drawdown and Fish Treatment/Pope County, Raguet WMA Wetland Tree Removal/Carver County, a major wetland prescribed burn at Roseau River WMA/Roseau County, and a channel cleanout at Moose-Willow Flowage/Aitkin County. Both projects were initiated, reviewed and selected for inclusion in an OHF appropriation by the aforementioned process and both projects presented unique challenges that are typical of complex wetland projects. Water levels at Simon Lake were reduced by gravity drawdown as much as possible, then was supplemented by pumps. When reduced as much as practical, a private company was hired to apply rotenone to remove unwanted fish. Unfortunately, the private company quit only hours after beginning the rotenone application. In an amazing move, the DNR Shallow Lakes Program immediately began work to undertake the rotenone application in-house. One year after the private company quit the treatment, a highly coordinated operation involving DNR Shallow Lakes and Roving Habitat Crew staff successfully implemented the treatment. Follow up assessments reported a successful fish treatment and a subsequent improvement in habitat quality at Simon Lake. Tree removal at Raguet WMA in Carver proved challenging as well. Existence of a high quality fen in the project area prohibited the use of large equipment. Instead, cut trees were removed by pulling them offsite with cables and winches to protect the fen. The prescribed burn of a wetland occurred in August 2019 at Roseau River WMA and involved 7,350 acres. The project ""burn boss"" said the burn was done to set back brush encroachment and cattails in a sedge meadow. One month after the burn, significant rainfall at the site raised water levels and flooded the burned cattails. Thick beds of wild rice were reported in areas in which cattails had previously been dominant. Finally, a channel cleanout was conducted in the downsteam channel of the Moose- Willow Flowage in Aitkin County. Channels often become shallower as sediment is deposited. The shallow channels can be more conducive to growth of cattails. The double-whammy of shallower channels and cattails can result in higher water levels in upstream basins. The Moose-Willow Flowage had declined as habitat due to the described sedimentation and cattail growth. A specialized piece of equipment known as a Cookiecutter was utilized to cleanout the channel is what will be a two phase plan to improve Moose-Willow. Phase I was the channel cleanout. Phase II will see installation of a new water control structure. An exciting activity undertaken with this appropriation is the outfitting of a DNR helicopter with equipment to all annual spraying of invasive cattails. Credit for initiating this goes to DNR Pilot Brad Maas, who saw the potential to add spray equipment to an existing under-utilized helicopter. OHF funding was used for a capital equipment purchase of both a aerial spray unit and new avionics for the helicopter. This new equipment allows for annual spraying of approximately 2500 acres of invasive hybrid cattails. A standardized process has developed for the annual work. Early in the calendar year, the supervisor of all DNR Roving Habitat Crews puts out a call for potential cattail spray sites. The combined list of projects is mapped and projects to be treated are selected based on property manager ranking of needs and proximity of projects to each other and their statewide location. Helicopter landing sites are chosen and property managers are responsible for mowing the landing sites and proving proper public notice. Specially trained staff from Roving Habitat Crews are utilized as ground support for the helicopter. Thirty-five individual parcels were treated in the first year of utilizing the DNR helicopter. Prior to obtaining the ability to use the DNR helicopter to spray cattails, three parcels were sprayed by contracted companies, also with this appropriation. Direct comparison of these two spray methods (private company vs. DNR helicopter) shows that the DNR helicopter allows us to get this work done at less cost and with more control over the timing of the treatment and size of the treated areas. Funding from this appropriation was utilized for wetland enhancement work by two Roving Habitat Crews, the Region 3 crew based out of Vermillion and the Region 4 crew based out of Lac qui Parle. Wetland habitat enhancement conducted by Roving Habitat Crews can include tree removal from wetlands, small scale spraying of cattails and other invasive vegetation, seeding wild rice, conducting drawdowns, sediment removal from small wetland basins, and actual construction of small wetland infrastructure projects. Roving Habitat Crew Leaders are constantly receiving submissions from DNR property managers for potential habitat projects and develop priorities based on Department priorities and the need to address requirement imposed by funding rules. Thirty- two individual wetland enhancement projects were reported by the two Roving Habitat Crews. Of the 28,101 wetland acres impacted by this appropriation, the reported wetland enhancement work done by Roving Habitat Crews accounted for 11,056 acres at a cost of just over $35/acre. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5227",ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami, Big Stone, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Freeborn, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pope, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-vii,,,,
35045,"Accelerated Prairie Restoration and Enhancement on DNR Lands - Phase VII",2016,4880000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(k)","$4,880,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairie communities on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, state forest land, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",," 1,152 Prairie acres Restored.  22,195 Prairie acres Enhanced.  Total of 23,347 Prairie acres affected. ",,,,4534500,297400,,19.95,DNR,"State Government","We propose restoration and enhancement of prairie and savanna on WMA’s, SNA’s, and Native Prairie Banks in Minnesota and restoration and enhancement of bluff prairies on State Forest Land in southeast Minnesota. ",,"We select projects using a number of criteria and reviews to make sure the DNR was spending these funds in the best and most productive ways. We can summarize our results in the following table. Project Type # sites Total Acres Interseeding 32 416 Invasive Species Control 33 1,058 Prescribed Fire 196 13,382 Prescribed Grazing 5 531 Woody Removal 166 6,808 Prairie Restoration 46 1,152 This appropriation involved the Roving Crews. These Crews allow the DNR to be very flexible. While they have a list of projects to work on, they can also respond fairly quickly if there's an enhancement opportunity shows up. For instance, a short dry period in a part of the state may allow them to conduct a late summer prescribed fire which was not in any of the original work plans. Roving Crews have begun experimenting with different burn seasons. Typically, we burn in the spring before the nesting season. However, this can stimulate the warm-season grasses and begin to crowd out forbs, lowering plant diversity. Burning in the late summer, after birds have fledged but with enough time for some late summer regrowth, has shown to increase both plant diversity as well as structural diversity in the habitat. Just as important, it can knock back the dominant grasses such as big bluestem and Indian grass just enough for forbs to express themselves the following year. Although 23,247 acres appears to be a large number, we feel the actual acres benefitted may be much larger. For instance, we know nest predation of grassland birds is higher near woody vegetation and some birds just won't nest near woody veg. By removing trees, we are impacting both the footprint of where those trees were but also the surrounding grassland where nest success should now be higher. Esthetically, it creates a more open landscape visually which is usually appreciated by grassland enthusiasts. Especially when near ungrazed grassland, grazing can have larger benefits. Birds used grazed areas primarily during the summer when birds are young. Having ungrazed grassland, good nesting cover, next to grazed grassland, good brood rearing cover, should increase overall number of birds that survive into the fall. I have personally visited a number of public lands grazing sites in western Minnesota and have always been impressed with what I've seen. Although grazing is a summer activity, I've flushed a number of birds, both pheasants and songbirds, from these areas in the fall. Often the biggest benefit to grazing comes in the first couple years after grazing as the habitat is regrowing. Although there is still much to learn, we have learned a lot in recent years about restoration techniques. We still use several methods for restoring prairie and there's probably no one perfect way of doing it. It's very clear to even someone without botanical training when they are walking through a recent restoration and an older restoration. Even if they can't identify every plant, the diversity people see is striking. This in comparison to older restorations which are strongly dominated by only a couple species of grasses. The DNR has traditionally focused on game species such as pheasants. However, there is more and more interest in pollinators and biodiversity. Fortunately, just about every study out there shows that management and restoration for pollinators and songbirds often creates the best habitat for game species. Diverse, healthy, productive habitat is good for a wide range of species. As we continue to use these funds, costs for projects will probably increase. In the early years of these funds, we completed a number of simpler or easier projects, the low-hanging fruit. Now we are left with the larger and more challenging projects. While they are good habitat projects, they will probably increase in costs over time. In our budget table, we prorated our budget for individual projects by the acres accomplished. Staff funding was combined into one value. Identifying funding for each position would be an accounting challenge. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-08,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"DNR Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerated-prairie-restoration-and-enhancement-dnr-lands-phase-vii,,,,
10033374,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase XIV",2023,5537000,"ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(a)","$5,537,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan",,,3644200,"PF, Federal and Private",5515300,21700,,0.2,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase XIV proposal permanently protects and restores 9058 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions. Acquired properties will be restored to the highest extent possible with regard to time and budgets.","Wetland and grassland habitat in Minnesota have been declining for decades. Currently over 90% of wetland and 99% of grassland habitats have been converted to other uses. This proposal works to slow this decline by acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitat as permanently protected WPA?s. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50 years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). Additionally, hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing public access. This thirteenth phase of the WPA acceleration program provides public access and builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous twelve phases of this effort. Properties will be identified by using landscape level planning tools such as USFWS? Duck Breeding Density Maps, as well as MN DNR natural heritage data and numerous state level conservation plans. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. To address concerns related to county tax revenues due to acquiring public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch ?plugs,"" breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for the establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-cleanup, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2022-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever, Inc."," ",,MN,56360,,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Rice, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-xiv,,,,
10033375,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase XIV",2023,5660000,"ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(a)","$5,660,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05,subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and the Minnesota Pheasant Action Plan 2020-2023. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and the Minnesota Pheasant Action Plan 2020-2023. Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and the Minnesota Pheasant Action Plan 2020-2023",,,1178100,"PF, Federal and Private",5638300,21700,,0.19,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This proposal accelerates the protection and restoration of 911 acres of prairie grasslands, associated wetlands and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to the public. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be permanently protecting parcels within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions. These acquired properties will be restored to the highest quality wildlife habitat feasible and transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included into the WMA system.","This proposal represents the fourteenth phase in Pheasants Forever's Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area program. This program continues to build upon past investments in long-term upland and wetland conservation. The proposal will protect and restore 911 acres of lands that will be managed for wildlife. The goals of this program specifically address goals outlined in the foundational documents for the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council's recommendation process, including those outlined in the MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan 2008, the MN Duck Action Plan 2020-2023, the MN Pheasant Action Plan 2020-2023 and the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan 2010, among others. Parcels will be acquired from willing sellers and will be prioritized using criteria used by MN DNR (Minnesota Wildlife Management Areas - The Next 50 Years) which include location on the landscape, breeding waterfowl density, restoration potential, native community protection (e.g. Minnesota Biological Survey site), proximity to other investments in perpetually protected habitats. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff. All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal. In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria are used to develop the potential project list including: 1) Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations? 2) Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape scale significance)? 3) Does the parcel contain significant natural communities, or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities? 4) Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future? 5) Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, wellhead protection, riparian protection, local community support, etc.)? Providing quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored to the highest quality wildlife habitat feasible. Completing high-quality, comprehensive restorations, utilizing native species and best management practices, results in fewer management concerns and lower long-term costs. Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands habitat, drained wetlands will be restored, and invasive trees will be removed when appropriate.",,2022-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever, Inc."," ",,MN,,,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Watonwan, Wilkin, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-xiv,,,,
10033882,"Accelerating the USFWS Habitat Conservation Easement Program - Phase IV",2024,5077000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(g)","$5,077,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance wetland and prairie habitat on habitat easements of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as follows: $3,391,000 to Ducks Unlimited and $1,686,000 to Pheasants Forever. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - USFWS habitat easements will add restored and protected grassland and small wetland acres to augment existing public lands and other permanent easements to create prairie-wetland complexes with a more diverse mix of habitats and conservation options for private landowners. The measure of success will be the number of functioning prairie wetland complexes that provide adequate wetland and grassland acres within a landscape. This is a long-term, programmatic landscape conservation effort that will take time to achieve. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected - This outcome will be measured by the sheer number of expiring CRP acres that will be protected through USFWS easements, and the protected grassland and wetland habitat that will not be subject to future conversion to intensive row crop agriculture. By offering private landowners a working lands conservation easement option, landowners in need of an annual income stream from their land will be incentivized to keep grasslands intact and restore wetlands",,,1100000,"USFWS In-kind staff and USFWS Migratory Bird Conservation Funds",5021000,56000,,1.15,"DU and PF","Non-Profit Business/Entity","DU and PF will help accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements by restoring and enhancing 1,900 acres of protected private grasslands and wetlands in Minnesota's Prairie and Transition Sections. These are ""working lands"" under permanent federal conservation easements that allow delayed haying and/or grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife. By restoring and enhancing protected grassland and wetland habitat while allowing for continued landowner use of these working private lands, USFWS habitat easements buffer existing protected lands and provide important conservation easement options that complement more restrictive easements and public lands.","Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Pheasants Forever (PF) will restore and enhance wetlands and prairie on private lands protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Minnesota through federal USFWS grassland habitat conservation easement. DU and PF will restore drained wetlands and cropland back to prairie grassland, and enhance existing habitats. USFWS currently has robust Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (MBCF) budgets to purchase habitat conservation easements, but these funds cannot be used to restore or enhance lands protected. By restoring grasslands and wetlands for USFWS with OHF support, DU and PF will effectively accelerate the rate at which USFWS can protect grassland and wetlands in key focus landscapes in which there are also many state and federal wildlife lands owned and managed in fee-title, and other lands protected by more restrictive conservation easements. These are some of the most productive landscapes in the state for breeding waterfowl and other prairie wildlife including pheasants, and these private working land conservation easements complement other federal, state, and private conservation easement options available to landowners. USFWS habitat conservation easements not only include protection measures that prevent wetland/prairie conversion and land development/subdivision, but importantly, they also secure rights to restore wetlands and prairie grassland where feasible too - which is the primary purpose of this OHF easement program. DU and PF will restore and enhance private lands eased by USFWS in partnership with the USFWS with technical guidance from their private lands biologists and using private contractors to seed native prairie grass, remove trees, and restore wetlands. DU engineers will survey/design larger complex wetland restorations, and manage restoration contracts to private earth-moving firms. Importantly, as some of these ""working private land"" easements allow managed livestock grazing, some restoration and enhancement work will include paying contractors to remove old fences and install new fences to facilitate managed rotational grazing systems that protect grassland and wetlands habitats while improving wildlife habitat cover by limiting trees and invasive plants and providing landowners with the opportunity to actively manage/maintain their land. USFWS ""Habitat Easements"" have been purchased here for over three decades, and are designed as a habitat protection conservation tool to complement public lands habitat complexes such as federal Waterfowl Production Areas and state Wildlife Management Areas, by keeping privately owned restored grassland and wetland habitat intact and on county tax rolls while allowing for working use of the land. These easements provide landowners with the option of either delayed haying (after July 15) or both grazing and delayed haying, which results in adequate habitat for wetland and upland nesting birds and a working land use option that appeals to some private landowners. Importantly, these working land easements also help manage plant succession on their land, which is critical to prevent the encroachment of volunteer trees and invasive plant species. Well-managed grazing, delayed haying, and USFWS prescribed fire also benefits those grassland bird species that prefer more open prairie habitats, such as northern pintail, marbled godwit, snipe, and many other prairie species.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Logan,Shoup,"Ducks Unlimited, Inc.","Ducks Unlimited, Inc., c/o USFWS 18965 County Highway 82","Fergus Falls",MN,56537,218-446-8851,lshoup@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-usfws-habitat-conservation-easement-program-phase-iv,,,,
10033967,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Acquisition Program - Phase XIV",2024,5231000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(d)","$5,231,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan",,,3958400,"PF, PF, Federal and Private",5209000,22000,,1.07,PF,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase XV proposal permanently protects and restores 678 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in Minnesota. Pheasants Forever (PF) will acquire parcels that are adjacent to existing public land or create corridors between complexes. All acquisitions will occur in the prairie, prairie/forest transition, or metro regions. Acquired properties will be restored to the highest extent possible with regard to time and budgets.","Wetland and grassland habitat in Minnesota have been declining for decades. Currently over 90% of wetland and 99% of grassland habitats have been converted to other uses. This proposal works to slow this decline by acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitat as permanently protected WPA's. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners have been employing this strategy for over 50 years through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). Additionally, hunting and fishing stakeholders are very interested in increasing public access. This fifteenth phase of the WPA acceleration program provides public access and builds upon past work of the USFWS SWAP as well as the previous fourteen phases of this effort. Properties will be identified by using landscape level planning tools such as USFWS' Duck Breeding Density Maps, as well as MN DNR natural heritage data and numerous state level conservation plans. In addition to wildlife benefits, the lands acquired and restored through this grant will provide improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood abatement benefits. These strategies are well tested and are supported by the greater conservation community in Minnesota. To address concerns related to county tax revenues due to acquiring public land, the USFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (called a Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. All wetlands, on the properties acquired, will be restored by either surface ditch ""plugs,"" breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Grasslands will be restored by planting site-appropriate native grasses and forbs following known best practices for the establishment. Grassland restoration on individual tracts may take three to five years, involving one to two years of post-acquisition farming to prepare the site for seeding (e.g. weed management issues, chemical carryover, other site-specific issues). Other restoration activities could include invasive tree removal, building site-clean-up, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat and public access to the citizens of Minnesota.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Steves Rd SE Box 91",Osakis,MN,56360,320-236-7755,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Mahnomen, Meeker, Murray, Otter Tail, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-acquisition-program-phase-xiv-1,,,,
10035222,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase XVI",2025,7020000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(d)","$7,020,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Acquired parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl and SGCN. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for resident and migratory waterfowl. Lands will be transferred to the USFWS as a WPA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by the USFWS. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in each WMD Comprehensive Plan which rolls up to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan",,,2382400,"PF, PF, Federal and Private",6983900,36100,,0.44,PF,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","In this phase of the Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area program, Pheasants Forever (PF) seeks to permanently protect and restore parcels of land as Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in the prairie, prairie forest transition, and metro regions of Minnesota. Acquired parcels will be either adjacent to or between existing public lands to create larger complexes or corridors for a variety of wildlife species. These properties will be restored to their greatest potential habitat possible with regard to time and budget constraints.","Loss and degradation of grasslands and wetlands pose a severe threat to the future of Minnesota's flora and fauna. Over 90% of wetland and 99% of grassland habitats have been converted to other uses, primarily those surrounding agricultural and urban development. This habitat loss significantly reduces wildlife populations abilities to increase or remain stable in the face of multiple stressors including climate change, pressure from invasive species, etc. This proposal works to slow habitat decline by acquiring and restoring previously converted wetland and grassland habitats into WPA's that are open to public recreation. This program continually builds on prior phases and augments current efforts by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and their partners to increase waterfowl populations through the Small Wetlands Acquisition Program (SWAP). By improving wetland quality, quantity, and public access this program provides multiple benefits to Minnesotans. Potential properties will be identified and evaluated based on landscape level planning tools such as the USFWS Duck Breeding Density Maps, MN DNR natural heritage data, and other state level conservation plans. Once purchased, all wetlands will be restored by either surface ditch ""plugs,"" breaking sub-surface tile lines, or other best practices for wetland restoration. Restoration of grasslands will be completed using site-appropriate native grasses and forbs while following best management practices. Quality grassland restoration results typically take three to five years, allowing for one to two years of post-acquisition farming to allow residual herbicides to leave the soil. This timing allows us to address weed management issues, chemical carryover, and any other site-specific issues that may prevent the site from being restored to its fullest potential. Other restoration activities that may be needed include invasive tree removal, building site clean-up, prescribed fire, etc. as necessary to provide high-quality habitat. All restoration work will be completed to the highest possible standards with considerations towards budgets and grant timelines. To address concerns related to county tax revenues due to acquiring public land, the UFWS and PF will notify counties prior to the acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time payment (Trust Fund payment) to the county where the property is located. In addition, the USFWS will make annual refuge revenue sharing payments for all fee lands within their respective counties.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever, Inc","14241 Steves Rd SE ",Osakis,MN,56360,320-250-6317,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Cottonwood, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Mahnomen, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Wilkin, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-xvi,,,,
10006476,"Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Program - Phase X",2019,5061000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(a)","$5,061,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"The majority of the acquisitions in this program are located in the Prairie Pothole Region which is not only the richest wetland system on earth but also produces approximately one-third of the continents waterfowl population. In addition to supporting waterfowl, this region supports numerous grassland and wetland dependent wildlife species, many of which are experiencing severe population declines due to habitat loss. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant. Additionally SGCN and T/E were considered when the parcels were evaluated for acquisition. Parcels with these species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. Species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail.","A total of 1,150 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 1,150 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",2976200,"Federal, Private, Federal, Private, PF and Private attorney",5013100,10400,,0.13,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The goal of this phase of the WPA acquisition program was to protect a total of 915 acres of grassland, wetland and other wildlife habitats as Waterfowl Production Areas open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever purchased 10 parcels totaling 1,150.27 acres of wetlands and grasslands in Minnesota's prairie region. In addition to exceeding our acre goals, $ 37,512.95 of grant funds will be returned.","Conversion of grasslands and wetlands for other uses have not only contributed to many native species population declines, but also impacted water quality, groundwater recharge cycles, and natural flood cycles. Permanent acquisition and restoration of grasslands and wetlands is one of the major tools we have for reversing this trend. This phase of the WPA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,150.27 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WPA's managed by the USFWS. Pheasants Forever and USFWS staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel's ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools developed by the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET). These tools utilize Thunderstorm Maps to predict productivity of breeding waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife species for the potential parcel and surrounding area. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WPA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Pheasants Forever notified counties prior to acquisition of lands. Once acquired, the USFWS will make a one-time Trust Fund payment to the County where the property is located. Additionally, the USFWS will make annual Refuge Revenue Sharing payments for all fee lands within the respective counties. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ""plugs"" and/or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors but we did not face any major issues.",,2018-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever, Inc."," ",,MN,,,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Meeker, Otter Tail, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-waterfowl-production-area-program-phase-x,,,,
10000076,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase IX",2018,5603000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(b)","$5,603,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"A majority of the acquisitions in this program add to existing WMA habitat complexes which are strongholds for many species of wildlife including SGCN and T/E species. Increasing the size of these complexes improve the landscapes ability to support larger populations and provide connectivity between patches of habitat. All parcels are located in the Prairie Pothole Region which boasts the richest wetland system on earth and produces approximately one-third of the continents waterfowl population. The parcels acquired and restored as part of this phase add to the quantity and quality of grasslands and wetlands that are available to species such as mallards, black terns, bobolinks, meadowlarks, and the ring-necked pheasant. Additionally SGCN and T/E were considered when the parcels were evaluated for acquisition. Parcels with these species were ranked more favorably than parcels without. Species of concern that will benefit from these projects include the greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl, marsh hawk and yellow rail.","A total of 1,182 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 1,182 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",972200,"Federal, Private and PF",5574100,8200,,0.13,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This phase of WMA acquisition protected 1,182.25 acres of prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitat as State Wildlife Management Areas open to public hunting. With these 9 acquisition we have exceeded our planned acres of 1012 by more than 170 acres. All of the acquired properties had wildlife habitat restored to the highest quality possible. ","Loss of wetland and grassland habitat has contributed tot he decline of native populations of flora and fauna, negatively impacted water quality, groundwater recharge and natural flood cycles. To reverse this trend, PF works to permanently protect and restore these wetland-grassland complexes. This eighth phase of the WMA acceleration program acquired and restored a total of 1,182.25 acres of grasslands and wetland habitat as permanently protected WMA's. Due to our ability to partner with other conservation groups and agencies such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, we are able to bring leverage to the program and far exceed the goals of this phase. Pheasants Forever and MN DNR staff collaborated to generate a list of parcels with landowners who had the desire to sell. The parcel's ecological impact was evaluated using landscape level planning tools such USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET), The MN Prairie Conservation Plan and The Pheasant Action Plan among others. By utilizing these tools, we were able to focus efforts in areas where acquisitions and restorations will make the greatest impact on the landscape and thus these additional acres of WMA are very beneficial to wildlife and public recreation. Once acquired, wetlands on each parcel were restored by installing surface ditch ""plugs"" and or breaking subsurface tile. Some wetlands may also have had sediment removed to create proper substrates for wetland function and vegetative growth. Grasslands were restored by planting a high-diversity native seed mix of grasses and forbs that are regionally appropriate to the area. As with all restoration work, there are challenges that come from weather and working with private contractors, but we did not face any major issues. ",,2017-07-01,2023-01-11,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever, Inc."," ",,MN,,,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Chippewa, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, McLeod, Nobles, Sibley, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-ix,,,,
10011391,"Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program - Phase XI",2020,6060000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(b)","$6,060,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN""..Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN"".ds..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Strategic parcels that increase the functionality of existing habitat will be acquired and restored to functioning wetlands with diverse upland prairie to serve as habitat for pollinators, resident and migratory game and non-game species. Lands will be transferred to the state as a WMA to provide accelerated wildlife habitat and public access, monitored by Minnesota DNR. Protected and restored acres will be measured against goals outlined in the ""Minnesota's Wildlife Management Area Acquisition - The Next 50 Years"" and ""the Long Range Plan for the Ring-Necked Pheasant in MN""..",,,215000,"PF, Federal, Private",6048600,11400,,0.154,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This programmatic proposal accelerates the protection and restoration of 1,073 acres of strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife habitats as State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) open to public hunting. Pheasants Forever (PF) will be protecting parcels that build onto or create a corridor between existing protected lands which will be transferred to the MN Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to be included as a WMA. All acquisitions will occur within the prairie, prairie/forest transition, and metro planning regions. These areas have seen the greatest decline in upland and wetland habitats.","Pressures from development, industry, and agriculture continue to mount on wildlife habitat within the farmland regions of Minnesota. Despite our collective investments in conservation, many of the agricultural counties in Minnesota are continuing to experience a net loss of wildlife habitat. This unfortunate reality is exacerbated by the conversion of lands expiring out of CRP. In the next five years, Minnesota's agricultural landscape is set to experience a loss of 549,185 acres due to expiration out of CRP. In 2018 alone MN will lose 201,294 acres of CRP that are set to expire. This equates to roughly a 20% loss of our grassland habitat necessary for pheasants, ducks, and the suite of grassland species that call Minnesota home. Now, more than ever, is the time to accelerate our investments in permanently protected high-quality habitat complexes that will protect, sustain, and increase Minnesota’s wildlife populations. Providing public habitat for Minnesotans to hunt, trap, fish and otherwise recreate in the outdoors are urgent needs for Minnesota's growing citizenry. Access to the outdoors is fundamental to ensuring Minnesota’s outdoor heritage is passed on to future generations.PF and our partners will protect (fee acquisition from willing sellers) 1,073 acres of high priority grassland (native prairie if available), wetland, and wildlife habitat as WMAs throughout the pheasant range of Minnesota. PF is striving to protect strategic tracts that build landscape level habitat complexes. Many of the potential projects are additions to existing WMAs which were originally acquired in partnership with MNDNR, local PF chapters, and conservation partners. Projects were developed and selected in conjunction with local and regional DNR staff. All projects will meet standards and requirements for inclusion into the WMA system and DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal. In addition to meeting the minimum WMA standards, additional criteria are used to develop the potential project list including:  Does the parcel contain habitat restoration potential that will result in an increase in wildlife populations?  Does the parcel build upon existing investments in public and private land habitat (landscape scale significance)? Does the parcel contain significant natural communities or will it protect or buffer significant natural communities?  Does the parcel have the potential and focus for habitat protection and restoration in the future?  Does the parcel provide multiple benefits (recreation, access, water control, water quality, wellhead protection, riparian protection, local community support, etc.)? Providing high-quality habitat and keeping future management concerns in mind, all acquisitions will be restored and/or enhanced to as high quality as practicable, with the belief that quality and comprehensive restorations utilizing native species result in lower management costs. Acquired croplands will be permanently retired and restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands habitat. Restorations will also consider the needs of the monarch butterfly and native prairie.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","410 Lincoln Ave S PO Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(3202367755) -",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Washington, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/accelerating-wildlife-management-area-program-phase-xi,,,,
10031461,"Acquisition of State Park Inholdings",2025,1886000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 09c","$1,886,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota to complete efficient, time-sensitive acquisitions of high-priority state park inholdings from willing sellers, deconstruct buildings and reuse building materials, and convey properties to the state to protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and public recreation opportunities. This appropriation may not be used to purchase habitable residential structures.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,1.56,"Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Complete efficient, time-sensitive acquisition of high priority State Park inholdings, conduct needed site cleanup, and convey the properties to the state to enhance Minnesota's environment and public recreation opportunities.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-09-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Brett,Feldman,"Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota","275 East Fourth Street, Suite 250","Saint Paul",MN,55101,"(651) 370-7900",bfeldman@parksandtrails.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/acquisition-state-park-inholdings,,,,
10000077,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase V",2018,1130000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(j)","$1,130,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands in Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Morrison, and Stearns Counties as follows: $41,000 is to Anoka Conservation District; $231,000 is to Isanti County Soil and Water Conservation District; $345,000 is to Great River Greening; and $163,000 is to Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District; and $350,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust of which up to $40,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Many of our completed sites are ranked highly for having examples of high quality natural communities and concentrations of rare species, as mapped by the Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS). The ASP project boundary is known to provide home to some 115 state-listed plants and animals, the most diverse ecological subsection (in terms of rare species) in the state, and we are compelled to ensure the long-term viability of habitat for SGCN. This work provided a major step in that direction. Completed projects by category are: PRISTINE HABITATS 1. Gordie Mikkelson WMA (ACD): Enhanced 82 acres of wetland and forest of high biodiversity significance as mapped by MBS. 2. Medvecky Woods 1 (ISWCD). Enhanced 10 acres of MBS ranked wetland with high concentration of rare species, on Cedar Creek. MINNESOTA WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (WAP) PRIORITY HABITATS (PRAIRIE, SAVANNA, NON-FORESTED WETLAND) 3. Carlos Avery WMA (GRG): Enhanced 33 acres of oak savanna. 4. Blaine Wetland Sanctuary South (GRG): Enhanced 132 acres of shallow peat basin wetland, with state-listed Threatened and Endangered species. 5. Robert and Marilyn Burman WMA (MLT). Enhanced an additional nine acres of habitat core. 6. Vegsund Family County Park (ISWCD): Enhanced 10 acres of wetland. 7. Becklin Homestead County Park (ISWCD): Enhanced six acres of prairie in the Rum River corridor. THREATENED WILD & SCENIC RIVER STREAMBANK 8. High Meadows Rum River Re-Meander (ISWCD): Reconnected main channel aquatic and shoreline habitat by blocking man-made shortcut. 9. Mississippi River Streambank (StSWCD): Restored 600 feet of major river streambank using high habitat value toe-wood design. PRIORITY HABITATS 10. Conservation Easement (MLT): A total of 267 acres and 1.27 shoreland miles were permanently protected through conservation easement: a)Tamarack Lake (Hanon Trust): A 101-acre project consisting of low-lying wetland complex surrounding 5,500 feet of shoreland. b)Barrett Hill (Barrett Farm LLC): A150-acre woodland (86 acres with ASP5) and 1,202 feet of shoreline project located within a Site of Moderate Biodiversity Significance. c)Sunrise River (Great River Energy, fully donated): An 80-acre property consisting of a diverse wetland complex, within a Site of Outstanding Biodiversity Significance, adjacent to Carlos Avery WMA","A total of 606 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 267 in Easements, 339 in Enhance.",186200,"ACD, ACD, NWTF, City of Blaine, DNR, Volunteers, ENRTF, Isanti County, DNR, Landowners, NWTF and Stearns County",1111700,17200,,0.48,"Anoka Conservation District; Isanti County SWCD; Great River Greening;Stearns County SWCD; Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Great River Greening (GRG), Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Isanti SWCD (ISWCD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Stearns SWCD (StSWCD) enhanced 339 acres, equaling 137% of the stated goal of 247 acres, and 0.12 miles of shoreline. Further, MLT permanently protected 86 forest and 181 wetland acres, equaling 334% of the stated goal of 80 acres, and 1.67 miles of shoreline through conservation easement. Enhancement and protection were completed across three LSOHC subsections on mapped sites ranked highly by Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS), on Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) priority habitats, threatened habitat, and in habitat cores and corridors.","The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership includes government units and non-profit organizations working to protect, enhance, and restore lands and waters within the Anoka Sand Plain Project Habitat Conservation boundary, which includes the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Anoka Sand Plain Ecoregion plus intersecting minor watersheds. Our work is guided by the processes and goals outlined in the partnership's 10-year strategic plan at www.greatrivergreening.org/anoka-sand-plain-details. With this appropriation, five ASP Partnership organizations were direct recipients and worked closely together and with input from additonal ASP partner organizations to protect, restore, and enhance priority habitats on state and local government land, public water, and private holdings. A sixth ASP partner, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), contributed cash match. Problems Addressed Wildlife and rare plant habitat in the ASP is impacted by numerous threats, resulting in an urgent need for action: 1. Native habitats have become rare and continue to be lost. Oak savanna and prairie - the characteristic habitat of the Anoka Sand Plain - now persist over ",,2017-07-01,2022-12-06,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Street, Suite 2200 Suite 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 665-9500",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Isanti, Stearns","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-conservation-phase-v,,,,
811,"Anoka Sand Plain Restoration and Enhancement",2011,747000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(f)","$747,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to restore and enhance habitat on public property in the Anoka Sand Plain in Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Benton, Washington, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b).",,"Restored and Enhanced 4,179 acres of prairie and Forest",,,,747000,,,0.25,"Great River Greening","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will harness the expertise, resources, and connections of a broad community of committed conservation stakeholders to significantly elevate restoration and enhancement of oak savannas (Minnesota's most critically imperiled habitat), woodlands and forests on public lands across the region. Through funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and an array of other sources (real and in-kind) we will restore and enhance over 1700 acres of oak savanna, prairie, and oak woodland habitat across 11 priority sites, including: ? State WMAs (5 sites; 485 acres): Carlos Avery, Lamprey Pass, Rice Area Sportsman Club, Sand Prairie, and Becklin Homestead WMA ? State SNAs (3 sites; 135 acres): Clear Lake, Uncas Dunes, and Harry W. Cater ? Cedar Creek Ecological Science Reserve, University of Minnesota (600 acres) ? Sherburne NWR (500 acres) ? Isanti County Parks (1 site; 20 acres): Springvale County Park ","What is the problem or opportunity being addressed? The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) has been home to an array of storied conservation successes over the past century; however, the future of wildlife in the region is far from assured. Major challenges to long-term conservation success exist and there is a pronounced urgency to act now: While there has been a tremendous loss of native habitat in the ASP, there are also major opportunities to benefit wildlife through expedited restoration and enhancement of existing public lands. Public land managers over the past decades have made good investments of time and resources, but all are facing serious funding shortages. None of our partners have reached their restoration and enhancement goals despite the range of efforts over many years. As the Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Partnership (ASP Habitat Partnership or Partnership), we acknowledge this habitat work has to be an ongoing effort, one that is far more integrated and collaborative than what has been done in the past. Principle problems being addressed through this proposal are: Critical Imperilment of Habitat and Associated Species - Wildlife habitats of the Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) are critically imperiled, with oak savanna being the single most imperiled ecological system in Minnesota. These habitats are identified in the State Wildlife Action Plan (CWCP) and Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan as conservation priorities. Habitat loss and degradation has had profound impacts on the wildlife of the ASP; some 97 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the state are known or predicted to occur within the ASP. This decline in habitat has had major impacts on game species. Major Threats & Pressures Requiring Urgent Action - Invasive species, coupled with lack of prescribed fire and other basic management/restoration practices have resulted in declines in value of public lands as wildlife habitat over time. Minnesota's CWCP identifies maintenance, enhancement and protection of oak savannas as its first priority for this ecological subsection. The ASP is among the fastest growing areas in the state. Urban sprawl is placing immense pressure on remaining natural resources and threatening existing protected areas. As the Metro grows, wildlife habitat in the ASP will face elevated pressures, accentuating the importance of enhanced habitat management on existing public lands. Increased Cost of Management Actions as Habitats Decline - Inadequate funding for restoration/management activities on public lands has resulted in general declines in the condition of Minnesota's most imperiled habitats, and their value as wildlife habitat. Costs to restore these habitats rise every year that management is delayed. How will this directly relate to restoring, protecting, or enhancing habitat? Beginning in FY2011 and over 3-year duration, the Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Partnership will restore and enhance over 1700 acres of oak savanna, oak woodland and prairie habitat occurring on public lands in the project area. Activities will take place principally on State WMAs and SNAs, but also on other public lands as detailed below. Our actions will result in: ? elimination of invasive plants (trees, shrubs and forbs) over 549 acres of oak savanna and oak woodland habitats; ? seeding/planting of 635 acres of oak savanna habitat; ? seeding of 16 acres of oak woodland habitat; and ? prescribed fire over 1,135 acres of oak savanna habitat. These actions will benefit a broad suite of native species that require high-quality oak savanna, prairie, and oak woodland habitats: ? SGCN (direct impact on 35 species): bobolink, gopher snake, American badger, etc. ? Native song birds, mammals, herps and others ? Game species: white-tailed deer, pheasant, turkey, ruffed grouse, and small-game animals (squirrel, rabbits, fur-bearers, etc.) and waterfowl (upland nesting habitat). Due to funding limitations, several sites initially proposed for funding were dropped from consideration. Decisions as to which proposed sites would be funded were based on the following criteria: 1. Land Ownership ? We gave high preference to state-owned lands over federal and county lands in the following order: ? State (highest) ? University or Other Semi-State ? County ? Federal (lowest) 2. Other Mitigating Factors ? Several additional important factors were considered when refining the action list, including: ? Presence of MCBS quality ecological system(s); SGCN/T&E species ? Size of habitat block/managed area ? Presence within habitat corridors ? Adjacency (i.e., location relative to other public lands or large habitat blocks) ? Immediacy of need/action as determined by MCBS. Weight = High; These mitigating factors had the result of elevating a site like Sherburne NWR (although federal) above state-owned, isolated and lower quality sites. The impact of this large federal land-holding on maintaining large, viable populations of wildlife on adjacent state-owned lands like Uncas Dunes SNA, Rice Lake SNA and Sand Dunes State Forest strongly influenced our decision to retain funding for this project. 3. Funding the Whole Package of Proposed Activities at a Site ? The final list of sites reflects our keen desire to fully complete all proposed activities at a given site rather than working at a broader suite of sites but completing partial restorations or enhancements. Biologically this made most sense. In addition, we felt this would be far less confusing to the LSOHC when we return for a subsequent proposal. Because of this, several high-quality sites that otherwise ranked highly in factors 1 and 2 above were moved off of the active project list. Tier 1 Action Sites Listed below are each of the sites proposed for action in this accomplishment plan, along with a short summary of their ecological importance, proposed activities, and timeline. We also include a list of Tier 2 sites (those initially proposed for action but pulled due to insufficient funding). As additional funds become available, we propose to expand the list of Tier 1 sites through the inclusion of current Tier 2 sites along with a reallocation of LSOHC funds as appropriate. Uncas Dunes SNA (Sherburne County) ? Uncas Dunes SNA contains a relict dunefield and includes oak savanna, oak forest, and wetland habitats. The rare Uncas skipper gives this site its name; this is one of only two sites in the state where this species has been found. Actions: Restoration of 70 acres of oak savanna habitat through removal of invasive trees/shrubs and regenerating pine, planting of old fields and disturbed areas with native seed collected onsite (followed by post-seeding management over two years), and prescribed fire. The restoration project will be led by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR SNA Program and DNR Forestry. Portions of the work (harvesting of pine plantation, etc.) will be subcontracted to a private consultant specializing in that area of work. Portions of the project will be performed by volunteers as a way to connect the local community to this important land. Restoration will begin in FY 2011 and continue through 2013. Clear Lake SNA (Sherburne County) ? Clear Lake SNA has the distinction of being the first land parcel acquired under the State Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. It contains a mosaic of oak forest, floodplain forest, and old field sumac thicket, along with a small population of the very rare Hill's thistle. Actions: A first phase of oak savanna restoration on 50 acres through woody invasive species control and prescribed fire (to be followed upon by seeding and restoration management in a future proposal). The restoration project will be led by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR SNA Program. Portions of the work may be subcontracted to MCC or a private contractor. Portions of the project will be performed by volunteers as a way to connect the local community to this important land. Restoration will begin in FY2011 and continue through FY2013. Harry W. Cater Homestead SNA (Sherburne County) ? Located on a sandy terrace of the Elk River, this SNA is dominated by dry, upland oak savanna, mesic and wet-mesic prairie openings in aspen groves, floodplain forest along the Elk River, wet meadow and marsh on peat. Actions: Restoration of 15 acres of oak savanna habitat through removal of invasive trees/shrubs and use of prescribed fire. The restoration project will be led by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR SNA Program. Portions of the work may be subcontracted to MCC or a private contractor. Portions of the project will be performed by volunteers as a way to connect the local community to this important land. Restoration will begin in 2010 and continue into 2013. Lamprey Pass WMA (Anoka and Washington counties) ? Lamprey Pass is the largest WMA outside of Carlos Avery in the North Metro area. Originally owned by Uri Lamprey, it was managed as a hunt club from 1881 until the 1970s. The acquisition of Lamprey pass marked the first time money was used from the Nongame Wildlife Tax Check-off revenue. The unit is identified as a DNR Regionally Significant Ecological Area. Actions: Restoration of 16 acres of old field to oak woodland through direct seeding and follow-up management. DNR Wildlife will lead and implement all phases of this enhancement project. The project will commence in FY2011 and continue into FY2012. Carlos Avery WMA (Anoka and Chisago counties) ? This 25,000-acre WMA is the largest in the Twin Cities Metro Area and is one of the iconic WMAs in the state of Minnesota. The site is composed principally of wetlands and oak woodland and savanna. Actions: Enhancement of 22 acres of native and semi-native grassland through removal of invasive trees and shrubs, followed by prescribed fire. The restoration project will be led by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR Wildlife. Great River Greening will oversee removal of red cedar and other woody invasive trees by a contractor; DNR Wildlife will follow with a prescribed burn. Enhancement will begin in FY2011 and continue through FY2013. Sand Prairie WMA (Sherburne County) ? This 700-acre WMA is situated in the glacial flood plain of the Mississippi River, with mesic to wet remnant prairie, dry prairie, and aspen occurring at the site. In addition to its status as a WMA, Sand Prairie is the first WMA also designated as an Environmental Education Area, providing a strong connection to local school and college students. Actions: Restoration of 159 acres of partially restored oak savanna through the planting of oak trees. The site has one of the most diverse prairie species assemblages in a Minnesota restored prairie. This restoration project will be led by DNR Wildlife in collaboration with Great River Greening. Volunteers will be used in the planting of trees as a way to connect the local community to this important site. The project will begin in FY2011 and conclude in FY2012. Becklin Homestead WMA & County Park (Isanti County) ? This WMA is located along the Rum River and consists of partially restored oak savanna and other habitats. The WMA is also jointly managed as an Isanti County Park and is dedicated to hunting use by Physically Challenged hunters only. Actions: Restoration of 25 acres of oak savanna through direct seeding and planting of trees. Isanti County Parks and DNR Wildlife will collaborate on this restoration project. The project will begin in FY2012 and conclude in FY2013. Rice Area Sportsman Club WMA (Morrison County) ? This WMA (580 acres) consists of extensive oak savanna/woodland along its east border, merging with restored native grass fields and wetlands. Actions: Restoration of 163 acres of deciduous woodland, dry oak woodland and dry oak savanna; enhancement of 29 acres of grassland. Oversight of this project will be provided by Great River Greening in collaboration with the DNR Wildlife. Aside from project oversight, much of the proposed work will be subcontracted through MCC and/or private vendor. The project will begin in FY2011 and will conclude in FY2013. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (Sherburne County) ? This 30,700-acre refuge was in 1965 to protect and restore the habitats associated with the St. Francis River Valley for migratory birds and other wildlife, the focus of the Refuge is on the restoration of oak savanna, wetland and Big Woods habitat. Actions: Restoration of 350 acres through prescribed fire and oak seeding of prairie habitats. Great River Greening will hire a contract forester to complement existing USFWS staff engaged in the large-scale oak savanna restoration efforts underway at Sherburne NWR. The forester will flag trees for thinning in line with savanna restoration plans. Springvale County Park (Isanti County) ? This 211-acre park is situated on Johnny's Lake and lies on eskers and wetlands left by the last glaciers. The park includes rolling prairies, oak savanna, northern hardwood forest and wetlands. Actions: Restoration of 20 acres of oak savanna through direct seeding of acorns and planting of oak trees into restored ground layer of restored tallgrass prairie. Isanti County Parks will implement all phases of this restoration project with assistance from volunteers. Restoration will commence in FY2012 and continue into FY2013. Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (Anoka & Isanti counties) ? Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is a large ecological research site in central Minnesota with natural habitats that represent the entire state. The Minnesota County Biological Survey ranks Cedar Creek a site of Outstanding Biodiversity Significance, its highest rating, and the Nature Conservancy has named Cedar Creek an Ecologically Significant Area. Actions: Restoration of 1000 acres of oak savanna and 800 acres of oak woodland habitat through prescribed fire and invasive exotic species control. CCESR will hire temporary staff, managed by seasoned employees, to perform most activities related to this restoration. Components (prescribed fire, invasive species control, etc.) may include staff from Great River Greening, MCC and/or the DNR. Restoration will commence in FY2011 and continue through FY2013. Tier 2 Projects: These projects (which were part of the initial proposal) may be pursued if additional funds are procured through other sources to expand the amount available for restoration and enhancement. At present, these projects, despite their merits are not included in the project action plan. Rice Lake SNA (Sherburne County) ? Glacial meltwaters deposited their outwash sands across this large plain, providing the basis for an open, grassy landscape dotted with bur and pin oak--a classic savanna. Rice Lake Savanna SNA contains examples of oak savanna and oak woodland communities. Actions: Restoration of 80 acres of oak savanna habitat through removal of invasive trees/shrubs, planting of old fields and disturbed areas with native seed collected onsite, and prescribed fire. Mississippi River Islands SNA (Sherburne County) ? This SNA includes five islands formed of outwash and alluvium deposited by the Mississippi River, rising as high as 30 feet above river level. Flooding, erosion, and sedimentation have resulted in various stages of succession, creating a mosaic of wet floodplain forest, drier floodplain forest, and sandbar plant communities. Actions: Restoration of 5 acres of hardwood forest through invasive species removal. Sartell WMA (Benton County) ? This 368-acre WMA is featured by Little Rock Creek (which flows through the site), along with significant oak savanna, oak woodland and prairie in various stages of restoration. Actions: Restoration of 91 acres of oak savanna/woodland habitat, and enhancement of 21 acres of grassland and woodland through exotic and native woody species control. Michaelson Farm WMA (Benton County) ? This 276-acre WMA occurs on the Mississippi River floodplain forest, lowland grass and brush, and oak woodland on higher grounds. Management of the unit focuses on maintaining and improving habitat for a diversity of native plants and wildlife. Actions: Enhancement of 120 acres of oak woodland, woodland and grassland through control of exotic and native woody invasive plants. McDougall WMA (Morrison County) ? This 228-acre WMA occurs along the Mississippi River and is characterized by floodplain forest, oak woodland and deciduous woodland, with some crop field. The WMA borders a preserve of The Nature Conservancy along its south edge. Actions: Enhancement of 54 acres of oak woodland, deciduous woodland and grassland through control of exotic and native woody invasive species. Anderson County Park (Isanti County) ? The 174-acre park lies within the Typo Chain of Lakes watershed, and consists of open fields (in the process of prairie and oak savanna restoration), woods, and wetlands adjacent to both Horseshoe and Horse Leg Lakes. Actions: Restoration of 20 acres of oak savanna through direct seeding of acorns and planting of oak trees into restored understory of tallgrass prairie. Why will this strategy work? The strength of the proposal lies with the ASP Habitat Partnership and the diverse skill sets, expertise and resources of its committed partners. Each partner has a long-term demonstrable track record of achievement in conserving the natural resources of the ASP. Collectively, this expertise is deep, and the resources and skill sets each brings to the table can be used more efficiently, effectively, and with greater impact than each acting alone Across the Partnership there exists a broad cross-section of expertise, skill sets, and missions that reach to all corners of the conservation arena: ? Deep expertise in areas of protection, restoration and enhancement ? Strong science ? both pure and applied ? Public and private partners ? Outreach to private landowners ? Sophisticated educational programs woven throughout partner curricula ? Strong volunteer programs ? Solid grant-writing and fundraising capabilities As a Partnership, we acknowledge this habitat work has to be an ongoing effort, one that is far more integrated and collaborative than what has been done in the past. We will collaborate on projects, share resources and expertise, broaden the existing funding base for this work, and outreach to public/private partners and the local community in efficient and effective ways ? all supported foundationally by a world class ecological research center. The ASP Habitat Partnership has already produced over 2000 hours of in-kind time to form as a coalition and develop these projects. This same kind of energy will be the foundation to our new broad collaborative approach to managing public sites throughout the ASP. By supporting this proposal, the LSOHC will gain far more than the basic investment of wildlife habitat improvements on public lands; it will produce major lasting commitments on the part of local conservation managers to ensure the on-going collaborative nature of this Partnership. Funding through the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will be used to leverage further funding and in-kind support on all sites where we work. The Partnership will increase involvement by the public through the combining and integrating of the volunteer programs led by Great River Greening, SWCDs, National Wild Turkey Federation, The Nature Conservancy, USFWS, MFRC, Isanti County Parks and others. These groups have wide recognition for volunteer development, yet to date there has not been a connecting and sharing of these programs to the degree needed. This project will embark on that next generation of collaboration. All restoration and enhancement actions will be rooted in sound science and adaptive management. Already a hallmark of its partners, the Partnership is committed to using the most effective practices and restoration/management techniques and monitoring/evaluate results for the benefit of the broader conservation community. In collaboration with the University of Minnesota's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, we can ensure that our proposed actions are rooted in the best science. Finally, through the ASP Habitat Partnership, this funding will spearhead the future investment for wildlife habitat on private lands through a systematic and ongoing public awareness process created and implemented by the Partnership. Describe the nature and extent of any partnerships in this project, stakeholder and public participation processes associated with the project and any anticipated support or opposition to the project. The Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Partnership aims, through a coordinated approach, to: 1) elevate and capitalize on resources available for protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural resources in the ASP, 2) share and disseminate management and restoration expertise to public and private landowners, 3) tackle emerging research issues and use findings to guide management actions across public and private lands and waters, and 4) build strong connections to local communities through education, outreach and opportunities for volunteerism. This Partnership, at present, includes the following stakeholders: Anoka County Parks Morrison SWCD Mid-Minnesota Mississippi River RC&D National Wild Turkey Federation Onanegozie RC&D Stearns SWCD The Nature Conservancy US Fish & Wildlife Service University of Minnesota Wright SWCD Audubon Minnesota Benton SWCD BWSR Chisago SWCD Friends of the Rum River Great River Greening Isanti County Parks Minnesota DNR Minnesota Forest Resources Council The concept behind the ASP Habitat Partnership - integrated public and private land management ? is a strategic direction of the Minnesota DNR (as stated in A Strategic Conservation Agenda 2009-2013). The ability of the DNR to administer state forests, parks, wildlife management areas, aquatic management areas, and scientific and natural areas is strongly influenced by the management of surrounding lands and waters. Through engagement in partnerships like the ASP Habitat Partnership, the DNR is pursuing integrated management for extensive interspersed public and private lands in order to build its capacity to work across ownership boundaries. Backed by a slate of seasoned resource professionals (wildlife managers, ecologists, restoration experts, scientists) within an array of established conservation agencies and organizations, the Partnership is poised to begin making immediate impacts across 3904 acres of habitat. ","Final Report ",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Great River Greening","35 W Water Street ","St. Paul",None,55107,"(651) 665-9500",wostlie@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Isanti","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-restoration-and-enhancement,,,,
9804,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Restoration and Enhancement , Phase 2",2013,1050000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(i)","$1,050,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance habitat on public lands in the Anoka Sand Plain and along the Rum River as follows: $558,750 to Great River Greening; $99,400 to the Anoka Conservation District; and $391,850 to the National Wild Turkey Federation. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Enhance 139 acres of wetlands, 1,150 acres of prairies and 577 acres of forest ",,,208800,"Morrison County, Great River Greening and National Wild Turkey Federation ",1050000,,,.66,"Great River Greening, Anoka Conservation District and National Wild Turkey Federation","Non-Profit Business/Entity","With funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund and other leveraged sources, the Anoka Sand Plain Partnership restored/enhanced 1,866 acres of priority wildlife habitat within the Anoka Sand Plain and in the Rum River watershed in east-central Minnesota. ",,"The participating members of the Anoka Sand Plain Partnership, Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Great River Greening (GRG), and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), harnessed the expertise, resources, and connections of a broad community of committed conservation stakeholders to significantly elevate restoration and enhancement of oak savannas (Minnesota’s most critically imperiled habitat), prairies, oak woodlands, grasslands, forests, and wetlands on public lands across the Anoka Sand Plain ecological region of east-central Minnesota.The Anoka Sand Plain Partnership exceeded output targets, restoring/enhancing 1,866 acres of critical habitat on public lands in the project area. This exceeded output target of 1,355 acres restored/enhanced by 511 acres or 138%.Acres R/E by habitat type: • 139 acres of wetland habitat • 1,150 acres of prairie/oak savanna habitat • 577 acres of forest habitatAcres R/E by restoration activity: • 2,431 acres of woody invasive species management • 292 acres of prescribed burning • 4 acres of prairie seeding • 139 acres of wetland restoration • 19 acres of riverbank restoration Note: acres by activity may be greater than output acres/project footprint when multiple restoration activities were performed on the same acre (such as invasive species removal and prescribed burning).R/E work was completed across 11 public lands (see a full summary detailed in the final parcel list) including the following:1. Allemansrätt Wilderness Park (Chisago County, GRG): Forest enhancement occurred on 40 acres of high diversity forest, through two stage invasive shrub control. Funds were used for subcontracted work, while ENRTF and local match were used for volunteer engagement and habitat enhancement of adjacent acres. 2. Anoka Nature Preserve (Anoka County, ACD): Habitat enhancement occurred on 148 acres of Anoka Nature Preserve through herbicide application of common buckthorn, prickly ash, and tartarian honeysuckle; prescribed burning of treated acres; and planting of native bare root trees and shrubs. Monitoring and chemical and mechanical control of invasive woody species continued after initial treatment, including mowing, stump spraying, and spot basal bark spraying to further reduce invasive regrowth and encourage desirable species. 3. Belle Prairie County Park (Morrison County, GRG): A total of 35 acres of oak savanna/woodland habitat was enhanced through sustained removal of woody invasive species including removal, stump treatment, and a prescribed burn; and a 4 acre old field was seeded into prairie.4. Carlos Avery WMA (Anoka County, GRG): A total of 339 acres of high quality (MCBS) forest were enhanced with invasive woody removal, primarily invasive shrubs and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), with multiple treatments using subcontracted work and Greening crews. 5. Ereaux WMA (Morrison County, NWTF): A total of 288 oak woodland acres were enhanced by woody invasive species management through cutting, herbicide stump treatment, and burning of debris piles. Emergent invasive sprouts were later spot sprayed with herbicide. A portion of the site was also burned.6. McDougall WMA (Morrison County, NWTF): A total 111 acres of Mississippi River high quality floodplain and terrace forest were treated for invasive buckthorn. 7. Rice Lake SNA (Sherburne County, GRG): A total of 23 acres of high quality oak savanna enhancement was completed with the removal of invasive shrubs using a two stage treatment of winter forestry mowing, followed by spring prescribed burning. 8. Rum River Wild Rice (Isanti County, GRG): This project included successful aerial spray of overabundant water lily and invasive cattail on Marget and Krone Lakes, two historic wild rice shallow lakes, to release viable wild rice seed bed and improve the success of supplemental seeding. This project also included wild rice seeding in Rum River backwaters, oxbows, and main channel. This project enhanced a total of 139 wetland acres. 9. Sartell WMA (Benton County, NWTF): A total of 170 oak woodland acres were enhanced through woody invasive species removal of buckthorn, honeysuckle, and overabundant red cedar, through cutting, herbicide stump treatment, and burning of debris piles. Emergent invasive sprouts were later spot sprayed with herbicide. A portion of the site was also burned. 10. Sherburne NWR (Sherburne County, GRG): A total of 519 acres of oak savanna enhancement work was completed as part of the large-scale restoration of refuge lands. Enhancement consisted of woody invasive species control and other activities, through both subcontract work and USFWS in-kind match.11. Twin Lakes SNA (Isanti County, GRG): A total of 47 acres of forest were enhanced through the removal and treatment of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and other invasive species. In addition, a forest gap of 3 acres of old field was planted with oak seedlings grown from acorns collected on site.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Great River Greening","35 West Water Street, Suite 201","St. Paul",MN,55082,"(651) 894-3870",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-2,,,,
23918,"Anoka Sandplain Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase III",2015,1047100,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(i)","$1,190,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands in Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Morrison, Sherburne, and Stearns Counties as follows: $155,000 is to Anoka Conservation District; $79,000 is to Isanti County Parks Department; $901,000 is to Great River Greening; and $55,000 is to Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"2 acres restored, 3,712 acres enhanced for a total of 3,714 acres ",,126300,"Isanti County Parks; City of Cambridge, Anoka County; Anoka SWCD, Anoka PF; Anoka SWCD, Great River Greening, USFWS, NWTF, Mn NPEAP, City of Anoka; Anoka County ",1047100,,,0.82,"Anoka Conservation District, Isanti County, Great River Greening, Stearns County SWCD","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Anoka Sand Plain Partnership restored / enhanced 3,714 acres of priority prairie, savanna, forest, wetland, and shoreline habitat on public lands and waters within the Anoka Sand Plain EcoRegion within the Metropolitan Urbanizing, Forest-Prairie, and Northern Forest regions. Total R/E acreage achieved over the course of the appropriation is 126% of our stated acreage goals, and was accomplished through a robust partnership of four direct recipients improving a total of 16 priority sites including WMAs, state forest, national wildlife refuges, city and county lands.  ",,"The Anoka Sand Plain Partnership includes government agencies and organizations working to protect, enhance and restore the lands and waters of the Anoka Sand Plain.  Problems Addressed Wildlife habitat in the ASP is impacted by numerous threats, resulting in an urgent need for action:  1. Native habitats have become rare and continue to be lost. Oak savanna and prairie - the characteristic habitat of the Anoka Sandplain - now persist over <1% of their historic range. Due to its proximity to the Twin Cities, the ASP is realizing immense development pressure on what native habitat remains. 2. Degradation of habitats on public lands and waters threatens associated wildlife populations. Reduction in habitat quality has had profound impacts on wildlife in the ASP. Minnesota’s CWCP identifies maintenance, enhancement and protection of oak savannas as its first priority in addressing the 97 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) occurring in this ecological subsection. 3. Government agencies often lack sufficient resources/capacity to manage important lands. Inadequate funding/capacity for restoration activities on public lands has resulted in declines in the condition of Minnesota’s most important wildlife habitats. Scope of Work The following outcomes were realized: 1. Expansion of ongoing restoration/enhancement to 16 new project areas; 2. Restoration/enhancement of 3,714 acres, 126% of our 2,952 acres goal, of habitat across priority lands and waters.  Direct recipients and their project sites in this program were: 1. Anoka Conservation District  a. Beach Conservation Easement - 51 acres were restored by control of non-native invasive herbaceous and shrub species, and interseeding with pollinator species.  b. Rum River Riparian Restoration (Cedar Creek Conservation Area, Rum River Central Regional Park) – One mile of eroding riverbank has been identified along the Rum River on public lands, impacting habitat for fish species. Actions: Enhancement of 970 feet of riparian and adjacent instream habitat through installation of weirs, cedar revetments, and willow staking.   c. Martin-Island-Linwood Regional Park – Anoka County supports over 3,000 acres of high quality (MCBS mapped) natural forest habitat on public lands, Actions: Enhancement of 79 acres of MCBS forest habitat, treated at the very effective early detection / low density phase of infestation.  c. Linwood Community Forest – Anoka County supports over 3,000 acres of high quality (MCBS mapped) natural forest habitat on public lands, Actions: Enhancement of 72 acres of MCBS forest habitat through buckthorn control treated at the very effective early detection / low density phase of infestation. 2. Great River Greening  a.Sand Dunes State Forest – The MnDNR's SDSF Operational Plan (2013), developed to bring balance between economic and ecological assets of the Forest, identifies 630 acres of the 5,700-acre forest for immediate action to address imperiled native plant communities and rare species; an unanticipated public process was then initiated during this appropriation. Actions: Enhancement of 178 acres of priority habitat through invasive species control.  b. Sherburne NWR, Phase 3 – This 30,700-acre refuge was created to protect/restore habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife, with a focus on oak savanna, wetlands and Big Woods habitat. Actions: Construction of 19 miles of fence, encompassing 9600 acres, and initiation of conservation grazing on 2134 acres (527 wetland, 1607 oak savanna).   c. Crane Meadows NWR – Crane Meadows was established to preserve the state’s largest sedge meadow wetland complex and associated breeding sandhill crane population, and includes a diverse mix of native prairie, savanna, and wetlands. Actions: Enhancement of 480 acres of habitat through woody thinning/control, seeding, and tree planting.  d. BenLacs WMA – This 569-acre WMA includes forest interspersed with wetlands, offering diverse recreational opportunities ranging from hunting/fishing to skiing. Actions: Enhancement of 322 acres of mixed forest and wetland habitat through woody invasive species control.  e. McDougall Homestead WMA – This 228-acre WMA of high-quality floodplain forest, oak woodland and restored prairie, lies along the Mississippi River and is home to more than 30 SGCN. Actions: Enhancement of 83 acres of oak woodland and forest, through woody invasive species control, plus enhancement of 35 acres of prairie with inter-plugging of pollinator forbs.   f. Sand Prairie WMA, Phase 2 – This 700-acre WMA is characterized by prairie and aspen/oak woodland, and is the first designated Environmental Education Area in the state, providing strong connections to local schools/colleges. Actions: Enhancement of 134 acres of oak woodland and prairiee through invasive species control.  g. Kelsey Round Lake Park – Situated on Round Lake, the park’s woodlands and restored prairies provide habitat for many species ranging from waterfowl and songbirds to Blanding’s turtles. Actions: Enhancement of 28 acres of Big Woods forest through invasive species control and planting. 3. Isanti County Parks  a. Vegsund County Park – This 80-acre park consists of oak woodland, restored prairies, wetlands, along 1/2 mile of Lake Seventeen’s undeveloped shoreline, an attractive fishery. Actions: Enhancement of 15 acres of woodland through removal of woody invasive species and prescribed burning  b. Irving and John Anderson County Park – The 174-acre park lies adjacent to Horseshoe and Horse Leg lakes, and consists of wetlands, prairie and oak savanna/woodland in the process of restoration. Actions: Enhancement of 18 acres of oak woodland through removal of woody invasive control and prescribed fire.  c. Springvale County Park, Phase 2 – This 211-acre park is situated on Johnny’s Lake and lies on rolling eskers of prairie, woodlands and wetlands. Actions: Enhancement of 34 acres of oak woodland through removal of woody invasive control and prescribed burning.   d. Cambridge City Park – This 151-acre park protects floodplain forest situated along 1.5 miles of the Wild & Scenic Rum River. Actions: Enhancement of 39 acres of floodplain forest through woody invasive control.  4. Stearns SWCD  a. Mississippi River County Park – This 340-acre park contains 1.3 miles of 80 acres of upland forest and restored prairie. Actions:Enhancement of forest through invasive species control; restoration of 155 feet of river shoreline. ",2014-07-01,2019-12-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Suite 2200","St. Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 665-9500",wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sandplain-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-iii,,,,
10033933,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase 8",2024,3269000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(b)","$3,269,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and easements in the Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting minor watersheds as follows: $802,000 to the Anoka Conservation District; $839,000 to Great River Greening; $175,000 to the National Wild Turkey Federation; $280,000 to Sherburne County; and $1,173,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. $144,000 of the amount to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed.Record number of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat complexes. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed. Record number of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat complexes. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed. Record number of acres protected of high quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat cores and corridors",,,321800,"ACD, NWTF, DNR, Volunteers, CCESR, City of Anoka, ENRTF, MLA, CCES, Anoka Co Parks, City of Anoka, MN Landscape Arboretum, NWTF Super Fund, Private Landowners, Sherburne County, Volunteers, ENRTF, LGUs, Sherburne NWR and Waived DSS",3167500,101500,,1.26,"ACD, GRG, NWTF, Sherburne Co, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership will protect 164 acres through conservation easement, restore/enhance 468 acres of Prairie/Oak Savanna, Wetland, Habitat, and Woodland/Forest, including rescue and relocation of 11,000 rare plants, at sites centered around the DNR's ASP ecoregion. Our actions will increase biodiversity, habitat connectivity, recreational opportunities, and landscape resilience, which align with the ASP Partnership's 10-year Strategic Plan, DNR Wildlife Action Plan and LSOHC Section priorities. GRG, ACD, MLT, NWTF, and SherbCo Parks are direct recipients, with significant match from NWTF, ENRTF, landowner donation, volunteers, LGUs, and private donations.","The ASP Partnership project boundary is defined by the DNR's ASP ecological subsection and its intersecting minor watersheds, which captures portions of the Metropolitan Urbanizing, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest LSOHC sections. Our project boundary is a marvelously complex mosaic of habitats, home to quality prairie and savanna, wetlands, fire-dependent forests and woodlands, large habitat cores, designated wild and scenic rivers, and a high concentration of rare species. The amount of high quality remnant habitat in the ASP is remarkable given its proximity to Twin Cities and St. Cloud urban cores. While the location of the ASP provides easy access for the majority of Minnesotans, the associated stressors- invasive species, development pressure, and conversion- threaten its sustainability. The need for continuing and accelerating conservation action here is urgent. The diversity in this rich and important habitat mosaic, complemented by its close proximity to most Minnesotans, is reflected in the number and diversity of organizations that identify the area as a priority, combining our specific knowledge and stakeholder engagement to join forces for its conservation. The robust ASP Partnership is committed to protecting, restoring, and enhancing this spectacular region so it can continue to provide vital habitat, invaluable ecological services, and high-quality recreational and engagement opportunities. Bringing clarity and focus to our Phase 8 and all of our work in this complex area is the science-based ASP Partnership's 10-year Strategic Plan, used to identify priority habitats, opportunities, centers of biodiversity, and a plan of action with measurable goals. With this funding, Great River Greening (GRG), Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), and Sherburne County Parks (SherbCo Parks) will secure conservation easements on 164 acres to expand habitat cores and corridors, and complete restoration and enhancement (R/E) on 468 protected acres. Habitats include prairie/savanna grasslands, woodland, and non-forested peat wetlands. Results will be achieved by easement protection of ecologically significant habitats and by conducting invasive species and woody encroachment removal, prescribed burning and conservation grazing, thinning, seeding, and planting. This includes the continuation of a Rare Plant Rescue program to rescue and relocate 11,000 rare plants that would otherwise be destroyed by development, conducting habitat enhancement on protected lands with rare species populations and Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) habitat, and seeding 120 acres to prairie. Our program will create and improve critical habitat by increasing biodiversity and landscape resilience. It will also benefit water quality and quantity, improve community resiliency, and increase recreational opportunities including R/E engagement.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Street Ste 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,651-665-9500,wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Sherburne, Stearns","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-conservation-phase-8-0,,,,
10035224,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase 9",2025,1802000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(p)","$1,802,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and easements in the Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting minor watersheds as follows: $1,508,000 to Great River Greening and $294,000 to Sherburne County.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Perform ecological monitoring using DNR protocol and evaluate data; adapt management when and where needed. Record number of acres protected of high-quality habitat on private lands, which buffer public lands and expand habitat cores and corridors; and number of acres of key habitat successfully restored / enhanced. Map project sites and periodically perform GIS analysis to help quantify impact on habitat complexes",,,132100,"GRG, Private Foundation(s), Sherburne County, Stearns County and Volunteers",1782000,20000,,None,"GRG, Sherburne County Parks","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership will restore/enhance 299 acres of prairie and forest habitat within the ASP ecoregion. Our actions will increase biodiversity, habitat connectivity, recreational opportunities, and landscape resilience which align with the ASP Partnership's strategic plan, DNR Wildlife Action Plan, and LSOHC Section priorities. Great River Greening seeks funding for Quarry Park Phase2, to enhance another 234ac of the 683ac habitat core. Sherburne County Parks seeks funding for 52ac for Phase 2 at Big Elk Lake to complete the enhancement that will start with ML23_ASP8 and begin 13ac at Island View County Park.","The Anoka Sand Plain project areas include portions of the Metropolitan Urbanizing, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest sections. The landscape is a marvelously complex mosaic of habitats, home to quality prairie and savanna, wetlands, fire-dependent forests and woodlands, designated wild and scenic rivers, and a high concentration of rare species. The amount of high-quality remnant habitat in the ASP is remarkable given its proximity to Twin Cities and St. Cloud urban areas. While the location of the ASP provides easy access for the majority of Minnesotans, the associated stressors- invasive species, development pressure, and conversion- threaten its sustainability. The diversity in this rich and important habitat mosaic, complemented by its close proximity to most Minnesotans, is reflected in the number and diversity of organizations that identify the area as a priority, combining our specific knowledge and stakeholder engagement to join forces for its conservation. The robust ASP Partnership is committed to protecting, restoring and enhancing this spectacular region so it can continue to provide vital habitat, invaluable ecological services, and high-quality recreational and engagement opportunities. Bringing clarity and focus to our Phase 9 and all of our work in this complex area is the ASP Partnership's 10-year strategic plan, which aligns with other important plans to identify priority habitats, opportunities, centers of biodiversity, and a plan of action with measurable goals. With this funding, Great River Greening (GRG) and Sherburne County Parks (SCP), will complete restoration and enhancement (R/E) on 242 protected acres and 800' of shoreline. Habitats include prairie/savanna grasslands, oak woodland, and shoreline. Results will be achieved by restoration and enhancement of ecologically significant habitats by conducting invasive species and woody encroachment removal, prescribed burning, thinning, seeding, and planting. This includes continuing with phase 2 of the ecological enhancement at both Quarry Park & Reserve (SNA), and Big Elk Lake County Park, as well as the first phase at Island View County Park. Our program will create and improve critical habitat by increasing biodiversity and landscape resilience at these habitat cores and corridors. It will also benefit water quality and quantity, improve community resiliency, and increase recreational opportunities including R/E engagement. GRG will use the Towable Biochar Burner in all four of its funded OHF partnerships: Anoka Sand Plain Partnership, Metro Big Rivers Partnership, Cannon River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Partnership, and Sauk River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Protection Partnership, in ML24, existing, and any future appropriations. Over the next five years, GRG anticipates it will be used at an estimated 25 GRG sites, operating 1,500-2,000 equipment hours. In addition, GRG will offer its use to our OHF partner organization when GRG is not using it; transportation and operation costs will be borne by partners' project budgets when used by partners. Furthermore, GRG will monitor the effectiveness of the biochar product in its re-vegetation efforts by documenting feed stock, pyrolysis temperature, soil type, and pH of the produced biochar, and then conduct monitoring after surface spreading or soil incorporation.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Street Ste 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,651-272-3981,wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Sherburne, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-conservation-phase-9,,,,
10011425,"Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation - Phase VI",2020,2573000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(j)","$2,573,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and easements in the Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting minor watersheds as follows: $156,000 is to the Anoka Conservation District; $699,000 is to Great River Greening; $269,000 is to the Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District; $182,000 is to the National Wild Turkey Federation; and $1,267,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $144,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"The Anoka Sand Plain serves as a refuge for many globally unique species and rare plant communities, including roughly one-third of Minnesota's listed rare plant and animals, and 97 known or predicted Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), and 131 federally or state endangered, threatened, or special concern. The Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) ranks 72,000 acres in the ASP as Outstanding or High Biodiversity. This proposal addresses LSOHC and Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) priorities by protecting and restoring/enhancing oak savanna, prairie, riparian, woodlands, and non-forested wetlands.","A total of 1,191 acres were affected: 57 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 423 in Easements, 711 in Enhance.",656900,"ACD, NWTF, City of Blaine, City of Blaine, Volunteers, NWTF, ENRTF, USFWS, ENRTF, NFWF, Butler Foundation, ENRTF, USFWS, Landowner donation of easement value, NWTF, Sherburne County, TNC, NWTF and USFWS",2482700,46200,,1.38,"ACD, GRG, Sherburne SWCD, Wild Turkey Fed, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership protected 423 acres through conservation easement, restored/enhanced 768 acres of Prairie/Oak Savanna, Wetland, Habitat, and Woodland/Forest habitats, including rescue and relocation of 11,000 rare plants, at sites centered around the DNR's ASP ecoregion. Overall, we reached 112% of our acreage goals, and an additional 5.4 miles of shoreline. Our actions increased biodiversity, habitat connectivity, recreational opportunities, and landscape resilience, which aligned with the ASP Partnership's 10-year Strategic Plan, DNR Wildlife Action Plan and LSOHC Section priorities. Partners leveraged $656,900 in funding over the course of the grant.","The ASP Partnership project boundary is defined by the DNR's ASP ecological subsection and its intersecting minor watersheds , which captures portions of the Metropolitan Urbanizing, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest LSOHC sections. Our project boundary is a marvelously complex mosaic of habitats, home to quality prairie and savanna, wetlands, fire-dependent forests and woodlands, large habitat cores, designated wild and scenic rivers, and a high concentration of rare species. The amount of high-quality remnant habitat in the ASP is remarkable given its proximity to Twin Cities and St. Cloud urban cores. While the location of the ASP provides easy access for the majority of Minnesotans, the associated stressors- invasive species, development pressure, and conversion- threaten its sustainability. The need for continuing and accelerating conservation action here is urgent. The diversity in this rich and important habitat mosaic, complemented by its close proximity to most Minnesotans, is reflected in the number and diversity of organizations that identify the area as a priority, combining our specific knowledge and stakeholder engagement to join forces for its conservation. The robust ASP Partnership is committed to protecting, restoring, and enhancing this spectacular region so it can continue to provide vital habitat, invaluable ecological services, and high-quality recreational and engagement opportunities. Bringing clarity and focus to our Phase 8 and all of our work in this complex area is the science-based ASP Partnership's 10-year Strategic Plan, used to identify priority habitats, opportunities, centers of biodiversity, and a plan of action with measurable goals. With this funding, Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) protected 423 acres and 5.4 shoreline miles of priority habitat through conservation easement. Great River Greening (GRG), Anoka Conservation District (ACD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), and Sherburne County Parks (SherbCo Parks) completed restoration and enhancement (R/E) on 768 protected acres. Habitats included prairie/savanna grasslands, woodland, and non-forested peat wetlands. Results were achieved by easement protection of ecologically significant habitats and by conducting invasive species and woody encroachment removal, prescribed burning and conservation grazing, thinning, seeding, and planting. This includes the continuation of a Rare Plant Rescue program to rescue and relocate 11,000 rare plants that would otherwise be destroyed by development, conducting habitat enhancement on protected lands with rare species populations and Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) habitat. Our program restored and improved critical habitat by increasing biodiversity and landscape resilience. Our efforts benefitted water quality and quantity, improved community resiliency, and increased recreational opportunities including R/E engagement.",,2019-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Street STE 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,651-665-9500,wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Isanti, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/anoka-sand-plain-habitat-conservation-phase-vi,,,,
21784,"Antibiotics in Minnesota Waters - Phase II - Mississippi River",2014,203000,"M.L. 2013, Chp. 52, Sec. 2, Subd. 05h","$203,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the University of St. Thomas to measure antibiotic concentrations and antibiotic resistance levels and assess the contributions of farm runoff and wastewater treatment in a portion of the Mississippi River. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,203000,,,3.22,"University of St. Thomas","Private College/University","The occurrences of contaminants including antibiotics, other pharmaceuticals, and personal care products in the environment have gained increasing attention in recent years because of their potential health and ecological impacts. However, serious gaps remain in our understanding of these contaminants and the significance of the threats they may pose, such as to drinking water. Through this appropriation scientists at the University of St. Thomas, Gustavus Adolphus College, and the University of Minnesota will continue work focused on the threats posed by antibiotics to understand which antibiotics are of the most concern – for example, because of their potential to increase antibiotic resistance – and to delineate their urban and rural sources. The first phase focused on antibiotics in the Minnesota River and this phase will focus on the Mississippi River. Findings will help develop strategies to manage threats and minimize future impacts posed by antibiotics to human and ecological health.",,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2013/work_plans/2013_05h.pdf,2013-07-01,2016-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Kristine,Wammer,"St. Thomas University","2115 Summit Ave, OSS 402","St. Paul",MN,55105,"(651) 962-5574",khwammer@stthomas.edu,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Wabasha, Wright",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/antibiotics-minnesota-waters-phase-ii-mississippi-river,,,,
33185,"Assessment of Irrigation Efficiencies in Benton County",2016,431000,"M.L. 2015, Chp. 76, Sec. 2, Subd. 04h","$431,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Benton Soil and Water Conservation District to develop and implement a decision support system to increase irrigation efficiencies and provide outreach on irrigation best management practices. Software developed with this appropriation must be available in the public domain. Project efforts should be coordinated with the Department of Natural Resources. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,,,,,"Benton Soil and Water Conservation District","Local/Regional Government",,,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2015/work_plans_may/_2015_04h.pdf,2015-07-01,2019-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Gerry,Maciej,"Benton Soil and Water Conservation District","14 Second Ave W",Foley,MN,56329,"(320) 968-5300",gerry@soilandwater.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Morrison",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/assessment-irrigation-efficiencies-benton-county,,,,
18268,"Bend in the River Regional Park",2013,280000,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(c) (1) & M.S. 85.535","$7331000 the first year and $7686000 the second year are for grants under Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to acquire develop improve and restore parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 473.121 subdivision 2.",,,,,,,,,,"Benton County",,"River overlook(s), parking lot, trail connections, bathrooms, interpretive sign boards, kiosk, signage, pedestrian crossings, benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles.",,,2013-06-01,2015-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Joe,Hiller,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5538",joe.hiller@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Benton,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/bend-river-regional-park,,,,
10031409,"Breaking the PFAS Cycle with a Full-Scale Demonstration",2025,1481000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 04k","$1,481,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Barr Engineering Company, in partnership with the city of St. Cloud and the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) at the University of Minnesota, to conduct a full-scale pilot to evaluate supercritical water oxidation of biosolids and drinking water treatment residuals to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and recover energy in the water treatment process. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,1.24,"Barr Engineering Co.","For-Profit Business/Entity","This full-scale pilot will evaluate supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) for managing PFAS in biosolids and water treatment residuals. SCWO can destroy PFAS in a variety of wastes and recover energy.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Andrew,McCabe,"Barr Engineering Co.","4300 MarketPointe Dr",Minneapolis,MN,55435,"(952) 832-2844",amccabe@barr.com,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/breaking-pfas-cycle-full-scale-demonstration,,,,
10031439,"Building Resilient Urban Forests for Climate Change",2025,752000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 07b","$752,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to partner with municipalities and school districts to create gravel-bed nurseries, conduct tree assessments and mapping, and plant climate-resilient tree species on public lands in St. Cloud, Mankato, and the Twin Cities region. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,1.84,"Great River Greening","Non-Profit Business/Entity","We will partner with urban municipalities and school districts to support planting of climate-resilient tree species. Activities include planting trees, gravel bed nursery creation, tree assessment and mapping, and community.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-12-31,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Todd,Rexine,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey St, Ste 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55107,"(651) 665-9500",trexine@greatrivergreening.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, Wright, Brown, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/building-resilient-urban-forests-climate-change,,,,
787,"Cold Water River and Stream Restoration, Protection, and Enhancement, Phase I",2010,2050000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(c )","$2,050,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited or successor to restore, enhance, and protect cold water river and stream habitats in Minnesota. A list of proposed acquisitions and a list of proposed projects, describing the types and locations of restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed acquisition, restoration, and enhancement.",,"Total acres restored or enhanced: 277",,,,2050000,,,0.125,"MN Trout Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will restore and enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in 11 watersheds across the state of Minnesota. The proposed projects will improve habitat for both game and non-game fish and wildlife species uniquely associated with cold water trout streams and provide expanded recreational opportunities for Minnesota anglers. ","As part of our ongoing program of trout and salmon habitat restoration and enhancement, the Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited (""MNTU"") has identified the priority conservation projects listed below. MNTU proposes to restore or enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in and along the following Minnesota waters (counties) between July 2009 and June 201, with most projects completed by October 2010: 1. Hay Creek (Goodhue); 2. Kabekona Creek (Hubbard); 3. Lawndale Creek (Wilkin); 4. Little Rock Creek (Benton); 5. Middle Branch of Whitewater River (Olmsted); 6. Mill Creek (Fillmore); 7. Pickwick Creek (Winona); 8. Trout Run Creek (Fillmore); 9. Straight River (Becker & Hubbard); 10. Sucker River (St. Louis); 11. Vermillion River (Dakota). Degraded cold water habitat is an important statewide conservation issue that requires immediate investment through habitat restoration and enhancement projects. The distinct natural resource characteristics of each ecologically distinct region of Minnesota, together with the variation in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices in different watersheds, require that fish habitat restoration methods vary around the state. MNTU understands this and tailors our projects accordingly. In the Lake Superior basin, this may mean restoring in-stream cover which was removed decades ago to facilitate log drives. In Southwest Minnesota this may mean restoring overhead bank cover, while drastically sloping soil back to remove thick sediment deposited from the uplands and restore streams' access to their floodplains. The projects to be undertaken by MNTU as part of this program will be designed to accomplish a number of the following purposes: a) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation, b) reconnect streams to their floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, c) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, d) maintain or increase adult trout abundance, e) increase biodiversity for both in-stream and non-game species, f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required, and g) improve angler access. The results of the projects will be evaluated not only in measures of habitat restored and/or enhanced, but also through trout population assessments. ","As part of our ongoing program of trout and salmon habitat restoration and enhancement, the Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited (""MNTU"") has identified the priority conservation projects listed below. MNTU proposes to restore or enhance in-stream and riparian fish and wildlife habitat in and along the following Minnesota waters (counties) between July 2009 and June 201, with most projects completed by October 2010:1. Hay Creek (Goodhue);2. Kabekona Creek (Hubbard);3. Lawndale Creek (Wilkin);4. Little Rock Creek (Benton);5. Middle Branch of Whitewater River (Olmsted);6. Mill Creek (Fillmore);7. Pickwick Creek (Winona);8. Trout Run Creek (Fillmore);9. Straight River (Becker & Hubbard);10. Sucker River (St. Louis);11. Vermillion River (Dakota).Degraded cold water habitat is an important statewide conservation issue that requires immediate investment through habitat restoration and enhancement projects. The distinct natural resource characteristics of each ecologically distinct region of Minnesota, together with the variation in the type and magnitude of poor land uses practices in different watersheds, require that fish habitat restoration methods vary around the state. MNTU understands this and tailors our projects accordingly. In the Lake Superior basin, this may mean restoring in-stream cover which was removed decades ago to facilitate log drives. In Southwest Minnesota this may mean restoring overhead bank cover, while drastically sloping soil back to remove thick sediment deposited from the uplands and restore streams' access to their floodplains.The projects to be undertaken by MNTU as part of this program will be designed to accomplish a number of the following purposes: a) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation, b) reconnect streams to their floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, c) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, d) maintain or increase adult trout abundance, e) increase biodiversity for both in-stream and non-game species, f) be long lasting with minimal maintenance required, and g) improve angler access.The results of the projects will be evaluated not only in measures of habitat restored and/or enhanced, but also through trout population assessments.",2009-07-01,2011-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Council of Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,None,55317,,jlenczewski@comcast.net,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Benton, Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hubbard, Olmsted, St. Louis, St. Louis",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/cold-water-river-and-stream-restoration-protection-and-enhancement,,,,
10031413,"Connecting Communities to Voyageurs Classroom and Minnesota's National Park",2025,994000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 05b","$994,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Voyageurs Conservancy to connect Minnesotans to the state's only national park through standards-aligned K-12 education, career-building fellowships, and enhanced programming that engages diverse audiences in the park's conservation.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,10.8,"Voyageurs Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Voyageurs Conservancy will connect 17,000 Minnesotans to the state's only national park through standards-aligned K-12 education, career-building fellowships, and enhanced programs that engage diverse audiences in the park's conservation.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Breanna,Trygg,"Voyageurs Conservancy","1400 Van Buren Street #200-235",Minneapolis,MN,55413,"(612) 333-5424",btrygg@voyageurs.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/connecting-communities-voyageurs-classroom-and-minnesotas-national-park,,,,
10000081,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Phase IX: Statewide and Metro Habitat",2018,9294000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(j)","$9,294,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $2,660,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of the total appropriation, $634,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from non-state sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land in fee or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, or by public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. ",,"1,379 Wetland acres, 942 Prairie acres, 1,758 Forest acres, 268 Habitat acres (for a total of 4,347 acres) Restored. 185 Prairie acres, 175 Forest acres, 317 Habitat acres (for a total of 677 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. 181 Forest acres and 23 Habitat acres (for a total of 204 acres) Protected in Fee without State PILT Liability. 603 Wetland acres, 13,179 Prairie acres, 18,148 Forest acres, 3,034 Habitat acres (for a total of 34,964 acres) Enhanced. ",,1557500,"grantees and partners ",7557200,11400,,1,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program will be managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. In it's first 7 years of funding, the CPL program has provided 410 grants totaling $37 million to 133 different grantee organizations, positively affecting over 220,000 acres of habitat. Demand for CPL grants has continued to grow each year as new grantees hear about the program and successful grantees return. ",,"The CPL program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner’s grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $8,660,000 was available for grants. Of this amount, up to $2,660,000 was used for projects in the 7-county metro area and in cities with a population of 50,000 people or greater. This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers and habitat and acquisition specialists. Grant activities included enhancement, restoration and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants, and may be in- kind or cash. Applicants described the project, location, activity, habitat, benefit, etc. For acquisition projects, applicants described the parcel selection process. CPL Staff developed an RFP incorporating LSOHC priorities. Staff worked with applicants to submit applications, oversaw grant selection, prepared/executed grant documents, reviewed expenditures, approved payments/reports, monitored work, and assisted recipients with close-out. Staff complies with Office of Grants Management policies. The CPL program has 3 annual grant cycles- Traditional, Metro, and Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP). The Traditional and Metro cycles had one grant round beginning August 2017. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. The ECP grant cycle had two rounds of funding. CPL staff reviewed applications for completeness. Technical Review Committees, comprised of habitat experts across the state and approved by the DNR Commissioner, reviewed and scored Traditional and Metro applications based on evaluation criteria (see attached). The DNR Directors of Fish and Wildlife, Eco Waters, and Forestry reviewed the committee’s recommendations and provide a final ranking to the Commissioner. Funding decisions were made by the Commissioner’s office. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff and DNR habitat experts using established criteria. The Director of Fish and Wildlife made final funding decisions for ECP. Grantees were required to submit annual and final accomplishment reports. Grantees were paid on a reimbursement or “for services rendered” basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to staff before additional payments are made. Funds were advanced for acquisitions to accommodate cash flow needs. CPL Administration Budget: Administration costs of $101,300 include salary/fringe, direct support services, travel, supplies, outreach, ongoing application system/database maintenance, and other professional services. ",2017-07-01,2021-11-12,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jessica,Lee,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Blue Earth, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kittson, Lake, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-ix-statewide-and-metro-habitat,,,,
10004598,"Conservation Easements in the Avon Hills - Phase III",2017,1300000,"M.L. 2016, Chp. 186, Sec. 2, Subd. 09c","$1,300,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Saint John's University in cooperation with Minnesota Land Trust to secure permanent conservation easements on approximately 500 acres of high-quality habitat in Stearns County, prepare conservation management plans, and provide public outreach. A list of proposed easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work plan. An entity that acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement. Funding for the long-term monitoring and enforcement fund must come from nonstate sources for easements acquired with this appropriation. The state may enforce requirements in the conservation easements on land acquired with this appropriation and the conservation easement document must state this authority and explicitly include requirements for water quality and quantity protection. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,,,,,"Saint Johns University","Private College/University",,,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2016/work_plans_may/_2016_09c.pdf,2016-07-01,2019-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,John,Geissler,"Saint Johns Arboretum and University","104 New Science Bldg",Collegeville,MN,56321,"(320) 363-3126",jgeissler001@csbsju.edu,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-easements-avon-hills-phase-iii,,,,
21762,"Conservation Grazing to Improve Wildlife Habitat on Wildlife Management Areas",2014,600000,"M.L. 2013, Chp. 52, Sec. 2, Subd. 04i","$600,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to develop grazing plans and provide infrastructure to support conservation grazing on approximately 10,000 acres of targeted wildlife management areas in partnership with local livestock producers. Any revenue generated as a result of this appropriation must be reinvested in producing plans, conducting maintenance, or building infrastructure for new or existing conservation grazing efforts. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,600000,,,7.72,"MN DNR","State Government","Grassland ecosystems evolved to depend on periodic disturbances, such as fire and grazing, to maintain their health and stability. Periodic disturbances help control invasive species, add nutrients back into the soil, germinate plant seeds, enhance wildlife habitat, and more. In Minnesota habitat managers have used fire as a disturbance tool for decades but the use of grazing has been much rarer, mostly because of a lack of necessary infrastructure such as fencing. This appropriation is being used by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to provide the infrastructure needed to support conservation grazing on 10,000 acres of targeted wildlife management areas to demonstrate that grazing can be effectively and cost-efficiently implemented to improve grassland habitat quality and ecological integrity in Minnesota.",,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2013/work_plans/2013_04i.pdf,2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55045,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Douglas, Faribault, Grant, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-grazing-improve-wildlife-habitat-wildlife-management-areas,,,,
10031448,"Conservation Grazing for Birds, Beef, and Better Soil",2025,342000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 08f","$342,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Audubon Society, Minnesota office, to assess Audubon Conservation Ranching as a strategic approach to improve grassland biodiversity, soils, and ecosystem resilience. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,4.1,"Audubon Minnesota","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Assessing Audubon Conservation Ranching as a strategic approach to biodiversity conservation and grassland soils and vegetation ecosystem resilience.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2028-03-31,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Dale,Gentry,"Audubon Minnesota","2355 Highway 36 W Suite 400",Roseville,MN,55113,"(651) 274-1073",dale.gentry@audubon.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-grazing-birds-beef-and-better-soil,,,,
9826,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, Phase 4",2013,4990000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(i)","$4,990,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from = appropriations in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. $366,000 of this appropriation may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority shall be given to projects associated with existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; and aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority shall be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summaries that are prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.",,"Restored 4,933 acres, Protected 665 Acres, and Enhanced 44,797 acres for a total of 50,395 acres.",,915500,"Grantee match",4571600,6000,,3,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, managed by the Department of Natural Resources, provided 56 competitive matching grants to non-profit organizations and governments, appropriating all the available ML12 funds.",,"The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program (CPL) is managed by the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations, including governments. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants. CPL Program Staff solicited applications and worked with applicants to submit applications, oversaw the grant selection process, prepared and executed grant documents, reviewed expenditure documentation, made reimbursement payments, monitored grant work, assisted recipients with closing out their agreements, and prepared reports as required by LSOHC. Applicants describe the location of the work (county and ecological subsection), activity type, and habitat in their application. They also describe how their actions will benefit habitat and fish, game and wildlife. For acquisition projects, applicants describe their parcel selection process. Funds for projects under this appropriation were available until June 30, 2016. In administering this program, the DNR complied with the Department of Administration - Office of Grants Management policies. Stakeholders were involved in this proposal as applicants or reviewers (if no conflict of interest exists). There is no known stakeholder opposition to this program. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on the CPL website in August, 2012. This document contained grant program information, application requirements and scoring criteria, grant reporting requirements, and state agency contacts. A list of ECP Projects and criteria for each was developed by conservation biologists so grant applicants could easily apply and receive funding for commonly-accepted restoration and enhancement conservation projects. The RFP and grant agreements incorporated appropriate principles and criteria from LSOHC’s FY13 Call for Funding Requests and associated legislation. Simplified application processes were in place for applicants requesting up to $25,000 or ECP grants. Grants were selected for funding once in the full for the Traditional cycle, and ECP applications were approved continuously throughout the year by CPL staff. CPL staff reviewed applications to make sure they were complete and met grant program requirements. Technical Review Committee(s), selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, reviewed and scored applications based on established criteria. These committees included representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, state universities or private colleges, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other appropriate members from government, non-profit organizations, and private businesses. A final ranking committee made up of the Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry considered TRC, Division and Regional DNR comments, and recommended projects and funding levels to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The Commissioner made the final decisions on all projects funded and funding levels. Efforts were made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location and activity. CPL staff worked with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork was completed. Grantees submitted annual accomplishment reports, accounting for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report also included an evaluation of these results. A final report was required by all grantees. CPL staff submitted accomplishment reports to LSOHC. Accomplishment information was also posted on the CPL website. Grant administration costs were billed using actual costs. These costs included salary and fringe for grants staff, direct support services, travel, supplies, and expense. An internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) was developed with DNR’s Management Information Systems to update and manage the online grant application system. (This budget item is included in the Contracts line in the attached Budget Table.) Applicants were required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that are necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR. The Division of Fish and Wildlife staff provided ongoing technical guidance. This technical guidance helped applicants prepare grant proposals, and helped grantees meet requirements for working on state lands. Additional technical guidance was provided for land acquisitions, program planning and management, accounting and grantee payment. Grantees were paid on a reimbursement or “for services rendered” basis. Grantees must provide proof that the work was completed or a purchase made in order to receive payment. Grantees were required to provide a 10% match from nonstate sources. All match was verified before final grant payment were made.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jessica,Lee,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155-4020,651-259-5233,jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Brown, Carlton, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Douglas, Faribault, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kittson, Lake, Lincoln, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Nobles, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Renville, Rock, Sherburne, St. Louis, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-4,,,,
35036,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat - Phase VII",2016,6690000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(h)","$8,440,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, $3,692,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants shall not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants shall not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of this appropriation, $596,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner shall provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving or a charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land or a conservation easement, priority must be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, or by public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner shall provide notice of the grant program in the game and fish law summary prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2. ",,"Restored 2,549 acres, protected (in fee with state PILT liability) 352 acres, protected 34 acres (without state PILT), and enhanced 24,265 acres for a total of 27,200 acres ",,1731500,"Grantees/local support ",6672200,59000,,2,DNR,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","With the ML 2015 appropriation The Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program awarded 70 grants, 22 of these grants were the metropolitan area. Over 24,000 acres were enhanced, 2,500 acres were restored, and 386 acres protected through these 70 projects. Thirty-eight counties had CPL projects completed in them through 47 unique organizations. The average project for the ML 2015 grants was $96,000, with few exceptions most projects were completed on time and many were under budget. Additionally, the awarded grant partners contributed over $1.7 million in in-kind or cash match, far exceeding the 10% requirement.  ",,"The CPL Program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partners' grant program, encouraging and supporting local conservation efforts. $7,844,000 of the appropriated funds was available for grants. This is a stand along program but depends on the support and technical advice of local land managers, habitat and acquisition specialists, and support staff.  Grant activities include: enhancement, restoration, and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants. CPL staff develop a Request for Proposal and Program Manual incorporating LSOHC priorities, solicit applications, work with applicants to submit scorable applications, oversee grant selection, prepare/execute grant documents, review expenditure documentation, ensure financial integrity, make payments, monitor grant work, assist recipients with closing out agreements, and prepare required reports. CPL staff complies with the Department of Administration- Office of Grants Management policies. Application process:  A Request for Proposal/Program Manual was posted on the CPL website in August 2015. Document contains all grant program information.  Applications are submitted on the online grant application system. Applicants use the mapping tool in the application to map project sites. Applications are accepted until September 2015 for round 1 of all grant cycles. Expedited Conservation Project (ECP) applications and applications for less than $25,000 have a shorter application form. The application system accepts ECP applications until funding runs out, but is designed for 5 rounds of applications. Traditional (statewide) applications were accepted once, Metro applications were accepted twice, and ECP applications were accepted three times.  Grant Selection Process:  Cpl Grant Program Staff review applications for completeness. Technical Review Committees, selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, evaluate applications based on criteria below. A final score is given to all applications. Committees include representatives from the DNR, BWSR, UMN, USFWS, USFS, counties, and other local government and non-profit organizations. A final ranking committee of Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry consider the technical review committee, division and regional DNR comments, and recommend projects and funding to the Commissioner. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff, using criteria established for each type of project, and make recommendations. Division of Fish and Wildlife leadership make final decisions. CPL Grant Program Staff work with grantees to complete financial reviews, grant agreements, and other paperwork. Work may not begin until grant contract is executed. Applications are evaluated on these criteria:  Amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected Local Support Degree of collaboration Urgency Multiple benefits Consistency with current conservation science Adjacent to protected lands Full funding of project Budget/cost effectiveness Public access for hunting and fishing Use of native plant materials Applicants' capacity to successfully complete and sustain work Project Reviews and Reporting:  Grantees submit annual accomplishment reports on forms provided by CPL staff, based on LSOHC report forms. Reports account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report must include an evaluation of these results. A final report is required by all grantees 30 days after project completion. CPL Administration Budget: Grant administration costs total $144,000, include salary/fringe for grants staff, direct and necessary costs, travel, supplies, and expenses. An Internal Service Level Agreement (SLA) is developed with MNIT to update/manage the online grant application system.  DNR Land Acquisition Costs:  Applicants are required to budget for DNR Land Acquisition costs that are necessary to support the land acquisition process for parcels to be conveyed to the DNR. These costs are billed to awarded grants on a professional services basis DNR Technical Support:  The Division of Fish and Wildlife provides ongoing technical guidance, helping applicants prepare grant proposals and meet requirements for working on state lands. Project development and oversight is provided by area managers and additional guidance is provided for land acquisitions.  Grantee Payment:  Grantees are paid on reimbursement basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed or materials purchased, but before the vendor is paid by the grantee. Grantees provide proof that work is completed or a purchase made to receive payment. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to CPL staff before additional grant payments are made. Payment advances may be made for acquisitions with a signed purchase agreement. Partial payments are allowed. Funds are built into grants for required Legacy logo signage and forms of acknowledgement/notification including, but not limited to, local news advertisements announcing completion of grantees projects.   ",2015-07-01,2019-11-18,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Kathy ",Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5216",kathy.varble@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Murray, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Rock, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stevens, Washington, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-statewide-and-metro-habitat-phase-vii,,,,
10011423,"Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program Phase 11: Statewide and Metro Habitat",2020,10760000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(p)","$10,760,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Of this amount, at least $3,000,000 is for grants in the seven-county metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Grants must not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants must not be made from the appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost exceeding $575,000. Of the total appropriation, $445,000 may be spent for personnel costs and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement stewardship accounts. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by law. The program must require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less, the commissioner must provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota statutes, the commissioner of natural resources must, when evaluating projects of equal value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving, or a charter to receive, private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects. If acquiring land in fee or a conservation easement, priority must be given to projects associated with or within one mile of existing wildlife management areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.033 and 86A.05, subdivision 5; or aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The commissioner must provide notice of the grant program in the summary of game and fish law prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.",,"All CPL project requests include a Natural Heritage Database Review, which addresses wildlife species of greatest conservation need, the MN County Biological Survey data, and/or rare, threatened and endangered species inventories. These results are incorporated into the requests, along with mitigation measures if needed. Habitat value/species benefits is also one of the evaluation criterion used to score applications. When the projects are reviewed by the technical habitat experts, wildlife species of greatest conservation need, targeted species, and threatened/endangered species are all discussed, and add to the overall habitat quality and urgency of applications which is reflected in the scoring and funding recommendations.","A total of 33,353 acres were affected: 11,043 Restored, 300 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 22,010 in Enhance.",1699800,Grantees,8473600,22000,,2.0,DNR,"State Government","As of 11/1/2023, the CPL program has provided over 970 grants totaling $115 million to over 250 different grantee organizations, improving or protecting over 577,000 acres of habitat. Demand for CPL grants has continued to grow each year as new applicants hear about the program and successful grantees return. In ML 2019 there were 99 grants awarded- 15 metro grants, 29 traditional grants, and 55 Expedited Conservation Partners grants. Through these 99 grants, over 34,000 acres were restored, enhanced, or protected. Over $10.6M was awarded to organizations for projects.","The CPL program fulfills MS 97a.056 Subd. 3a, directing LSOHC to establish a conservation partner's grant program encouraging/supporting local conservation efforts. $10,315,000 was available for grants. Of this amount, up to $3,000,000 was used for projects in the 7-county metro area and in cities with a population of 50,000 people or greater. This is a stand-alone program, but depends on support/technical advice from public land managers and habitat and acquisition specialists. Grant activities included enhancement, restoration and protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match from non-state sources is required for all grants, and may be in-kind or cash. Applicants described the project, location, activity, habitat, benefit, etc. For acquisition projects, applicants described the parcel selection process. CPL Staff developed an RFP incorporating LSOHC priorities. Staff worked with applicants to submit applications, oversaw grant selection, prepared/executed grant documents, reviewed expenditures, approved payments/reports, monitored work, and assisted recipients with close-out. Staff complies with Office of Grants Management policies. The CPL program has 3 annual grant cycles- Traditional, Metro, and Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP). The Traditional and Metro cycles had two grant rounds with the first beginning August 2018. Projects under $25,000 will have a simplified application. The ECP grant cycle had four rounds of funding. CPL staff reviewed applications for completeness. Technical Review Committees, comprised of habitat experts across the state and approved by the DNR Commissioner, reviewed and scored Traditional and Metro applications based on evaluation criteria (see attached). The DNR Directors of Fish and Wildlife, Eco Waters, and Forestry reviewed the committee's recommendations and provide a final ranking to the Commissioner. Funding decisions were made by the Commissioner's office. ECP grants are reviewed by CPL staff and DNR habitat experts using established criteria. The Director of Fish and Wildlife made final funding decisions for ECP. Grantees were required to submit annual and final accomplishment reports. Grantees were paid on a reimbursement or ""for services rendered"" basis, meaning payment is made to the grantee after work has been performed. Proof that the vendor was paid must be submitted to staff before additional payments are made. Funds were advanced for acquisitions to accommodate cash flow needs.",,2019-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kathy,Varble,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5216,kathy.varble@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Washington, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/conservation-partners-legacy-grant-program-phase-11-statewide-and-metro-habitat,,,,
2100,"County Geologic Atlas and South-Central Minnesota Groundwater (MN DNR)",2010,1875000,"M.L. 2009, Chp. 143, Sec. 2, Subd. 03b2","$2,695,000 is from the trust fund for collection and interpretation of subsurface geological information and acceleration of the county geologic atlas program. $820,000 of this appropriation is to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the geological survey to continue and to initiate the production of county geologic atlases. $1,875,000 of this appropriation is to the commissioner of natural resources to investigate the physical and recharge characteristics of the Mt. Simon aquifer. This appropriation represents a continuing effort to complete the county geologic atlases throughout the state. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2012, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,,,,,"MN DNR","State Government","The Minnesota County Geologic Atlas program is an ongoing effort begun in 1982 that is being conducted jointly by the University of Minnesota's Minnesota Geological Survey and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The program collects information on the geology of Minnesota to create maps and reports depicting the characteristics and pollution sensitivity of Minnesota's ground-water resources. County Geologic Atlases are used in planning and environmental protection efforts at all levels of government and by businesses to ensure sound planning, management, and protection of land and water resources. This appropriation will: Support completion of geologic atlases for Todd, Carlton, McLeod, Carver, Benton and Chisago counties; Initiate geologic atlases for Anoka and Wright counties; Make collected data available in a digital format; Investigate the recharge and physical characteristics of the Mt. Simon Aquifer - the deepest bedrock aquifer of south central Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro area, which supplies all or some of the water needs of over one million Minnesotans. Work will be conducted in McLeod, Wright, Sherburne, and Isanti counties. PART 2: MN Department of Natural Resources Overall Project Outcome and Results Most data collected for the Mt. Simon - Hinckley aquifer Phase 2 study were derived from 16 wells installed at 10 locations to depths of 100 to 695 feet in McLeod, Wright, Hennepin, Sherburne, Anoka, and Isanti counties. In the Phase 2 area chemical residence time indicators from the Mt. Simon aquifer indicate groundwater ages less than approximately 1,000 years in eastern Wright and Sherburne counties and northern Isanti County. These relatively young groundwater ages are consistent with water level and stratigraphic information that indicate both direct and indirect connection of surface water to the Mt. Simon- Hinckley aquifer through localized focused recharge. This project has shown that the most critical recharge area for the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer and Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area water supply includes portions of Wright, Sherburne, and Isanti counties. Protection of this region from water pollution should be a high priority for all levels of government. Continued monitoring of wells installed for this investigation will create a long term record that can be used to interpret changes in local and regional water supply due to water use or climate changes. The County Geologic Atlas, Part B, portion of this project supported the completion of three and the initiation of six Part B atlases in the County Geologic Atlas series that the DNR prepares in collaboration with the Minnesota Geological Survey. Each Part B atlas provides groundwater maps, data describing aquifer properties and use, analytical results of groundwater chemistry sampling including age-dating samples, and interpretation of pollution sensitivity. All of these maps and data are used to meet many environmental information and protection needs, including resource protection planning, water resource management, water appropriation permitting, contamination mitigation, education, among others. The Todd, Carlton, and Benton Part B atlases were completed and the Carver, McLeod, Chisago, Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Sibley Part B atlases were initiated.   Project Results Use and Dissemination The reports from this project have been available on the DNR website since the summer of 2012. The Mt. Simon project was presented as a poster at the Midwest Groundwater Association meeting in Minneapolis in October 2012. We are currently producing a short (15 minute) video highlighting some of the results of the project for presentation at future meetings and for general viewing on the internet. In addition, a summary of the project will be submitted to the Minnesota Groundwater Association for inclusion in the quarterly newsletter. The well log and well construction information is currently available in the project report and the Minnesota Department of Health County Well Index (http://mdh-agua.health.state.mn.us/cwi/cwiViewer.htm). The wells have become part of the DNR observation well network. Water level data is currently available at: http://climate.umn.edu/ground_water_level/. Publication of Part B atlas reports include preparation and printing of the County Geologic Atlases, Part B, and delivery of printed reports to the county; preparation and delivery of Part B materials to MGS for inclusion in a DVD version of each completed project that incorporates geographic information system (GIS) files, database files, pdfs, and additional digital products. When each atlas Part B is completed a training workshop for the county and local users is held to explain the results and how the maps, data, and other information can be used to assist local water resource programs. To reach other users and audiences program staff contributed newsletter articles and presented talks and posters at conferences. Completed digital products are posted on DNR webspace at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groundwater_section/mapping/status.html. Printed reports are available for sale through MGS Map Sales at http://www.mngs.umn.edu/mapsales.html. Project Publication: South-Central Minnesota Groundwater Monitoring of the Mt. Simon Aquifer - Phase 2 ",,"Final Report ",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Jim,Berg,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5680,jim.berg@state.mn.us,"Analysis/Interpretation, Assessment/Evaluation, Inventory, Mapping, Monitoring, Planning","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Carlton, Carver, Chisago, Sherburne, Sibley",,"Chippewa River",http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/county-geologic-atlas-and-south-central-minnesota-groundwater-mn-dnr,,,,
10031468,"Dent and Vergas Spur Trails",2025,934000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 09j","$934,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Otter Tail County to construct a trail along County State-Aid Highway 35 to connect the cities of Dent and Vergas to the Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail and Maplewood State Park to provide recreation and nonmotorized transportation opportunities.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,,"Otter Tail County","Local/Regional Government","Construction of a 6.6 mile bituminous trail along CSAH 35 connecting the cities of Dent and Vergas to the Heart of the Lakes Regional Trail and Maplewood State Park",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2025-12-31,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Kevin,Fellbaum,"Otter Tail County","520 Fir Ave. W.","Fergus Falls",MN,56537,"(218) 998-8492",kfellbau@co.ottertail.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dent-and-vergas-spur-trails,,,,
10006516,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase X",2019,2786000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(a)"," $2,786,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire lands in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota satutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Acres of habitat acquired that support endangered, threatened and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of prairie acquired. Acres of habitat acquired that support upland gamebirds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented..",,,,,2773900,12100,,0.24,DNR,"State Government","Acquire 470 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area (Prairie Planning Section) or Scientific and Natural Area (Prairie, and Northern Forest Planning Sections) emphasizing Prairie Conservation Plan implementation and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA’s are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping). Accomplishments are based on $5,000 per acre average and should be considered a minimum estimate. ","Approximately 470 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs, 350 acres) and Scientific & Natural Areas (SNAs, 120 acres). While no match is indicated in this proposal, Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have been matched by donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition) at approximately 25% (1 dollar of match to 4 dollars of OHF).Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access, and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the Prairie Ecological planning section where public ownership in many counties is 2 percent or less. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tool to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level.Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing conditions and priorities. This ensures that funds are used to acquire available lands consistent with the statutory purpose of WMAs. The WMA acquisition program is guided by the 2002 Citizens' Committee report developed with a diverse group of eleven major stakeholder groups. Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication and identify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners has been successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels. Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly.Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners’ written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and restoration of agricultural fields and minimal parking area development.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jay,Johnson,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Brown, Cook, Cottonwood, Hubbard, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Murray, Norman, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-x,,,,
10011394,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase XI",2020,2519000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(a)","$2,519,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire lands in fee for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Acres of habitat acquired that support nesting and migratory habitat and upland birds and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented..Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of prairie acquired. Acres of habitat acquired that support upland gamebirds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented..",,,,,2486600,32400,,1.115,DNR,"State Government","Acquire approximately 400 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area (Prairie Planning Section) or Scientific and Natural Area (Prairie, and Forest/Prairie Planning Sections) emphasizing Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan implementation and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA’s are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping). ","Approximately 400 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas. While no match is indicated in this proposal, Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have been matched by donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition) at approximately 20%.Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access, and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the Prairie Ecological planning section where public ownership in many counties is 2 percent or less. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tool to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level.Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing conditions and priorities. This ensures that funds are used to acquire available lands consistent with the statutory purpose of WMAs. The WMA acquisition program is guided by the 2002 Citizens' Committee report developed with a diverse group of eleven major stakeholder groups. Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication and identify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners has been successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels. Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly.Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners’ written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and restoration of agricultural fields and minimal parking area development.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jay,Johnson,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Murray, Norman, Pipestone, Polk, Stearns, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-xi,,,,
10019619,"DNR Grassland Phase XIII",2022,3534000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(l)","$3,534,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period",,,,,3448800,85200,,1.5,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR's history of enhancing and restoring grasslands, embedded wetlands, and oak savannas to increase wildlife populations. The Prairie Plan, Pheasant Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts to ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on parcels that are permanently protected and most open to public hunting, including DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements, State Forests, as well as federal WPAs and NWRs.","In many farmland counties less than five percent of the area is in public wildlife lands, often much less. We continue to lose about 200 acres of native prairie per year. While Minnesota does have acres enrolled in CRP as well as state programs such as RIM and CREP, there is still very little grassland left in many counties of the state. As such, we need to make sure the remaining grasslands, especially those open to public recreation are as diverse and productive as possible. These lands provide wildlife habitat as well as Wildlife and pollinator populations are a fraction of what they were even a decade ago. Water quality, especially nitrate contamination, is a human health and wildlife issue. Restoring and enhancing grasslands are one of the most effective ways to improve all of these issues. Grassland and wetland restoration and enhancement, carefully guided by planning, is one of the best ways to address many of these issues. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland lose diversity and productivity. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. This request is part of larger efforts among the grassland community. For instance, in July 2020, multiple partners worked together to submit a SAFE (State Acre For wildlife Enhancement) to FSA to boost CRP acres in Minnesota.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Benton, Big Stone, Brown, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Murray, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Roseau, Sherburne, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-xiii,,,,
10019620,"DNR Roving Crews",2022,4500000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(r )","$4,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat on permanently protected lands statewide using the roving crew program of the Department of Natural Resources. A list of restoration and enhancement projects must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as moose, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period. They recently published the first results of this project",,,,,4255500,244500,,34,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands and wetlands in western Minnesota continues to be the most threatened habitat in the state. At the same time, the DNR continues to work to make the state's forests more productive for wildlife, timber, and other compatible uses. This request will realign and streamline previous funding requests by placing all DNR Roving Crews under a single proposal and appropriation. This proposal will enhance wildlife habitat on permanently protected lands, most of which are open to public hunting. These include DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, NPB easements, State and National Forests, as well as WPAs and NWRs","Roving Crews are fully equipped to conduct a range of habitat projects. The staff on these crews are solely dedicated to habitat enhancement and restoration. They do not work on infrastructure or non-habitat projects. In the prairies and western prairie pothole wetlands, they focus on prescribed burns, tree removal, grassland restorations, removal of old fencing, installing fenceposts for conservation grazing. In wetlands the focus is on wild rice collection and seeding, water control structure repair, wetland restorations with earth moving equipment, invasive species control, cattail spraying, and sediment removal. Forest projects include prescribed burns in fire-dependent forests and brushlands; tree seeding, planting, protection, and/or release of species such as oak and winter cover such as conifer; mowing and shearing of brushlands; maintenance of wildlife openings; and control of invasive species. While forest harvest is a valuable tool for many types of forest habitat enhancement, there are some habitat enhancements that harvests don't do or enhancements that can be done post-harvest to quickly improve habitat quality for wildlife. This can be especially true for practices such as shearing brushlands, where there isn't a strong economic incentive but numerous species of wildlife require these habitats for all or some stages of life. Prescribed fire can be used more to stimulate oak/acorn production for wildlife and improve pine forests as well as set back invasives. Making these habitat productive and diverse benefits wildlife as well as benefits native pollinators and commercial beekeepers. Enhancing all of these habitats maximizes the ecosystem services these habitats provide such as nitrate filtration, floodwater capture, and groundwater recharge, all in addition to the wildlife benefits. In the farmland region, we continue to lose ground on wetlands and grasslands. Therefore, its critical that the remaining public and protected habitats are in as high a quality as possible to both produce resident wildlife, such as pheasants, and be attractive to migratory wildlife, waterfowl that breed to our north. This proposal will fund the three existing 8 person grassland/wetland Roving Crews located east of Crookston (DNR Region 1), Lac Qui Parle (Region 4), and Rosemount (Region 3). This will also fund the newly established (ML19/FY20 appropriation) 6 person crew south of Fergus Falls and northeast forest crew (ML20/FY21 appropriation). We estimate that on a good to average year the crews will enhance over 28,000 acres of habitat annually across the state.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55055,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Lake of the Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Redwood, Roseau, Stearns, Washington","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-roving-crews,,,,
10019621,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase XIII",2022,1948000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(a)","$1,948,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Acres of habitat acquired that support endangered, threatened and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Acres of habitat acquired that support nesting and migratory habitat and upland birds and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented. Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of grassland/wetland habitat complexes acquired that support upland game birds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented",,,,,1935100,12900,,0.2,DNR,"State Government","Acquire approximately 325 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area or Scientific and Natural Area in the LSOHC Prairie, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest Planning Sections emphasizing Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan and Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan guidance, and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA's are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping).","Approximately 325 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas. While no match is indicated in this proposal, Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have historically been enhanced through donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales to be used in part for land acquisition). Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and develop and manage these lands and waters for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife watching and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access, and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the LSOHC Prairie Planning Section where public ownership in many counties is 2 percent or less. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tool to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level. Criteria and weights are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing priorities. This ensures funds that are used to acquire lands align with DNR strategic priorities and support the 2002 Citizens' Committee report and the Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan for WMA acquisition. Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication andidentify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners hasbeen successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels. Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly. Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners' written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and parcel initial development.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jay,Johnson,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5248",jay.johnson@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Chisago, Crow Wing, Faribault, Kandiyohi, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Stearns, Watonwan, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-xiii,,,,
10027638,"DNR Grasslands - Phase IX",2018,3950000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(i)","$3,950,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, Native Prairie Bank land, bluff prairies on State Forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service waterfowl production area and refuge lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Prairie habitats once covered one-third of the state but presently less than 2% remain. Native prairie, other grasslands that provides habitat for wildlife, and wetlands are key components of functional prairie landscapes that have the capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions. While these appropriation only added 2,085 acres of grassland acres to the state through restoration, these funds enhanced a much larger area. Put in another fashion, we restored and enhanced 69.5 square miles with these funds. That's an area 8.3 by 8.3 miles in area. None of this work was targeted at a specific species of wildlife. We used that approach that diverse productive habitats benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife species as well as any threatened or endangered species. In our restorations, we use very diverse seed mixes. This is obviously beneficial for pollinators. However, all those insects also create a food base for a large number of wildlife species. The structural diversity all those plant species create in the habitat allow every species to find an ideal niche in the grass as well as accomodates different life history stages of wildlife.","A total of 40,539 acres were affected: 1,191 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 39,348 in Enhance.",,,3586000,190400,,7.5,DNR,"State Government","We restored and enhanced a total of 40,539 grassland acres with 446 activities on Wildlife Management Areas, Scientific and Natural Areas, Native Prairie Bank easements, Waterfowl Production Areas, and National Wildlife Refuges.","We select projects using a number of criteria and reviews to make sure the DNR and our federal partners, the USFWS, were spending these funds in the best and most productive ways. We can summarize our results in the following table. Brome conversion 76 Interseeding 51 Grassland restoration 1,191 Prescribed Fire 36,079 Herbaceous Invasive Control 1,503 Goat Browsing - woody removal281 Woody Removal 1,358 TOTAL 40,539 This appropriation involved the Southeast Roving Crews. These Crews allow the DNR to be very flexible. While they have a list of projects to work on, they can also respond fairly quickly if there's an enhancement opportunity shows up. For instance, a short dry period in a part of the state may allow them to conduct a late summer prescribed fire which was not in any of the original work plans. Roving Crews have begun experimenting with different burn seasons. The DNR will be hosting a workshop later this fall to discuss the science and management behind seasonal burns so that all staff and partners can continue to learn new applications for old tools. This appropriation included a partnership with the USFWS. They were able to bring in 'detailers', federal crews from outside MN to dramatically enhance their capacity and ability to enhance wildlife habitat on WPAs and Refuges. The final acres reported here are reduced from our recent Status Updates. In further conversations with the USFWS, we calculated the number of detailers, number of in-state fire staff, and pro-rated the acres to account for this ratio. We were also able to experiment with goat browsing in the SE to control buckthorn. SNA staff will monitor these sites over the coming years. This may provide a way to reduce chemical use and integrate some new and emerging agricultural practices, goats, into habitat management for the benefit of wildlife and the agricultural economy. The DNR has traditionally focused on game species such as pheasants. However, there is more and more interest in pollinators and biodiversity. Fortunately, just about every study out there shows that management and restoration for pollinators and songbirds often creates the best habitat for game species. Diverse, healthy, productive habitat is good for a wide range of species. These projects can also increase the amount of carbon absorbed and stored by the plants and soils on these sites. As we continue to use these funds, costs for projects will probably increase. In the early years of these funds, we completed a number of simpler or easier projects, the low-hanging fruit. Now we are left with the larger and more challenging projects. In our budget table, we prorated our budget for individual projects by the acres accomplished. Staff funding was combined into one value. Identifying funding for each position would be an accounting challenge.",,2017-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grasslands-phase-ix,,,,
10017806,"DNR Forest Habitat Enhancement",2021,1773000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 3(d)","$1,773,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the northern forest region in wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, aquatic management areas, and state forests. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Northern Minnesota forests will be enhanced to provide biologically diverse wildlife habitat for both desirable game species and endangered, threatened, special concern, and species of greatest conservation need, providing multiple conservation benefits in the face of climate change, invasive species, and other major stressors, and increased satisfaction from hunters and other recreational users. Wildlife populations and hunter satisfaction will be monitored",,,6500,"Ruffed Grouse Society",1683900,89100,,4,DNR,"State Government","Minnesota's iconic northern forest habitats, along with their interlaced wetlands and brushlands, are in need of management for the future due to stressors such as invasive species and climate change. This request will enhance and restore up to 3,250 acres of habitat in the Northern Forest Region on WMAs, AMAs, State Forests, and SNAs to increase forest health and resilience, and ultimately wildlife populations, through activities of a roving crew over three years. DNR's conservation Agenda, and Wildlife Action, Forest Action, SNA Strategic Land Protection and SFRMP Plans, will guide operations to ensure strategic, targeted work.","Northern Minnesota's forest habitats include towering pines, dense aspen, spruce bogs, and oak with broad arching branches, with rivers, lakes, sedge meadows, and brushlands intermixed. These habitats are home to a wide array of wildlife, including species in greatest conservation need such as moose, sharp-tailed grouse, American woodcock, and the black-throated blue warbler. They also provide clean water, outdoor recreation and products, sequester carbon, and support local communities. However, our forests face increasing stress from invasive species, climate change, lack of management, conversion, and fragmentation. If we are to address these stressors, and sustain the health of forest habitats on state lands which DNR is entrusted to steward for Minnesota citizens and the multiple benefits they provide, we must begin now to support management activities that are above and beyond normal timber harvest. For example, timber harvest can create a wildlife opening, however other management such as periodic mowing is needed to maintain it. This request seeks funding to enhance and restore up to 3,250 acres of habitat over three years on WMAs, AMAs, State Forests, and SNAs in the Northern Forest Region. Strategic and targeted work will be accomplished through the added capacity of a roving habitat crew modeled after the successful crews in the remainder of Minnesota. The crew will conduct activities which support healthy, diverse and resilient habitats, allowing the habitats to better withstand stressors, and address the need to complete small or unique projects for which vendors are lacking. Activities may include invasive species control; firebreak development and maintenance, and prescribed burns in fire-dependent forests, brushlands and wetlands which have lacked management; wildlife opening maintenance; tree removal, girdling, brush mowing/shearing, and support of conservation grazing in openland and brushland habitats; tree planting and protection to reforest and restore habitats, add conifer to the landscape, provide thermal cover, diversify forests, and address ash stand management; tree release, such as enhancing oak management for mast production; forest regeneration site prep; seed and acorn collection; restoration site prep; broadcasting and drilling of seed; stream bank stabilization; ditch closure; and dike removal to enhance forest wetlands. A majority of the projects will occur on State Forests and WMAs which are all open to public access for a wide range of outdoor recreational activities including hunting. Enhancement and restoration activities will be guided by DNR's Conservation Agenda, Wildlife Action Plan, Forest Action Plan, SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan, and Section Forest Resource Management Plans. A DNR team of Fish and Wildlife, Forestry, and Ecological and Water Resources staff will request projects that meet plan and program priorities from state land managers, prioritize and select projects, develop a schedule, annually evaluate accomplishments and the budget, adapt, and seek additional projects as needed. The Ruffed Grouse Society will provide financial support of $6,500 over the three year period. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd, Box 20 ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, St. Louis, St. Louis","Northern Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-forest-habitat-enhancement,,,,
10017807,"DNR Grassland Phase XII",2021,4432000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(l)","$4,432,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period",,,,,4241300,190700,,7.22,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR's history of enhancing and restoring grasslands, embedded wetlands, and savannas to increase wildlife populations. The Prairie Plan, Pheasant Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts and ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on parcels that are permanently protected and most open to public hunting. These include DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements, State Forests, as well as federal WPAs and NWRs.","In many farmland counties less than five percent of the area is in public wildlife lands, often much less. Since 2007, Minnesota has lost nearly a million acres of CRP. Last fall, another 203,000 acres expired from the program. Under the new Farm Bill, it's unclear how many of those lost habitat acres the state will recover. Wildlife and pollinator populations are a fraction of what they were even a decade ago. Water quality, especially nitrate contamination, is a human health and wildlife issue. Restoring and enhancing grasslands are one of the most effective ways to improve all of these issues. Because of the losses of grassland and wetland habitat across western Minnesota both historically and in recent years, it is that much more important that the public grasslands in Minnesota are as productive as possible for wildlife and pollinators. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland lose diversity and productivity. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. Contract work for prescribed fire, woody species removal, invasive species control, grassland restoration, and other enhancement efforts. WMA Habitat Enhancement and restoration (9,5000 acres) over five years ? $2,409,400 Continuing funding for DNR Region 3 (Southeast) Rover Crew (35600 acres) over five years - $1,213,700 This request will restore and enhance native prairies on SNAs and Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements as described above for WMAs. SNA/NPB Enhancement and restoration (800 acres) over five years? $812,300",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Wilkin","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-xii,,,,
10031475,"DNR County Groundwater Atlas",2025,3200000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 03j","$3,200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to continue producing county groundwater atlases to inform management of surface water and groundwater resources for drinking and other purposes. This appropriation is for Part B, to characterize the potential water yields of aquifers and aquifers' sensitivity to contamination.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,16.6,"MN DNR","State Government","This project supports continuing development of County Groundwater Atlases for approximately three years. The goal is to provide this valuable water and resource management information infrastructure to every county.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Vanessa,Baratta-Person,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5685",vanessa.baratta@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-county-groundwater-atlas-1,,,,
20694,"DNR Wildlife Management Area, Scientific and Natural Area and Native Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition",2014,4783400,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$4,940,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8; acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5; and acquire native prairie bank easements under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96. Up to $42,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17, for native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed land and permanent conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected (in fee with state PILT liability) 2169 acres and protected (in easement) 387 acres for a total of  2556 acres ",,593400,"Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM), Small Game Surcharge ",4738100,45300,,.31,DNR,"State Government","Work resulting from this appropriation resulted in the acquisition, development, and inclusion of 2,095 acres into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system, 74 acres into the the state Scientific and Natural Area system, and through easement acquisition added 387 acres to the state Native Prairie Bank. ",,"Through this appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie, forest prairie transition, northern forest, and metro urbanizing ecological sections. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All acquisitions were a result of a relationship with a willing seller. We scored them using a GIS based tool that assigns points based on the natural resource attributes along with other ecological and management criteria. We then ranked them in importance based on their score and input from local DNR land managers. All acquisitions where then subject to County Board review and approval. Ten WMA parcels and one SNA totaling 2,169 are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. This eclipsed our Accomplishment Plan goal for acquisition by 561 acres. In addition we protected 387 acres through easement in Native Prairie Bank. ",2013-07-01,2019-11-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Patrick,Rivers,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Brown, Clearwater, Hubbard, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Pennington, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Wadena, Wilkin, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wildlife-management-area-scientific-and-natural-area-and-native-prairie-bank-easement-a,,,,
20717,"DNR Grassland Phase 5",2014,2220000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(g)","$2,220,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Wetland and upland complexes  consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. ",,,,2201900,178400,,8.25,DNR,"State Government","The following table provides a short summary of the accomplishments under this appropriation.  In total, the DNR enhanced and restored 283 sites for a total of 17,087 acres.   Activity                     Sites             Acres Diversity Seeding      42               1,031 Prescribed Burn        148            10,365 Restorations               4                    144 Woody Removal       92                 5,666 ",,"This report begins with a few specific examples of the outcomes of these projects.  I also include a larger overview of how these funds in general benefit the conservation community.   Tree removal on Popular WMA essentially “reclaimed” an open prairie wetland being overtaken by an overgrown fringe of black willow and cottonwood.  The wetland basin saw very little in the way of waterfowl usage prior to the project, but has been used to a much greater degree by dabbler ducks since the project.  The Area Wildlife Manager has directed several inquiring parties to this wetland for waterfowl hunting opportunity since the project was completed.  The elimination of the trees likely increased nesting success as those clumps of trees are no longer harboring skunks, raccoon, opossum, and avian predators.  Perhaps most importantly, the project eliminated the seed source of cottonwoods from being broadcast into the adjacent prairie reconstruction area. The prescribed burn on Benderberg WMA triggered an excellent response in the native wet prairie remnant.  It was largely an after-thought at this was former pasture, but the presence of fire really benefitted the native plant community.  There was even some hand- harvest opportunity for species like wood lily.  Without the roving crew and the MarshTracker, an Rx burn on this site would not have been possible.  This was the first time much of this ground had seen a fire in over 4 decades.  The plan is to periodically maintain this WMA with fire going forward and to maintain/enhance the wet prairie community that so wonderfully responded to it the first time around. These funds were used to complete more than 50 acres of woody control projects on the Lake Bronson and Two Rivers Aspen Parkland Scientific and Natural Areas.  These projects were part of an ongoing multi-year strategy to combat the encroachment of woody vegetation into high quality native prairies.  In addition to setting back encroaching willows and aspen, the Lake Bronson SNA project appeared to have positive impacts on the sites population of western prairie fringed orchids (a Federally threatened species) as the second highest number of orchids ever recorded on the site were counted the spring following the project.   One untold stories is the cooperation between conservation agencies and NGOs in Minnesota.  In some states, feds don’t like the state, and the NGOs fight among themselves.  In Minnesota, we all get along really well.  This is evidenced in partnership efforts that developed the Prairie Plan and Pheasant Plan.  One early fear with OHF is that this would cause these groups to start bickering over the resource.  In fact, the exact opposite has happened.  It has pulled us together and increased cooperation.  One example of that is our collective seed harvest and grassland restoration efforts.  In at least two areas, most notably Detroit Lakes and the Glacial Lakes area, multiple agencies/NGOs are coordinating their seed harvest and restoration efforts.    Partners are looking 1 to 3 years ahead on restoration efforts.  Seed production is best on burned sites.  Partners are determining what units and what soil types they want to restore each year.  Then they find native tracts or high diversity restorations with similar soil types.  These sites are prioritized for burning in the spring.   Once the site is burned, partners again work together to harvest and store the seed in the fall.  The seed is then distributed to the DNR, USFWS, TNC or other partners.  The seed is spread on the sites in the late winter or early spring.  In some cases, agency/NGO staff are harvesting the seed.  In other cases, they work with local contractors to harvest the seed.   Harvesting local seed is both cost-effective and when harvesting native tracts ensures we, collectively, are using a diverse mix of local ecotype seed.   Again, the OHF has helped developed new partnerships and projects that would not have happened or that would have happened at a much smaller scale with these critical funds.   Because this is a programmatic appropriation, it’s difficult to assign a dollar amount to a specific project.  Because of this and the large number of projects, we simply assigned dollars to projects proportional to acres completed in that project.  In the same way, we proportionally assigned dollars to personnel based on FTEs.     ",2013-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wabasha, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-5,,,,
9818,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Program, Phase 4",2013,3480000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$3,480,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee or permanent conservation easements for aquatic management areas under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan. Up to $25,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund and a description of annual monitoring and enforcement activities.",,"Restored 66 acres, protected in fee 58 acres and protected in easement 93 acres of habitat ",,2736400,"Mix of cash and in-kind time from Olmsted County, City of Orononco, and Dam Safety bonding money contributed towards the Zumbro River project, Landowner donation, RIM, Game and Fish Fund, and Fish and Wildlife Acquisition Account. ",3480000,,,1,DNR,"State Government","We used a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement for lakes, trout streams, and rivers across all LSOHC planning regions of Minnesota.",,"This appropriation funded a mixture of restoration, enhancement, and protection of aquatic habitat by the DNR. We were successful in completing our proposed projects, and in meeting may of the goals included in our accomplishment plan. The different projects accomplished from this appropriation are summarized below.Habitat protection was accomplished using a mixture of fee title and easement acquisition. For easements we purchased 11 parcels on trout streams located on either the North Shore or in southeast Minnesota. Easements will protect 5.3 miles of stream and 94 acres of habitat. Fee title acquisition protected 5 parcels of lakeshore, including one parcel that was purchased with funds from both ML2011 and ML2012 funding. Acreage and shoreline feet protected have been pro-rated between appropriations based in their respective contribution to the purchase price. A total of 2.6 miles of shoreline and 58 acres of habitat are protected by these parcels. The amount of habitat protected in easement and fee title falls short of our proposed outcomes for this appropriation. Because land values vary across the state it is difficult to anticipate how much habitat can be protected for a given amount of money. It is also hard to anticipate the amount of landowner donation we will receive. We were successful in leveraging an additional $1.3 million toward protection work from a mixture of sources, including landowner donation.The Mille Lacs Lake shoreland enhancement involved the removal of breakwall from a former marina that is now a DNR Aquatic Management Area. Breakwall was removed along 455 feet of shore and returned to a natural shoreline, with native riparian vegetation planted in all areas. This habitat will benefit fish species using the nearshore area of the lake as well as other wildlife such as birds, reptiles and amphibians that use a mixture of nearshore and riparian habitat.The Kingsbury Creek stream restoration project removed masonry walls that had been built along the banks through that reach and were limiting habitat. The project also included constructed a new stream channel through a reach that had previously been impounded by a dam. The stream channel was resized to appropriate dimensions, and habitat structures such as toe wood, rootwads, and cross vanes were installed. The project will benefit resident brook trout as well as steelhead that spawn and rear juveniles in Kingsbury Creek.A fish passage project at Shell Lake converted a dam into an arch-rapids, allowing fish to migrate in and out of the lake freely. Fish passage is especially important at Shell Lake, which is subject to occasional partial winter-kills. Recolonization from the Shell River will help the lake to recover from these events. This project was added to our original accomplishment plan and completed using surplus funds realized due to cost savings from other projects.A second stream habitat enhancement project was done using surplus funds. This one was located on the Pomme de Terre River, where a riffle and adjoining streambank was enhanced to provide better habitat in a former reservoir where the dam had been removed several years previous.Backwater habitat on the Mississippi River within Weaver Bottoms was enhanced to create critical backwater habitat that had been lost due to decades of sedimentation. The deepwater habitat is critical for many fish species such as bluegill and black crappie that over-winter there. The nine acres of newly enhanced habitat has shown high use by Mississippi River fish, and anglers have taken notice and are using the area as well.This appropriation funded a portion (along with the DNR's ML2013 Aquatic Habitat) of the restoration of the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River through a former impoundment known as Lake Shady. The dam had washed out in a 2011 flood, leaving behind an eroding mud flat that threatened to harm downstream reaches as it eroded, and contained poor habitat in the channels that had cut through the mud. The former dam site's grade was stabilized by creating a rapids of stable rock material, and within the former reservoir new stream channels with appropriate dimensions were constructed. Habitat in the new channels was restored to include woody material as well as rocky riffles. Re-vegetation of the surrounding reservoir sediments with native plant species will provide quality riparian and upland habitat as well. The project was completed in partnership with Olmsted County ($125,736), the city of Oronco ($83,824) and DNR Dam Safety bonding funds ($1,000,000) all contributing funding. An additional $236,540 of in-kind staff time was contributed by Olmsted County. In addition to the 147 acres of habitat restored, the project opened up access to 119 miles of stream.Stream habitat work for this appropriation and other LSOH-funded projects from other appropriations was aided by funding for a stream restoration coordinator and intern. These positions aided in survey work, design, permitting, contracting, and coordination with project partners on these complex projects. The coordinator also worked on assessing other potential projects for future LSOHC proposals.",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Brian,Nerbonne,"Mn Dept of Natural Resources","1601 Minnesota Drive",Brainerd,MN,56401,651-259-5205,brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Hubbard, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Redwood, Renville, Rice, St. Louis, Stearns, Wabasha, Washington","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-program-phase-4,,,,
23917,"DNR Grassland Phase VI",2015,1458800,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(h)","$1,530,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairie communities in wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, aquatic management areas, state forest land, and land under native prairie bank easements. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Restored 113 acres and enhanced 11,594 acres for a total of 11,707 acres. ",,,,1380000,126400,,1.5,DNR,"State Government","With this appropriation, the DNR enhanced and restored over 11,700 acres of public lands or permanently protected private lands under easement.  Projects under this appropriation included prescribed fire, prescribed or conservation grazing, woody removal, and enhancing plant diversity.  With this appropriation we were able to exceed our target acreage by 38 percent.   ",,"This project was a little different from the typical DNR grassland enhancement appropriations in that it did not include a Roving Crew and it was a little more focused on the south east part of the state than other DNR grassland enhancement appropriations have been.  That said, the types of projects are similar to what we've done in the past.  What makes this appropriation different, perhaps, is not the few large showcase projects we do, but the collective impact and benefits of many smaller projects on the landscape.   With this funds we were able to conduct prescribed fires on over 6000 acres and remove woody vegetation from almost 2000 acres of grassland.  Both of these types of projects are critical to grassland wildlife, especially birds.  Multiple studies have shown that nesting success of both game birds and songbirds is significantly impacted by woody vegetation.  Some species won't nest near tall trees and these trees also provide habitat for several types of nest predators.   There were several efforts to increase grassland diversity in brome or bluestem monocultures totaling 250 acres as well as restoration of over 100 acres.  This should increase habitat quality for pollinating insects as well as increase the abundance of insects that serve as a critical high protein food resource, especially for egg-laying birds and fast-growing young chicks.   We also completed invasive species control on over 2700 acres of grassland. This should in turn increase native plant diversity and increase pollinator habitat.   One area new for this appropriation is conservation grazing, although in this case much of it could be referred to as conservation browsing.  Goats were used in some cases for grazing prairie, especially on steep slopes.  These areas are often dangerous for equipment and the goats reduce reliance on chemicals.  Below is one description from DNR staff of this type of project.   ""At Mound Prairie SNA, west of Hokah, MN, goats have spent multiple seasons grazing two bluff prairies cleared of eastern red cedar trees and invasive brush, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle.  The goats were able to reduce the vigor of the woody vegetation, allowing native grasses and forbs an opportunity to grow.  Using goats reduced the amount of chemical needed to control the invasive woody brush! There is now a sufficient grass component to facilitate prescribed burning.""       A similar project in central Minnesota shows the benefits of cedar removal to prairie plants and wildlife.    ""Starting in 2016 and continuing into 2019 invading trees and brush were removed from about 25 acres of rock outcrop and wet prairie at Cedar Rock SNA in Redwood County.  The work was done in two phases; first large trees (mostly cedar) were cut, treated, piled and burned.  Two years later a follow-up pass was made to control buckthorn which had grown after the removal of the taller trees.  Although formal post-treatment surveys have not been conducted; previously undocumented rare plants are apparent and the area appears to harbor a broad array of both plant and animal species."" One area that gets little attention in habitat work is the ecosystem benefits of that work.  Again, numerous studies have shown that grassland restoration is a very good way to remove carbon from the air, helping to mitigate climate change.  Even prescribed burning, because it stimulates root growth will help remove carbon from the air and store the carbon in the soil.   As always, monitoring continues to be an issue with all these projects, both at the individual site and the larger landscape.  The conservation partners in the state, including DNR, FWS, TNC, and others, continue to work to develop statistically rigorous ways of addressing these questions.   Attached are a series of images from Mound Prairie SNA (word doc) and Cedar Rock SNA (indiv jpgs).  The Mound Prairie images show the impacts of cedar removal in the SE.  The Cedar Rock aerial images show how cedars were only scattered over the site in the 1930s, covered the site before this project, and how these funds help open up a large area to prairie.   For this final report, dollars for each project are pro-rated based on the acre percentage for each project relative to the budget.   ",2014-07-01,2019-10-31,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Greg ",Hoch,"DNR Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-vi,,,,
23924,"DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific & Natural Area Acquisition",2015,8145000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$8,145,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Of this amount, $4,250,000 is for the Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area addition in Dakota County. Money appropriated in this paragraph may not be used to acquire any portion of the Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area Addition that is or will be subject to the removal of gravel or other mining activities. Any funds not spent on the Vermillion River Wildlife Management Area addition must be used for acquisition of land in the seven-county metropolitan area. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. Subject to the evaluation criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land and permanent conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Protected 1,733 acres in fee with State PILT Liability. ","achieved proposed outcomes",2884600,"RIM ",8014600,38000,,0.74,DNR,"State Government","Work resulting from this appropriation resulted in the acquisition, development, and inclusion of 1,733 acres into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system.  We exceeded the projected acres by 56% and exceeded leverage by nearly 20%. ",,"Through this appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie, and metro ecological sections. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All acquisitions were a result of a relationship with a willing seller. We scored them using a GIS based tool that assigns points based on the natural resource attributes along with other ecological and management criteria. We then ranked them in importance based on their score and input from local DNR land managers. All acquisitions where then subject to County Board review and approval. Ten WMA parcels totaling 1,733 acres are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. This eclipsed our Accomplishment Plan goal for acquisition by 620 acres! ",2014-07-01,2021-10-29,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Patrick,Rivers,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Chisago, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Lyon, Murray, Norman, Rice, Stearns, Swift, Wright","Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wildlife-management-area-and-scientific-natural-area-acquisition,,,,
35017,"DNR Aquatic Habitat - Phase VII",2016,4540000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$4,540,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire interests in land in fee and permanent conservation easements for aquatic management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 86A.05, subdivision 14, and 97C.02, to acquire interests in land in permanent conservation easements for fish and wildlife habitat under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.66, and to restore and enhance aquatic habitat. Up to $130,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"22 Habitat acres Restored.  52 Habitat acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.  347 Forest acres and 132 Habitat acres (for a total of 479 acres) Protected in Easement. 330 Prairie acres and 535 Habitat acres (for a total of 865 acres) Enhanced.  1,418 total acres impacted. ",,405100,"Sustain our Great Lakes and BWSR Flood Assistance - South St. Louis SWCD general fund ",4415700,65700,,0.5,DNR,"State Government","We will use a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement of lakes and streams across all the LSOHC planning regions of Minnesota. ","   ","Stream projects were prioritized based on the DNR's Stream habitat Priority List, where projects were ranked based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded five stream projects, several of which involved external partners. Individual project details are outlined below. Stewart River Restoration: The Stewart River channel restoration project used Natural Channel Design to restore 4,500 of premier trout stream in Northeastern Minnesota. Historic logging and a berm located in the floodplain had significantly impacted the stream. The project was designed and implemented to create trout habitat including deep pools, overhead cover and abundant spawning gravels. The project also removed the confines of the berm and reconnected the stream with the floodplain. A 100 year flood affected the project just a few years after implementation. Some damage was caused, but the objectives of the projects were still met once repairs were made in 2019 using DNR FAW funding. Mission Creek Restoration: DNR partnered with South St. Louis SWCD to compete this project on Mission Creek. The Mission Creek channel restoration project restored 3150 feet of stream near Duluth, Minnesota. This stream was historically altered and had an in-stream trash rack which affected fish passage and the stability of the stream. The 2012 flood caused the stream to blowout around the trash rack resulting in a highly aggraded and unstable stream. The trash rack was removed and the dimension, pattern and profile of the stream was restored. Additionally, 8.4 miles of the stream was reconnected with the removal of the trash rack. During design, a historic native burial site was discovered just downstream of the project site. This slowed down design as we needed to sort through the risks to artifacts and find a tribal inspector to be onsite during construction. In the end we were able to do the project with oversight from the tribe. No artifacts were discovered during construction. Construction finished in June of 2020. North Branch of Whitewater River Restoration: This channel restoration project took place within Whitewater State Park in a location that previously had riprap installed on the bank for stabilization. This riprap failed at least two times so a stream restoration was implemented to better address the issues causing the bank erosion. The project utilized toe-wood sodmat to protect the bank and reshaped the channel dimension, pattern and profile based on a nearby stable reference reach. During construction it was found that the bed and bank material were particularly difficult for toe-wood sodmat installation. A unique technique using a trenching bucket was employed to get the toe-wood sod mat installed correctly. Another impact of the bed and bank materials was that it was difficult to get vegetation established. This project had to have additional work done after the original construction was finished. Due to lack of vegetation, a large flood and being in a flashy watershed, some of the stream features were impacted after the flood. Following the damages, the natural pattern that the river laid out was utilized to improve the overall project. The project was replanted with additional straw protection. Since the adjustments were made, the project has been stable and the vegetation is getting established. Cottonwood River Restoration: DNR partnered with Redwood County to complete this restoration. This project was originally funded to provide fish passage at three dams by modifying the dams to rock arch rapids structures. However during the course of project development, at two of the dam sites, the grantee opted to install riffles along the river corridor to slowly step the river down and to provide more habitat than originally anticipated. Two of the dam sites now have 6-7 riffles and deep pool associated with those riffles. Fish use these pools as is evident by the anglers seen at various riffles. Fish have also been seen passing through the riffles to get upstream. Construction of this project started in February of 2020; that spring construction was put on hold due to high flows and the COVID pandemic. However, as the flows were rising the contractor continued to work. This proved to be an issue when the contractor was unable to finish installing that riffle. As a result, the unfinished structure caused some significant erosion; this lead to additional work at that riffle site for the contractor once flows receded. The COVID- 19 pandemic significantly limited the ability of Department staff to provide construction oversight which would likely have avoided the contractor working in rising flows. Construction of the projects were finished in fall of 2020. Overall the project accomplished the goals of fish passage and has the added benefit of additional habitat along the river corridor. Driftless Area Habitat Enhancement: The DNR's Fisheries Construction crew used this appropriation to purchase rock and equipment rental to enhance 15 acres of stream habitat in the Driftless Area of Minnesota. Shoreline protection accomplished with this appropriation consisted of two fee-title acquisitions, nine trout stream easement acquisitions, and three Forest for the Future conservation easements. The two fee-title acquisitions protected 52 acres and 4,825 feet of undeveloped shoreline . All nine trout stream easement acquisitions were in the SE Forest Ecological Section. Two easement acquisitions were initiated in the Northern Forest Section, but neither was successfully concluded. The nine trout stream easements protect a total of 132 acres and 31,150 feet of stream. The Forest for the Future project prioritized protecting forests in high priority cisco lake watersheds. With this project, one 32 acre easement was purchased in the Kabekona watershed (Hubbard County), 122 acres in the Ten Mile lake watershed (Cass County), and 193 acres in the Pelican watershed in Crow Wing County. Two large easement acquisitions were not completed when the landowners chose not to accept the DNR offer. These acquisitions were scheduled to be completed close to the end of the appropriation availability and we did not have enough time to move on to other parcels. Therefore, we did not meet goals for easement acquisition and funds were returned to the Council. ",2015-07-01,2021-10-05,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Martin,Jennings,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5176",martin.jennings@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Clay, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lake, Le Sueur, Meeker, Mower, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Redwood, Scott, St. Louis, Wabasha, Winona, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-phase-vii,,,,
35031,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition - Phase VII",2016,4570000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$4,570,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land and permanent conservation easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"1,253 Prairie acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.  671 Forest acres Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability.  Total of 1,924 cares protected.  ",,507300,"Wildlife Surcharge, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match Program, Landowner donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match Program ",4239200,14100,,0.29,DNR,"State Government","Acquire 910 acres of high priority habitats for designation as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas emphasizing Prairie Conservation Plan implementation and coordinating with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting, fishing and trapping. ",," Through this appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie and northern forest ecological sections. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All acquisitions were a result of a relationship with a willing seller. We scored them using a GIS tool that assigns points based on the natural resource attributes along with other ecological and management criteria. We then ranked them in importance based on their score and input from local DNR land managers. All acquisitions where then subject to County Board review and approval. Eleven WMA parcels and two SNA totaling 1,924 acres are now permanently protected as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. This eclipsed our Accomplishment Plan goal for acquisition by 1,014 acres! ",2015-07-01,2021-11-09,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Patrick,Rivers,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5209",pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Murray, Norman, Pine, Polk, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-vii-0,,,,
35057,"DNR Grassland - Phase 8",2017,3983000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(j)","$3,983,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas on wildlife management areas, scientific and natural areas, native prairie bank land, and bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Prairie habitats once covered one-third of the state but presently less than 2% remain. Native prairie, other grasslands that provides habitat for wildlife, and wetlands are key components of functional prairie landscapes that have the capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions. While these appropriation only added 2,085 acres of grassland acres to the state through restoration, these funds enhanced a much larger area. Put in another fashion, we restored and enhanced 69.5 square miles with these funds. That's an area 8.3 by 8.3 miles in area. None of this work was targeted at a specific species of wildlife. We used that approach that diverse productive habitats benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife species as well as any threatened or endangered species. In our restorations, we use very diverse seed mixes. This is obviously beneficial for pollinators. However, all those insects also create a food base for a large number of wildlife species. The structural diversity all those plant species create in the habitat allow every species to find an ideal niche in the grass as well as accomodates different life history stages of wildlife.","A total of 44,506 acres were affected: 2,081 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 42,425 in Enhance.",,,3762900,172000,,7.11,DNR,"State Government","We restored 2,081 acres of grassland and enhanced 42,425 acres of grassland for a total of 44,506 acres of wildlife habitat across 329 sites with these funds.","We select projects using a number of criteria and reviews to make sure the DNR was spending these funds in the best and most productive ways. We can summarize our results in the following table. Project Type Acres # Sites Grassland Restoration 2,085 63 Prescribed Fire 36,896 159 Woody removal 4,461 60 interseed / diversity enhancement 500 27 Conservation grazing infrastructure 120 1 Prescribed Browsing-woody control (goats) 299 9 Herbaceous Invasive Control 145 10 Sum 44,506 329 This appropriation involved the Roving Crews. These Crews allow the DNR to be very flexible. While they have a list of projects to work on, they can also respond fairly quickly if there's an enhancement opportunity shows up. For instance, a short dry period in a part of the state may allow them to conduct a late summer prescribed fire which was not in any of the original work plans. Roving Crews have begun experimenting with different burn seasons. Typically, we burn in the spring before the nesting season. However, this can stimulate the warm-season grasses and begin to crowd out forbs, lowering plant diversity. Burning in the late summer, after birds have fledged but with enough time for some late summer regrowth, has shown to increase both plant diversity as well as structural diversity in the habitat. Just as important, it can knock back the dominant grasses such as big bluestem and Indian grass just enough for forbs to express themselves the following year. Although 44,506 acres appears to be a large number, we feel the actual acres benefitted may be much larger. We know nest predation of grassland birds is higher near woody vegetation and some birds just won't nest near woody veg. By removing trees, we are impacting both the footprint of where those trees were but also the surrounding grassland, up to a half mile from the project, where nest success should now be higher. We installed grazing infrastructure on one site and used goats to browse undesirable and invasive woody plants. This will accomplish two goals. FIrst, we will get good habitat work on our public lands. Second, its a way to further develop a working lands approach to land management and incorporate conservation work into the state's agricultural economy. I have personally visited a number of public lands grazing sites in western Minnesota and have always been impressed with what I've seen. Although grazing is a summer activity, I've flushed a number of birds, both pheasants and songbirds, from these areas in the fall. Often the biggest benefit to grazing comes in the first couple years after grazing as the habitat is regrowing. Although there is still much to learn, we have learned a lot in recent years about restoration techniques. We still use several methods for restoring prairie and there's probably no one perfect way of doing it. It's very clear to someone when they are walking through a recent restoration and an older restoration. Even if they can't identify every plant, the diversity people see is striking. The DNR has traditionally focused on game species such as pheasants. However, there is more and more interest in pollinators and biodiversity. Fortunately, just about every study out there shows that management and restoration for pollinators and songbirds often creates the best habitat for game species. Diverse, healthy, productive habitat is good for a wide range of species. These projects can also increase the amount of carbon absorbed and stored by the plants and soils on these sites. As we continue to use these funds, costs for projects will probably increase. In the early years of these funds, we completed a number of simpler or easier projects, the low-hanging fruit. Now we are left with the larger and more challenging projects. While they are good habitat projects, they will probably increase in costs over time. In our budget table, we prorated our budget for individual projects by the acres accomplished. Staff funding was combined into one value. Identifying funding for each position would be an accounting challenge.",,2016-07-01,2022-11-04,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"DNR Wildlife","500 Lafayette Rd ","St. paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5230",greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Morrison, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Roseau, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-phase-8,,,,
10033385,"DNR Grassland Enhancement - Phase 14",2023,3088000,"ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(i)","$3,088,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period",,,,,2989500,98500,,3.15,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR's history of enhancing and restoring grasslands, embedded wetlands, and oak savannas to increase wildlife populations. The Prairie Plan, Pheasant Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts to ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on parcels that are permanently protected and most open to public hunting, including DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements, State Forests, as well as federal WPAs and NWRs.","In many farmland counties less than five percent of the area is in public wildlife lands, often much less. We continue to lose about 200 acres of native prairie per year. While Minnesota does have acres enrolled in CRP as well as state programs such as RIM and CREP, there is still very little grassland left in many counties of the state. As such, we need to make sure the remaining grasslands, especially those open to public recreation are as diverse and productive as possible. These lands provide wildlife habitat as well as Wildlife and pollinator populations are a fraction of what they were even a decade ago. Water quality, especially nitrate contamination, is a human health and wildlife issue. Restoring and enhancing grasslands are one of the most effective ways to improve all of these issues. Grasslands and embedded wetlands are also very good at sequestering and storing carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Grassland and wetland restoration and enhancement, carefully guided by planning, is one of the best ways to address many of these issues. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland lose diversity and productivity. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. The SNA program will be funding the same Seasonal and Technician positions they have requested in the past. This year we are adding Contract Administration staff, which we have done every 3-4 years in the past. We are adding two Prairie Restoration Biologists, which are new positions. These positions will work with staff and vendors to help design seed mixes for restorations, work with contractors/vendors to order seed and seed supply issues, and help coordinate seed harvest programs and consortiums around the state. Last, they will assess past OHF funded prairie restorations and address specific management questions in an adaptive management framework to help inform staff and develop/modify BMPs for future restoration work. They will communicate these results and refinements to BMPs back to DNR staff and the conservation community multiple times each year at professional meetings and field days.",,2022-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Nicollet, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-enhancement-phase-14,,,,
10033893,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement - Phase 11",2024,4122000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(u)","$4,122,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - For the Kingsbury Creek project, we will evaluate instream habitat as well as brook trout populations to assess success. For the Rock Dam project, warmwater fish communities will be assessed before and after project completion. Our AMA enhancement program will monitor all projects to insure that outcome goals are being met by looking at the diversity and abundance of native plant species that are supported by project sites as compared to pre-project. Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - For the Bucks Mill Dam and Eden Lake Dam projects, we will compare warmwater fish communities before and after project completion. We will also compare catch rates for critical species before and after project completion as indicators of population density changes. Our AMA enhancement program will monitor all projects to insure that outcome goals are being met by looking at the diversity and abundance of native plant species that are supported by project sites as compared to pre-project. Improved aquatic habitat indicators - For the Cascade Creek and Tischer Creek Dam projects, we will evaluate instream habitat and use routine fish surveys to gauge changes to the fish community to compare to pre-project data.Our AMA enhancement program will monitor all projects to insure that outcome goals are being met by looking at the diversity and abundance of native plant species that are supported by project sites as compared to pre-project. Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - Our AMA enhancement program will monitor all projects to insure that outcome goals are being met by looking at the diversity and abundance of native plant species that are supported by project sites as compared to pre-project. The Whiskey Creek, Florida Creek, Roseau River, Skandia WMA, and South Branch of the Buffalo River channel restoration projects in this region will improve in-channel and riparian habitat. We will use metrics that evaluate instream and floodplain habitat to assess our success. For the Lower Sakatah Lake Dam and Lake Sarah Dam fish passage projects, we will use routine fish surveys to gauge changes to the fish community, and compare with pre-project data",,,712000,"National Water Quality Initiative",4038600,83400,,4,DNR,"State Government","The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) will complete six fish passage projects to reconnect reaches of habitat for fish and other aquatic life, restore 71 acres on eight rivers to create over six miles of diverse habitat, and enhance 224 acres of riparian and terrestrial habitat on Aquatic Management Areas. The footprint of fish passage projects is small, but projects will reconnect over 290,000 acres of lake and river habitat. Stream projects were selected from a statewide list, prioritized by factors such as ecological benefit, scale of impact, urgency of completion, and local support.","The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) annually updates a statewide list of stream habitat projects. Submissions come both from MNDNR staff and from partner organizations. Projects are prioritized based on scale-of-impact, urgency, local support, and critical habitat for rare species. Based on this list, MNDNR and our partners are proposing six fish passage projects and eight channel restorations, leveraging over $712,000. Access to different habitats is critical for fish and other aquatic organisms to complete various life stages. The habitats they use to spawn, live as juveniles, over-winter, and feed as adults may all be different. These habitats can be fairly unique, such as high-gradient riffles favored by many spawning fish, and may be miles apart. When dams or other obstructions prevent aquatic life from reaching ideal habitat, they are forced to use less optimal locations that can reduce their success. In some cases this leads to the complete loss of sensitive species upstream of a barrier. Modifying or removing the barriers through our six proposed fish passage projects would have a footprint of 6 acres, but create upstream access to over 290,000 acres of lake and river habitat. This will benefit fish such as Walleye, Northern Pike, and Brook Trout present in these rivers, as well as five mussel species classified as threatened or special concern. Streams naturally form habitat through the meandering of the river. Deeper, slower habitat is created by scour into the bed of the river around the outside of bends, while faster water and a rockier bottom is found in the straight sections in between. Wood, overhanging vegetation, and boulders serve as cover and current breaks for fish. In degraded sections of river, these natural processes are disrupted. Some reaches have been artificially straightened, preventing the meandering that forms diverse habitat. In other places, streams have become surrounded by tall banks that prevent high flows from spilling out onto a floodplain. When floods are trapped within the stream channel, the river erodes the banks. This not only mobilizes tons of sediment that degrades downstream habitat, but results in a wide, shallow channel during low-flow periods that is avoided by adult fish. Channel restoration projects will address these issues by using Natural Channel Design methods, which bases design on a reference location with high-quality habitat. Working with partners, we will restore over 17 miles of habitat on eight streams. These restored reaches also will connect upstream and downstream reaches of quality habitat. We propose to enhance 224 acres of riparian habitat and associated uplands on 33 Aquatic Management Areas (AMA). The DNR manages these lands to protect critical shoreline habitat used by spawning fish, waterfowl, wading birds, reptiles and amphibians. Uplands in these parcels provide a buffer to protect water quality, and habitat for more terrestrial species. Our enhancement work includes shoreline plantings, invasive species control, and prescribed burns. Projects are selected based on management guidance documents that have been written for each AMA.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jamison,Wendel,"Minnesota DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5205,jamison.wendel@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Carver, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hubbard, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Le Sueur, Marshall, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Redwood, Rice, Roseau, Scott, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-11,,,,
10033939,"DNR Grassland Enhancement Phase 15",2024,3003000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(h)","$3,003,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period",,,,,2905600,97400,,1.67,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR's history of enhancing and restoring grasslands, embedded wetlands, and oak savannas. The Prairie Plan, Pheasant Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts to ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on 5,700 acres parcels that are permanently protected and most open to public hunting using prescribed fire, tree removal, high-diversity seedings, and similar practices.","In many farmland counties less than five percent of the area is in public wildlife lands, often much less. We continue to lose about 200 acres of native prairie per year. While Minnesota does have acres enrolled in CRP as well as state programs such as RIM and CREP, there is still very little grassland left in many counties of the state. As such, we need to make sure the remaining grasslands, especially those open to public recreation are as diverse and productive as possible. These lands provide wildlife habitat as well as pollinator habitat and ecosystem services such as floodwater capture and groundwater recharge. Wildlife and pollinator populations are a fraction of what they were even a decade ago. Water quality, especially nitrate contamination, is a human health and wildlife issue. Restoring and enhancing grasslands are one of the most effective ways to improve all of these issues. Grasslands and embedded wetlands are also very good at sequestering and storing carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Grassland and wetland restoration and enhancement, carefully guided by planning, is one of the best ways to address many of these issues. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland lose diversity and productivity. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. The SNA program will be funding the same Seasonal and Technician positions they have requested in the past. The Prairie Restoration Specialist builds on a program we started with the last appropriation. The DNR and partners have been restoring grasslands with OHF support for over a decade. This provides a unique opportunity to evaluate and assess these projects. Each restoration should be seen as an opportunity to learn and improve the next seeding using adaptive management or continuous improvement models. These staff will focus specifically on OHF funded grassland restorations and developed fine-scale, long-term assessments of these projects. They will communicate these results and refinements to BMPs to the conservation community and be a conduit for information between the science community and restoration practitioners. Using this information, these staff will work with practitioners and vendors to continue to refine seed mixes, planting practices, and post-restoration management.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Carlton, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Roseau, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-enhancement-phase-15-0,,,,
10033940,"DNR Roving Crew Phase 2",2024,8732000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(v)","$8,732,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat on permanently protected lands throughout Minnesota using the roving crew program of the Department of Natural Resources. A list of restoration and enhancement projects must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as moose, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period. They recently published the first results of this project",,,,,8173700,558300,,34.25,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands and wetlands in western Minnesota continues to be the most threatened habitat in the state. At the same time, the DNR continues to work to make the state's forests more productive for wildlife, timber, and other compatible uses. This request will realign and streamline previous funding requests by placing all DNR Roving Crews under a single proposal and appropriation. This proposal will enhance wildlife habitat on permanently protected lands, most of which are open to public hunting. These include DNR WMAs, SNAs, AMAs, NPB easements, State and National Forests, as well as WPAs and NWRs","Roving Crews are fully equipped to conduct a range of habitat projects. The staff on these crews are solely dedicated to habitat enhancement and restoration. They do not work on infrastructure or non-habitat projects. In the prairies and western prairie pothole wetlands, they focus on prescribed burns, tree removal, grassland restorations, removal of old fencing, installing fenceposts for conservation grazing. In wetlands the focus is on wild rice collection and seeding, water control structure repair, wetland restorations with earth moving equipment, invasive species control, cattail spraying, and sediment removal. Forest projects include prescribed burns in fire-dependent forests and brushlands; seed harvesting and planting, seedling planting, protection, and/or release of species such as oak and winter cover such as conifer; mowing and shearing of brushlands; maintenance of wildlife openings; and control of invasive species. While forest harvest is a valuable tool for many types of forest habitat enhancement, there are some habitat enhancements that harvests don't do or enhancements that can be done post-harvest to quickly improve habitat quality for wildlife. This can be especially true for practices such as shearing brushlands, where there isn't a strong economic incentive but numerous species of wildlife require these habitats for all or some stages of life. Prescribed fire can be used more to stimulate oak/acorn production for wildlife and improve pine forests as well as set back invasives. Making these habitat productive and diverse benefits wildlife as well as benefits native pollinators and commercial beekeepers. Enhancing all of these habitats maximizes the ecosystem services these habitats provide such as nitrate filtration, floodwater capture, and groundwater recharge, all in addition to the wildlife benefits. In the farmland region, we continue to lose ground on wetlands and grasslands. Therefore, its critical that the remaining public and protected habitats are in as high a quality as possible to both produce resident wildlife, such as pheasants, and be attractive to migratory wildlife, waterfowl that breed to our north. This proposal will fund the three existing 8 person grassland/wetland Roving Crews located east of Crookston (DNR Region 1), Lac Qui Parle (Region 4), and Rosemount (Region 3). This will also fund the newly established (ML19/FY20 appropriation) 6 person crew south of Fergus Falls and 4 person northeast forest crew (ML20/FY21 appropriation). This will be a total of 34 crew staff. We estimate that on a good to average year the crews will enhance over 28,000 acres of habitat annually, or 56,000 acres over two years, across the state.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55055,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Cook, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Kandiyohi, Lake of the Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Redwood, Roseau, Stearns, Washington","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-roving-crew-phase-2-0,,,,
10033943,"DNR WMA & SNA Acquisition - Phase 15",2024,2340000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(h)","$2,340,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to the evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Acres of habitat acquired that support endangered, threatened and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Acres of habitat acquired that support nesting and migratory habitat and upland birds and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented. Key core parcels are protected for fish, game and other wildlife - Acres of grassland/wetland habitat complexes acquired that support upland game birds, migratory waterfowl, big-game, and unique Minnesota species (e.g. endangered, threatened, and special concern species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need). Species lists (and numbers where available) of those species observed or documented",,,,,2323600,16400,,0.14,DNR,"State Government","Acquire approximately 275 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area or Scientific and Natural Area in the LSOHC Prairie, Forest/Prairie Transition, and Northern Forest Planning Sections emphasizing Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, Conservation That Works 3.0, WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan and SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with priority given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA's are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping).","Approximately 275 acres of wildlife habitat will be protected through fee title acquisition and development as Wildlife Management Areas or Scientific & Natural Areas. While the state cannot promise leverage or match without first having funding appropriated, previous Outdoor Heritage appropriations to DNR for WMA and SNA acquisitions have been leveraged through donations, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, and Surcharge (a $6.50 surcharge on small game license sales). Wildlife Management Areas. WMAs protect lands and waters which have a high potential for wildlife production and provide for public hunting, fishing and trapping, and for other compatible outdoor recreational uses such as wildlife viewing and hiking. While highly successful, the current WMA system does not meet all present and future needs for wildlife habitat, wildlife population management, hunter access and wildlife related recreation. This is notably true in the LSOHC Prairie Planning Section where public ownership in many counties is less than 5 percent. DNR Section of Wildlife uses a GIS-based tools to identify the highest priority tracts for potential WMA acquisitions. This quantitative approach scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a set of weighted criteria and creates a standardized method for evaluating proposed acquisitions on a statewide level. Criteria are periodically reviewed and adapted to changing priorities. Scientific & Natural Areas. The SNA Program will increase public hunting and fishing opportunities while protecting sites with outstanding natural values. Protection is targeted at high priority areas identified in the SNA Strategic Land Protection Plan with emphasis on prairie core areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. A quantitative system scores and ranks acquisition proposals based on a weighted set of six criteria. Priority is given to sites of high and outstanding biodiversity significance by the Minnesota Biological Survey, high quality native plant communities and habitat for endangered and threatened species. Larger parcels which adjoin other conservation lands, improve habitat management, are under imminent threat and are partially donated are also rated highly. DNR strategic acquisition priorities include, but are not limited to, protection of: Prairies, Grasslands, and associated Wetlands Existing, high quality significant or rare natural resources Water resources Critical pollinator habitat essential for native species and agricultural crops Large blocks of habitat or natural intact communities, that improve riparian and terrestrial connectivity or maintain ecosystem services through protection of climate resilient, high biodiversity areas Potential acquisition opportunities from willing sellers are coordinated with stakeholders and partners to eliminate duplication and identify concerns and support. Coordinating with partners has been successful to ensure we are working cooperatively and on priority parcels. Properties acquired through this appropriation require County Board of Commissioners' written approval in the county of acquisition, will be designated as WMA or SNA through a Commissioner's Designation Order, brought up to minimum DNR standards, and listed on the DNR website. Basic site improvements will include boundary and LSOHC acknowledgement signs and may include any necessary site cleanup and parcel initial development.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jeff,Tillma,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55110,,jeff.tillma@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cass, Chisago, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Faribault, Hubbard, Le Sueur, Murray, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Stearns, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-sna-acquisition-phase-15-0,,,,
10035233,"DNR Grassland Enhancement - Phase 16",2025,1427000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e )","$1,427,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.","Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. This includes surveys such as pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and woodcock, which are all dependent on open areas. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Migratory game and non-game birds will be some of the primary beneficiaries of this work. We hope to continue to strengthen partnerships with the University of Minnesota to incorporate graduate students into research and monitoring work. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna - Monitoring will take place with the base level monitoring conducted by DNR staff and staff from other agencies/NGOs. Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species - Monitoring will primarily be done through studies conducted by the DNR's Ecological and Water Resources Division of key indicator species such as timber rattlesnakes. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - The multi-agency/NGO Grassland Monitoring Team (GMT) has developed standardized protocols for sampling grassland vegetation and a number of the sites on this request will be sampled over the 5 year period",,,,,1363700,63300,,1.36,DNR,"State Government","Grasslands continue to be the most threatened habitat in the state. This programmatic request will build on the DNR's history of enhancing and restoring grasslands. The Prairie Plan and Wildlife Action Plan will guide our efforts to ensure we are operating in a strategic and targeted manner. This proposal will enhance and restore grasslands on 2,856 acres that are permanently protected using prescribed fire, tree removal, high-diversity seedings, and similar practices. Most lands enhanced with these funds are public and open to hunting.","In many farmland counties less than five percent of the area is in public wildlife lands, often much less. We continue to lose about 200 acres of native prairie per year. While Minnesota does have acres enrolled in CRP as well as state programs such as RIM and CREP, there is still very little grassland left in many counties of the state. As such, we need to make sure the remaining grasslands, especially those open to public recreation are as diverse and productive as possible. These lands provide wildlife habitat as well as pollinator habitat and ecosystem services such as floodwater capture and groundwater recharge. Wildlife and pollinator populations are a fraction of what they were even a couple decades ago. Water quality, especially nitrate contamination, is a human health and wildlife issue. Restoring and enhancing grasslands are one of the most effective ways to improve all of these issues. Grasslands and embedded wetlands are also very good at sequestering and storing carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. These efforts can be an important part of the state's Climate Action Framework. Grassland and wetland restoration and enhancement, carefully guided by planning, is one of the best ways to address many of these issues. This programmatic request seeks funding to enhance grassland habitat on permanently protected grasslands and prairies, most of which are open to public hunting. Without periodic management to simulate historical disturbance patterns, grassland lose diversity and productivity. Invasive species may increase and woody vegetation will encroach into the grasslands, changing their very character and the species that inhabit the area. The activities listed in this proposal will use BMPs for grassland enhancement and diverse local ecotype seed mixes for restoration. These activities will include prescribed fire, installing grazing infrastructure, tree removal, seeding to increase plant diversity, and restoring cropland to grassland.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Greg,Hoch,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Cottonwood, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Murray, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Roseau, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-enhancement-phase-16,,,,
10011392,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase 2",2020,3208000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(g)","$3,208,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"There are 68 species of greatest conservation need that utilize headwaters to large streams, including birds, turtles, frogs, fish, and insects. Stream habitat projects are not designed with one species in mind, but instead are intended to benefit multiple functions and habitats of the river both within the stream and in the riparian area, which will have benefits for rare species. Diverse, healthy, productive habitat is good for a wide range of species. None of this work was targeted at a specific species of wildlife or fish. We used the approach that diverse productive habitats benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game species as well as any threatened or endangered species. In our restorations, we use very diverse seed mixes. This is obviously beneficial for pollinators. However, all those insects also create a food base for a large number of wildlife species. The structural diversity all those plant species create in the habitat allow every species to find an ideal niche in the grass as well as accommodates different life history stages of wildlife. Prairie habitats once covered one-third of the state but presently less than 2% remain and this habitat is key for many threatened and endangered species. Native prairie, other grasslands that provides habitat for wildlife, and wetlands are key components of functional prairie landscapes that have the capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions. This project enhanced and restored over 250 acres of prairie habitat which will meet the needs of threatened and endangered species that rely on this critical habitat.","A total of 1,306 acres were affected: 54 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 1,252 in Enhance.",279000,"Buffalo/Red River Watershed District",3200400,7600,,None,DNR,"State Government","This DNR Aquatic Habitat appropriation used a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat restoration, and enhancement of lakes and streams across all the LSOHC planning regions. Two large stream restoration projects totaling 54 acres were completed with this appropriation. Also, habitat enhancement projects were completed on 51 Aquatic Management Areas, totaling 1252 acres. Stream habitat work for this appropriation and LSOHC-funded projects from other appropriations was aided by funding for a stream restoration coordinator and interns. These positions aided in public outreach, survey work, design, permitting, contracting, and coordination with project partners on these complex projects.","Stream projects were prioritized based on the DNR's Stream habitat Priority List, where projects were ranked based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded two stream projects, both of which involved multiple external partners. Individual project details are outlined below. Gorman Creek Stream Restoration. Gorman Creek is a headwaters stream that was historically straightened. As a result, the stream was significantly incised and lacked habitat diversity. This project restored about 2430 feet of Gorman Creek and 2450 feet of the tributary. This project addressed bank and stream bed sources of sediment by applying appropriate dimension, pattern and profile to the mainstream channel. By restoring geomorphic stability of the stream and reconnecting the river with the floodplain, this project enhanced riparian corridors and buffers, improved fish habitat and passage, addressed and reduced bed/bank erosion, and improved water quality. Stony Creek Stream Restoration. The primary purpose of this project was to improve the ecology of the river system by restoring 24,816 feet of a ditched stream to a stable and functioning channel. The project established a natural channel profile, reconnected the stream to the floodplain, and improved riparian habitat by establishing a 340 ft wide vegetated riparian buffer. There are approximately 21 species of fish in the project area that will benefit from improved habitat and water quality. AMA Enhancement: This appropriation includes funding for personnel tasked with assessing habitat needs on Aquatic Management Areas (AMAs), writing management guidance documents that outline projects, and overseeing project implementation. AMA Specialists completed 5 new site assessments, bringing the total number of AMAs assessed since June 2014 to 253. To date, 170 Management Guidance Documents have been completed. An additional 36 Management Guidance Documents are in various stages of review. In this appropriation staff also planned or oversaw enhancement projects on 51 AMAs, totaling 1252 acres. The Stream Restoration Coordinator attended watershed planning meetings and identify critical projects for landscape planning, met with partners discuss scope of project (e.g. dam modification/removal options), attended and presented at public hearings and answer questions from the public, attend various partner meetings (e.g. City Councils, board meetings etc.), developed the project with the partner to ensure the partner supports the project and maximizes ecological gains, advised and coordinated with partners to understand contracted policy requirements both technically and administratively, obtained partner resolutions to proceed with the project, navigated permitting and environmental review needs, called for proposals, ranked projects, developed LSOHC applications, contracts, and reimbursement, conducted design reviews and approval, performed final walk through and project construction sign off, and completed financial reconciliation. NR Specialist been working on culvert data analysis and QA/QC review of the data this summer, digitization of results from formerly surveyed watersheds to be distributed to the National Aquatic Barrier Inventory and for internal DNR use, outreach at various work groups, and aided in various construction projects needs. EWR interns have completed the Crow Wing watershed culvert inventory.",,2019-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Dean,Paron,"MN DNR","525 S Lake Ave Suite 415 Box 20",Duluth,MN,55802,651-259-5205,dean.paron@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Blue Earth, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hubbard, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lake, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Rice, Scott, St. Louis, Wabasha, Washington, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement-phase-2,,,,
10011393,"DNR Grasslands - Phase XI",2020,8861000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(i)","$8,861,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Prairie habitats once covered one-third of the state but presently less than 2% remain. Native prairie, other grasslands that provides habitat for wildlife, and wetlands are key components of functional prairie landscapes that have the capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions. None of this work was targeted at a specific species of wildlife. We used that approach that diverse productive habitats benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife species as well as any threatened or endangered species. In our restorations, we use very diverse seed mixes. This is obviously beneficial for pollinators. However, all those insects also create a food base for a large number of wildlife species. The structural diversity all those plant species create in the habitat allow every species to find an ideal niche in the grass as well as accommodates different life history stages of wildlife.","A total of 48,341 acres were affected: 1,690 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 46,651 in Enhance.",,,7584000,352400,,14.28,DNR,"State Government","We restored and enhanced 48,341 acres with 521 projects on Wildlife Management Areas, Scientific and Natural Areas, and Native Prairie Bank Easements.","We select projects using a number of criteria and reviews to make sure the DNR were spending these funds in the best and most productive ways. We can summarize our results in the following table. Brush removal 3 Interseeding 1,786 Invasives control 437 Prescribed fire 33,876 Prescribed browsing (goats) 137 Woody removal 10,296 Grassland restoration 1,690 TOTAL ACRES 48,431 Originally, this appropriation covered the northwest Roving Crew and added a new, fifth, Roving Crew in west-central Minnesota. The language also included two years of funding for the USFWS's Prescribed Fire program. This was our largest grassland request to date and also the appropriation most affected by Covid. We were unable to hire the west-central Roving Crew in a timely fashion due to state hiring freezes. At the same time, the USFWS received IRA funding and returned their second year of funding. While the DNR was able to put most of these dollars to good use, the acre to dollar ratio for fire is usually much higher compared to hiring contractors for tree removal or similar other enhancements. To use up some of the unspent Roving Crew funds, we moved southeast and southwest Roving Crews to this appropriation for one year. While all of this was happening, we were also trying to transition all the Roving Crews to the stand-alone appropriations. Given those issues, we did not reach our anticipated acreage accomplishment. That said, we still managed to enhance 48,431 acres of grassland. Put another way, that's 75.7 square miles of grassland enhancement, or a strip of habitat 0.3 miles wide stretching from Moorhead to St Paul. The Roving Crews allow the DNR to be very flexible. While they have a list of projects to work on, they can also respond fairly quickly if there's an enhancement opportunity shows up. The DNR and partners continue to host field days each summer to learn about management practices such as prescribed fire, conservation grazing, etc. Finally we were also able to continue experimenting with goat browsing in the SE to control buckthorn. SNA staff will monitor these sites over the coming years. This may provide a way to reduce chemical use and integrate some new and emerging agricultural practices, goats, into habitat management for the benefit of wildlife and the agricultural economy. The DNR has traditionally focused on game species. However, there is increasing interest in pollinators and biodiversity. Fortunately, just about every study out there shows that management and restoration for pollinators and songbirds often creates the best habitat for game species. These projects can also increase the amount of carbon absorbed and stored by the plants and soils on these sites. All of these projects, directly or indirectly, fit within the state's Climate Action Framework and other climate related activities. In our budget table, we prorated our budget for individual projects by the acres accomplished.",,2019-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd ","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grasslands-phase-xi,,,,
10006513,"DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement",2019,2834000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(q)","$2,834,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"There are 68 species of greatest conservation need that utilize headwaters to large streams, including birds, turtles, frogs, fish, and insects. Stream habitat projects are not designed with one species in mind, but instead are intended to benefit multiple functions and habitats of the river both within the stream and in the riparian area, which will have benefits for rare species.","A total of 872 acres were affected: 23 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 849 in Enhance.",210000,"US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA",2736300,90800,,5.0,DNR,"State Government","This DNR Aquatic Habitat appropriation used a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat restoration, and enhancement of lakes and streams across all the LSOHC planning regions. Two stream restoration projects totaling 23 acres were completed with this appropriation. Also, habitat enhancement projects were completed on 43 Aquatic Management Areas, totaling 849 acres. Stream habitat work for this appropriation and LSOHC-funded projects from other appropriations was aided by funding for a stream restoration coordinator and interns. These positions aided in public outreach, survey work, design, permitting, contracting, and coordination with project partners on these complex projects","Stream projects were prioritized based on the DNR's Stream habitat Priority List, where projects were ranked based on a number of criteria surrounding support and outcomes. This appropriation funded two stream projects, both of which involved multiple external partners. Individual project details are outlined below. Miller Creek Stream Restoration: Miller Creek is a designated trout stream that is located within the city limits of Duluth that was ditched in the 1930's. This project highlights an urban project that was successful in restoring 6100 feet of Miller Creek. This project restored the geomorphic stability of the stream by reconnecting the floodplain and remeandering the stream to a stable channel. This project also enhanced riparian corridors and buffers, improved fish habitat diversity, and addressed the bed and bank erosion. In addition, the project team was able to expand the project to include an important tributary to Miller Creek. This project will provide improved habitat, stability and water quality to the associated tributary and Miller Creek. Funding for the larger overall project of Miller Creek and the tributary has come from various sources USFS ($115,000) and NOAA ($95,000). North Fork of the Zumbro River Stream Restoration: The North form of the Zumbro River was historically dammed near the City of Mazeppa. This damming disconnected the stream and altered the stream channel. This project was successful in restoring 3710 feet of the Zumbro River to a more stable form that is connected to the floodplain. Additionally, this project was able to address the dam remnants that were affecting the river stability, address the high unstable banks and improve instream habitat diversity. This project improved habitat for at least 28 species of fish documented downstream of where the dam was located. Fish will have easier accessibly to 40 miles upstream of the dam location. AMA Enhancement: This appropriation includes funding for personnel tasked with assessing habitat needs on Aquatic Management Areas (AMAs), writing management guidance documents that outline projects, and overseeing project implementation. AMA Specialists completed 6 new site assessments, bringing the total number of AMAs assessed since June 2014 to 247. To date, 170 Management Guidance Documents have been completed. An additional 28 Management Guidance Documents are in various stages of review. Staff also planned or oversaw enhancement projects on 43 AMAs, totaling 849 acres. The Restoration Coordinator has worked on project development for future projects, coordinated project meetings, been involved in design, written grant agreements, processed reimbursements, tracked budgets, and prioritized projects for funding. Additionally, the Restoration Coordinator hired and managed to interns to advance the culvert inventory and prioritization work. The Restoration Coordinator has developed the Natural Resources Specialist position and held interviews. This past year the interns have completed the Crow Wing watershed culvert inventory. They also were able to get a portion of the Zumbro watershed completed too.",,2018-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jamison,Wendel,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road Box 20","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5176,jamison.wendel@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Pope, Redwood, Scott, St. Louis, Wabasha, Wright","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-aquatic-habitat-restoration-and-enhancement,,,,
10006514,"DNR Grassland Enhancement Ph X",2019,4007000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(m)","$4,007,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Prairie habitats once covered one-third of the state but presently less than 2% remain. Native prairie, other grasslands that provides habitat for wildlife, and wetlands are key components of functional prairie landscapes that have the capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions. While these appropriation only added 838 acres of grassland acres to the state through restoration, these funds enhanced a much larger area. Put another way, we restored and enhanced 24.3 square miles with these funds. That would be a strip of grassland habitat that would equate to a quarter mile wide stretching from Moorhead to Alexandria. None of this work was targeted at a specific species of wildlife. We used that approach that diverse productive habitats benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife species as well as any threatened or endangered species. In our restorations, we use very diverse seed mixes. This is obviously beneficial for pollinators. However, all those insects also create a food base for a large number of wildlife species. The structural diversity all those plant species create in the habitat allow every species to find an ideal niche in the grass as well as accommodates different life history stages of wildlife.","A total of 15,577 acres were affected: 838 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 14,739 in Enhance.",,,3632700,198500,,13,DNR,"State Government","We restored and enhanced a total of 15,577 grassland acres with 239 projects on Wildlife Management Areas, Scientific and Natural Areas, and Native Prairie Bank easements.","We select projects using a number of criteria and reviews to make sure the DNR were spending these funds in the best and most productive ways. We can summarize our results in the following table. Brome conversion 6 Interseeding 60 Grassland restoration 838 Prescribed Fire 10,550 Herbaceous Invasive Control 346 Goat Browsing - woody removal 71 Woody Removal 3,492 TOTAL 15,577 This appropriation involved the Southwest Roving Crews. These Crews allow the DNR to be very flexible. While they have a list of projects to work on, they can also respond fairly quickly if there's an enhancement opportunity shows up. For instance, a short dry period in a part of the state may allow them to conduct a late summer prescribed fire which was not in any of the original work plans. Roving Crews have begun experimenting with different burn seasons. The DNR and partners continue to host field days each summer to learn about management practices such as prescribed fire, conservation grazing, etc. We also regularly review the scientific literature to make sure we are applying the most up to date techniques in our management. We were also able to continue our experimenting with goat browsing in the SE to control buckthorn. SNA staff will monitor these sites over the coming years. This may provide a way to reduce chemical use and integrate some new and emerging agricultural practices, goats, into habitat management for the benefit of wildlife and the agricultural economy. The DNR has traditionally focused on game species such as pheasants. However, there is more and more interest in pollinators and biodiversity. Fortunately, just about every study out there shows that management and restoration for pollinators and songbirds often creates the best habitat for game species. Diverse, healthy, productive habitat is good for a wide range of species. These projects can also increase the amount of carbon absorbed and stored by the plants and soils on these sites. All of these projects, directly or indirectly, fit within the state's Climate Action Framework and other climate related activities. As we continue to use these funds, costs for projects will probably increase. In the early years of these funds, we completed a number of simpler or easier projects, the low-hanging fruit. Now we are left with the larger and more challenging projects. In our budget table, we prorated our budget for individual projects by the acres accomplished. Staff funding was combined into one value. Identifying funding for each position would be an accounting challenge so staff funds were combined by DNR Division.",,2018-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Hoch,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette RD ","St Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5230,greg.hoch@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-grassland-enhancement-ph-x,,,,
35059,"DNR WMA and SNA Acquisition, Phase VIII",2017,3250000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$3,250,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Potential acquisitions for WMAs and SNAs are objectively scored for their habitat value. The DNR uses weighted criteria and prioritizes high scoring parcels for acquisition. For example, candidates for WMAs score higher with a prairie grouse lek, presence of shallow lakes, and occurrence of species in greatest conservation need; and candidates for SNAs score higher with high quality native plant communities and habitat for rare species. Both programs also give priority to parcels that adjoin existing units or other conservation lands.","A total of 662 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 662 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",369400,"USFWS and Surcharge",3155000,9900,,0.5,DNR,"State Government","Work resulting from this appropriation resulted in the acquisition, development, and inclusion of 662 acres into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system by way of five acquisitions. The acres acquired exceeded the accomplishment plan goals of 600 acres, and spent 97% of the budget. The acquired acres compliment the WMA program by adding habitat function and natural resource ecosystem services. One of the acquisitions also leveraged $300,000 in federal funding.","Through this appropriation the MN DNR protected lands in the prairie ecological section. The MN DNR prioritized our acquisitions to focus on parcels with an existing habitat base, acquisition opportunities that provided connectivity and worked toward building habitat complexes, and opportunities that allowed us to maximize habitat benefits. All acquisitions were a result of a relationship with a willing seller. We scored them using a GIS tool that assigns points based on the natural resource attributes along with other ecological and management criteria. We then ranked them in importance based on their score and input from local DNR land managers. All acquisitions where then subject to County Board review and approval. Five WMA parcels totaling 662 acres are now permanently protected and developed up to minimum standards as a result of acquisitions funded by this program. This exceeded our Accomplishment Plan goal.",,1970-01-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Patrick,Rivers,"MN Dept. of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5209,pat.rivers@state.mn.us,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Chippewa, Cottonwood, Murray, Stearns","Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/dnr-wma-and-sna-acquisition-phase-viii,,,,
10031396,"Effects of Conservation Grazing on Solar Sites Managed for Pollinator Habitat",2025,88000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 03z","$88,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Native Landscapes, in partnership with Temple University, to analyze the effects of sheep grazing and mowing on the vegetation and soils of solar sites managed for pollinator habitat and to improve understanding of the environmental outcomes from the colocation of solar panels; grazing; and native, pollinator-friendly vegetation. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2029, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,0.7,"Minnesota Native Landscapes","For-Profit Business/Entity","This research will analyze the effects of sheep grazing and mowing on the vegetation of solar sites that have been managed for pollinator habitat",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2028-12-31,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Daniel,Tix,"Minnesota Native Landscapes","8740 77th St NE",Otsego,MN,55362,"(763) 295-0010",dan.tix@mnlcorp.com,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, Wright",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/effects-conservation-grazing-solar-sites-managed-pollinator-habitat,,,,
35025,"Enhanced Public Land Grasslands - Phase II",2016,1120000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(l)","$1,120,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore habitat on public lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"698 Wetland acres Restored.  7,529 Prairie acres Enhanced.  Total of 8,227 acres impacted. ",,156000,"Federal ",1048600,8600,,0.35,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will utilize a combination of wetland restoration, invasive tree removal, seeding, and prescribed fire, to improve habitat quality, diversity, and productivity on Wildlife Management Areas and Waterfowl Production Areas within the prairie and metro regions of Minnesota. ",,"Working with area managers at both MN DNR and USFWS, Pheasants Forever requested proposals to complete wetland restoration, invasive tree removal, prairie seeding, and prescribed fire on existing WMA's and WPA's in the Prairie zone. Projects were then ranked based on priorities including, T&E species, Conservation Plan Focus Areas (e.g. the MN Prairie Plan), size of the complex area, water quality benefits, and overall cost to complete. Once projects were selected for funding, Pheasants Forever restoration staff worked closely with area managers in order to develop restoration/enhancement plans. Once those plans were developed they were written into a statement of work that was sent to numerous contractors in order to solicit competitive bids following PF's procurement policy. Once a contractor has been awarded the contract, PF and agency staff monitored the restoration/enhancement work to ensure it was completed adequately. Pheasants Forever had proposed to enhance 7,800 acres of uplands and restore 45 acres of wetlands. We did fall short of our upland goal by enhancing 7,275 acres, as we gave priority to wetland restoration projects. This, however, caused us to far exceed our goal and restore 952 wetland acres, thus over-achieving our total acre goal by 382 acres. Additionally, due to the value of these wetland restoration projects, PF was able to bring more than $156,000 of federal match, specifically from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, to this proposal. There were no significant issues that occurred during the proposal period. As with any work of this kind we anticipated there would be challenges due to weather, contractor difficulties, agency staff changes, etc. but by working closely with our partners we were able to be very successful on our delivery of this important wildlife habitat work. ",2015-07-01,2021-08-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Eran,Sandquist,"Pheasants Forever","410 Lincoln Ave S Box 91","South Haven",MN,55382,"(7632421273) -",esandquist@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Brown, Carver, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Washington, Watonwan","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-grasslands-phase-ii,,,,
10033901,"Enhanced Public Land - Grasslands - Phase VI",2024,2772000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(i)","$2,772,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore grassland and wetland habitat on public lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Increased waterfowl and upland bird migratory and breeding success - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers. Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers. Improved condition of habitat on public lands - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers",,,164700,"PF, PF, Federal and Private",2704400,67600,,0.58,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","6,870 acres of grassland and wetland habitat will be enhanced or restored through this proposal to benefit upland dependent species on Minnesota lands open to public hunting. These include Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), and National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). We will accomplish this by working with our partners to follow best practices to conduct wetland restorations, conservation grazing, invasive tree removal, prescribed fire, and diversity seeding in the prairie, forest/prairie transition, and metro regions.","Restoration and enhancement of prairie and wetland habitat remains as one of the core strategies of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Many native and restored prairies are degraded from lack of disturbance, low diversity and spread of invasive trees. There are wetlands in these landscapes that need be to restored and many previously restored basins that are in need of repair. This proposal aims to build on past investments to improve habitat on WPAs, WMAs, and NWRs so they can reach their full potential for wildlife production. Activities include the following: 1) Wetlands will be restored/enhanced by removing drain tile, constructing/repairing earthen dams and/or water control structures, removing sediment and invasive narrow leaf cattail control. Wetlands targeted for enhancement are vital to providing food, cover, and the space required for breeding waterfowl while being essential to water quality and aquifer recharge. 2) A diverse mixture of native grasses and forbs is ideal for nesting and brood rearing of upland nesting birds and essential for pollinator species. Many WMAs, WPAs, or NWRs were purchased in sub-optimal habitat condition (e.g. monotype of brome grass). We will use a site-specific combination of techniques (e.g. cultivation, tree removal, herbicide, and prescribed fire) to bring back productivity to these public lands. In close collaboration with the land managers, we will seed a diverse mix of native grasses and forbs that are well adapted to site conditions. Mowing will be used as needed to manage annual weed pressure to ensure establishment. 3) Prescribed burning is the primary tool for managing grassland habitat. It increases vigor, sets back invasive woody species, and removes built up residue. 4) Conservation grazing is an important enhancement tool for sites that are difficult to conduct prescribed fires or need to target specific enhancement needs (e.g. cool season grass suppression, tree invasion, etc.). Permanent infrastructure with a lifespan of 30+ years will be installed to conduct conservation grazing plans written to benefit wildlife. 5) Research has shown that invasive trees are detrimental to prairie/grassland wildlife and thus will be removed with this proposal. These trees reduce nesting success and provide perches and dens for predators. These predators are highly effective at predating both nests and nesting birds, especially in fragmented low quality habitat. By creating the best possible habitat on WPAs, NWRs and WMAs, we will strive to help our public land management entities by reducing future investments for management. A RFP and ranking process has been developed in previous phases that allows us to identify, rank and deliver the projects that have the most impact for grassland and wetland wildlife.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Becca,Kludt,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","547 5th St SW ",Perham,MN,56573,218-220-5391,bkludt@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Washington, Watonwan, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-grasslands-phase-vi,,,,
10035235,"Enhanced Public Land - Grasslands - Phase VII",2025,1902000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$1,902,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore grassland and wetland habitat on public lands within the forest prairie transition, metro urban, and prairie ecoregions of Minnesota.","Increased waterfowl and upland bird migratory and breeding success - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers. Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers. Improved condition of habitat on public lands - Outcomes will be measured by resource professionals and evaluated by using the best science available to land managers",,,111300,"PF and PF/State/Federal",1855700,46300,,0.21,PF,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","In this phase of the Enhanced Public Lands - Grassland program, Pheasants Forever (PF) will enhance or restore 4,000 acres of upland and wetland habitat. The goal of this program is to improve habitat on existing Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs), and National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) that are open to public hunting. PF does this by working with agency partners to develop restoration and enhancement plans and hiring local, private contractors to complete work. Examples of habitat improvements include restoring wetlands, removing invasive trees, conducting conservation grazing, and seeding grasslands with high-diversity native seed mixes.","Grassland-wetland ecosystems require regular disturbance to preserve their functionality and quality to positively impact fish, wildlife, and the public. Lack of disturbance on native and restored prairies has resulted in degraded habitats characterized by low plant diversity, presence of non-native or invasive species, and the spread of voluntary trees into open prairie. Wetlands embedded in these grasslands require restoration to achieve their fullest functionality, or have structures that need repair. The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (MPCP) identifies restoration and enhancement as two strategies to combat these issues. In accordance with this plan, Pheasants Forever has created the Enhanced Public Lands - Grasslands program to restore and enhance grassland and wetland habitats on existing WMAs, WPAs, and NWRs (many of which were purchased in sub-optimal conditions) in the prairie, forest/prairie transition, and metro regions. Pheasants Forever will utilize a previously developed Request for Proposals (RFP) and process to evaluate projects submitted by agency partners. Restoration and enhancement activities include the following: 1) Wetland restoration/enhancement: Tools used to accomplish this include removing drain tile, constructing/repairing earthen dams and/or water control structures, removing sediment and invasive narrow leaf cattail control. Wetlands targeted for enhancement are vital to providing food, cover, and the space required for breeding waterfowl while being essential to and landscape resiliency in the face of climate change. 2) Upland Enhancement: We will use a site-specific combination of techniques (e.g. cultivation, tree removal, herbicide, and prescribed fire) to bring back productivity to these public lands. In close collaboration with the land managers, we will seed a diverse mix of native grasses and forbs that are well adapted to site conditions and are ideal for upland nesting bird production and success of pollinator species. Mowing will be used as needed to manage annual weed pressure to ensure establishment. 3) Prescribed burning: This is the primary tool for managing grassland habitat as it is cost effective, increases vigor by removing built up litter, and sets back invasive woody species. 4) Conservation Grazing: This is an important enhancement tool for sites that are difficult to conduct prescribed fires or need to target specific enhancement needs (e.g. cool season grass suppression, tree invasion, etc.). Permanent infrastructure with a lifespan of 30+ years will be installed to conduct conservation grazing plans written to benefit wildlife. 5) Tree Removal: Research has shown that invasive trees are detrimental to prairie/grassland wildlife and thus will be removed with this proposal. These trees reduce nesting success by providing perches for aerial predators, dens for mammalian predators, and increases predator efficiency by creating habitat edges and fragmenting habitat. Predators are highly effective at predating both nests and nesting birds, especially in fragmented low quality habitat. Restoring or enhancing habitat to its highest function in these areas will not only greatly benefit fish and wildlife populations, but also reduce future management costs (by creating robust, better self-regulating ecosystems), and improve the enjoyment of the area by the public.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Becca,Kludt,"Pheasants Forever, Inc.","547 5th St SW ",Perham,MN,56573,218-220-5391,bkludt@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Norman, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Washington, Watonwan, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-grasslands-phase-vii,,,,
10006517,"Enhanced Public Land - Grasslands - Phase III",2019,2160000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(n)"," $2,160,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore grassland and wetland habitat on public lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"Value to T&E species is one of our project ranking criteria as part of our RFP. Projects that directly benefitted T&E species were more likely to be funded. In addition, all projects were carefully planned and monitored to mitigate any negative impact to T&E or SGCN.","A total of 10,781 acres were affected: 198 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 10,583 in Enhance.",45800,"Federal and PF",2129500,29700,,0.39,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program enhanced 10,583 and restored 198 acres for a total impact of 10,781 acres by restoring wetlands, removing invasive trees, seeding prairies, prescribed burning, and installing infrastructure for conservation grazing. These practices took place on Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's), and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) in the prairie, metro and the forest/prairie transition regions of Minnesota. We exceeded our acre goals in every category, brought $45,768.51 in match funds, and are returning $833.50 in funds.","Pheasants Forever sent a Request for Proposal (RFP) to wildlife managers within the MN DNR (managing WMA's), and USFWS (managing WPA's), giving them the opportunity to submit projects to be funded under this phase. Eligible practices included wetland restoration, invasive tree removal, upland enhancement/restoration, prescribed fire, and conservation grazing. Projects were ranked based on cost and priorities such as the impact on threatened & endangered species, project location within Conservation Plan Focus Areas, size of the complex, and potential benefit to water quality. For selected projects, PF restoration staff worked with area wildlife managers to develop restoration/enhancement plans and translate those into statements of work (SOW). The SOW was sent along with the Request for Bid to local contractors as part of the solicitation process that is laid out in PF's Procurement Policy. Once awarded, PF and agency staff monitored construction to ensure work was completed to quoted specifications, in time, and on budget.",,2018-07-01,2023-09-07,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Sabin,Adams,"Pheasants Forever","14241 Steves Rd SE ",Osakis,MN,56360,,sadams@pheasantsforever.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Blue Earth, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/enhanced-public-land-grasslands-phase-iii,,,,
10004563,"Evaluating Insecticide Exposure Risk for Grassland Wildlife on Public Lands",2017,250000,"M.L. 2016, Chp. 186, Sec. 2, Subd. 03n","$250,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to evaluate exposure risks of grassland wildlife to soybean aphid insecticides, to guide grassland management in farmland regions of Minnesota for the protection of birds, beneficial insects, and other grassland wildlife. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,,,,,"MN DNR","State Government",,,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2016/work_plans_may/_2016_03n.pdf,2016-07-01,2019-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Nicole,Davros,"MN DNR","35365 800th Ave",Madelia,MN,56062,"(507) 642-8478",nicole.davros@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Waseca, Watonwan, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/evaluating-insecticide-exposure-risk-grassland-wildlife-public-lands,,,,
10031431,"Expanding Youth and Family Fishing Opportunities",2025,1162000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 05t","$1,162,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to expand fishing opportunities in urban areas, teach more youth and families how to fish, and inventory and inform the public about safe and legal shore-fishing sites throughout Minnesota.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,9,"MN DNR","State Government","Expand fishing opportunities in urban areas, teach more kids and families how to fish, and inventory and inform the public about safe and legal shore fishing sites throughout Minnesota.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Brian,Nerbonne,"MN DNR","1200 Warner Rd.","St. Paul",MN,55106,"(651) 259-5789",brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/expanding-youth-and-family-fishing-opportunities,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2025,300000,"M.L. 2023, Ch. 40, Article 2, Section 5(g)","$650,000 the first year and $650,000 the second year are for applied research and tools, including maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries, streams, and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data and for assessing the effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality. ","In FY25 DNR will complete intensive field monitoring on ~100 timber harvest sites in eleven targeted watersheds in central and northern Minnesota. Aerial image acquisition and landowner contact and efforts to acquire permissions for access are currently underway. Coordination with Minnesota Logger Education Program, Sustainable Forestry Education Cooperative, and agency foresters is also currently underway to deliver trainings and workshops focused on the Minnesota Forest Resources Council Forest Management Guidelines (FMGs). We plan to continue outreach to landowners, managers and loggers about monitoring results and opportunities to improve the implementation of guidelines and reduce water quality risks. We also plan to continue exploring ways in which statewide coverage of the canopy change analysis can feed into assessment of thresholds corresponding to varying levels of risk to water quality (WRAPS) and biodiversity (WHAF). A hydro-geomorphological risk model developed for the entire state will also be released along with appropriate guidance for its use in identifying and mitigating landscape risks through appropriate on-site BMP planning and implementation. The User’s Guide is currently near completion. Four full seasons of data collected using the new data entry system have been fully integrated with data collected since 2009 and will become available this year.   ",,,,,,,,,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2024,300000,"M.L. 2023, Ch. 40, Article 2, Section 5(g)","$650,000 the first year and $650,000 the second year are for applied research and tools, including maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries, streams, and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data and for assessing the effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality. "," In FY24 DNR will complete intensive field monitoring on ~100 timber harvest sites in eleven targeted watersheds in central and northern Minnesota. Aerial image acquisition and landowner contact and efforts to acquire permissions for access are currently underway. Coordination with Minnesota Logger Education Program, Sustainable Forestry Education Cooperative, and agency foresters is also currently underway to deliver trainings and workshops focused on the Minnesota Forest Resources Council Forest Management Guidelines (FMGs). We plan to continue outreach to landowners, managers and loggers about monitoring results and opportunities to improve the implementation of guidelines and reduce water quality risks. We also plan to continue exploring ways in which statewide coverage of the canopy change analysis can feed into assessment of thresholds corresponding to varying levels of risk to water quality (WRAPS) and biodiversity (WHAF). A hydro-geomorphological risk model developed for the entire state will also be released along with appropriate guidance for its use in identifying and mitigating landscape risks through appropriate on-site BMP planning and implementation. The User’s Guide is currently near completion. Four full seasons of data collected using the new data entry system have been fully integrated with data collected since 2009 and will become available this year. ","In FY24, DNR completed intensive field monitoring on 79 timber harvest sites in three targeted watersheds in northern and central Minnesota. Sampling monitored water quality best management practices (BMPs) and other sustainable forest management guidelines. Low private landowner interest and increased contracting costs ($30K+ increase over previous year) led to lower number of monitoring sites across watersheds. Our monitoring identified certain areas where further education is recommended, such as RMZs, filter strips, erosion control, and road and landing placements. Due to issues with data quality, sites may be re-measured in winter 2024 and spring 2025 to ensure data quality is available to create a 1-year report on watershed data in early 2025. A regional report inclusive of all surveyed watersheds over the last 5 years will be published in late 2025. The Guideline Monitoring Program also assisted with four logger education trainings collaborated with UMN Extension, MFRC, MLEP, and DNR held in central and northern areas of the state during FY24, with plans to expand trainings to all other parts of Minnesota over the next 2 years. ",,,,275556,,,1,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2023,250000,"M.L. 2021 First Special Session Ch. 1 Art. 2 Sec. 5(g)","$535000 the first year and $530000 the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; and assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality. ","DNR will complete intensive field monitoring on ~100 timber harvest sites in eleven targeted watersheds in central and southeastern Minnesota. Aerial image acquisition and landowner contact and efforts to acquire permissions for access are currently underway. Coordination with Minnesota Logger Education Program, Sustainable Forestry Education Cooperative, and agency foresters is also currently underway to deliver trainings and workshops focused on the Minnesota Forest Resources Council Forest Management Guidelines (FMGs). We plan to continue outreach to landowners, managers and loggers about monitoring results and opportunities to improve the implementation of guidelines and reduce water quality risks. We also plan to continue exploring ways in which statewide coverage of the canopy change analysis can feed into assessment of thresholds corresponding to varying levels of risk to water quality (WRAPS) and biodiversity (WHAF). A hydro-geomorphological risk model developed for the entire state will also be released along with appropriate guidance for its use in identifying and mitigating landscape risks through appropriate on-site BMP planning and implementation. The User’s Guide is currently near completion. Three full seasons of data collected using the new data entry system have been fully integrated with data collected since 2009 and will become available this year. "," In FY23 DNR completed intensive field monitoring on 70 timber harvest sites in ten targeted watersheds in central and southeastern Minnesota. Sampling was conducted proportionately to the number of timber harvests in each ownership class (County, Federal, Industry, NIPF, State, Tribal). We monitored water quality best management practice (BMP) and other sustainable forest management implementation. Lower private landowner participation and increased contracting costs resulted in a smaller than anticipated sample this year. Analysis of data collected in recent years of monitoring has allowed us to begin looking for spatial trends in BMP implementation and to deliver outreach to improve those trends. Examples include identification of watersheds where placement of infrastructure on top of filter strips has been observed, use of erosion control practices, trends in riparian management zone use, leave tree and coarse woody debris retention, and rutting on roads skid trails and approaches. A two-year report on watershed sample unit FMG implementation will be released in February of 2024. We also completed our first Forest Management Guideline (FMG) training with representatives from BWSR, MFRC, UMN, and DNR at the Cloquet Forestry Center as part of a restart of the guideline training program’s in-person events. ",,,,210369,5890,,1,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2022,250000,"M.L. 2021 First Special Session Ch. 1 Art. 2 Sec. 5(g)","$535000 the first year and $530000 the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; and assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality. ","DNR will complete intensive field monitoring on ~100 timber harvest sites in ten targeted watersheds in northern and central Minnesota. Aerial image acquisition and landowner contact and efforts to acquire permissions for access are currently underway. Coordination with Minnesota Logger Education Program Sustainable Forestry Education Cooperative and agency foresters is also currently underway to plan trainings and workshops focused on the Minnesota Forest Resources Council Forest Management Guidelines (FMGs). We plan to continue outreach to landowners managers and loggers about monitoring results and opportunities to improve the implementation of guidelines and reduce water quality risks to the extent possible given COVID-19 mitigation guidelines and restrictions. We plan to continue exploring ways in which statewide coverage of the canopy change analysis can feed into assessment of thresholds corresponding to varying levels of risk to water quality (WRAPS) and biodiversity (WHAF). A hydro-geomorphological risk model developed for the entire state will also be released along with appropriate guidance for its use in identifying and mitigating landscape risks through appropriate on-site BMP planning and implementation. The User's Guide is currently near completion. Two full seasons of data collected using the new data entry system are now available. This will allow GMP staff to complete a two-year report on watershed sample unit FMG implementation in early February of 2022. ","DNR completed intensive field monitoring on 75 timber harvest sites in ten targeted watersheds in northern and central Minnesota. Sampling was conducted proportionately to the number of timber harvests in each ownership class (County, Federal, Industry, NIPF, State, Tribal). We monitored water quality best management practice (BMP) and other sustainable forest management implementation. Lower private landowner participation and increased contracting costs resulted in a smaller than anticipated sample this year. During FY22, we further refined our new data entry system for GMP, utilizing ArcGIS Portal, Collector, and Survey123 for collection and storage of spatial and survey data related to monitored harvest sites. We also developed scripted data compilation and reporting methods using this new system. Analysis of data collected in recent years of monitoring has allowed us to begin looking for spatial trends in BMP implementation and to deliver outreach to improve those trends. Examples include identification of watersheds where placement of infrastructure on top of filter strips has been observed, use of erosion control practices, trends in riparian management zone use, leave tree and coarse woody debris retention, and rutting on roads skid trails and approaches. A two-year report on watershed sample unit FMG implementation was released in February of 2022. ",,,,244317,4773,,1,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2021,250000,"M.L. 2019 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 2 Sec. 6(g)","$700000 the first year and $700000 the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; and assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality.","DNR will complete intensive field monitoring on ~100 timber harvest sites in seven targeted watersheds in northern and central Minnesota. Aerial image acquisition and landowner contact and efforts to acquire permissions for access are currently underway. Coordination with DNR Private Forest Management Foresters (PFM) to help us connect with private landowners and future workshops is in progress. We plan to continue outreach to landowners managers and loggers about monitoring results and opportunities to improve the implementation of guidelines and reduce water quality risks to the extent possible given COVID-19 mitigation guidelines and restrictions. We plan to continue exploring ways in which statewide coverage of the canopy change analysis can feed into assessment of thresholds corresponding to varying levels of risk to water quality (WRAPS) and biodiversity (WHAF). A hydrogeomorphological risk model developed for the entire state will also be released along with appropriate guidance for its use in identifying and mitigating landscape risks through appropriate on-site BMP planning and implementation. A full season of data collected using the new data entry system will become available allowing GMP staff to develop scripted methods to integrate new monitoring observations with historic data sets and begin providing site-level and watershed/ownership summary reports via the online reporting application described in FY20 Outcomes.","DNR completed intensive field monitoring on 92 timber harvest sites in seven targeted watersheds in northern and central Minnesota. Direct GMP contact with non-industrial private forest owners allowed us to achieve a good sample of this important demographic this year. We monitored water quality best management practice (BMP) and other sustainable forest management implementation. During FY21 we further refined our new data entry system for GMP utilizing ArcGIS Portal Collector and Survey123 for collection and storage of spatial and survey data related to monitored harvest sites. We also developed scripted data compilation and reporting methods using this new system. The Beta version of an online reporting application continues to contribute to summarization and reporting of monitoring results. Analysis of data collected in recent years of monitoring has allowed us to begin looking for spatial trends in BMP implementation and to deliver outreach to improve those trends. Examples include identification of watersheds where placement of infrastructure on top of filter strips has been observed use of erosion control practices trends in riparian management zone use leave tree and coarse woody debris retention and rutting on roads skid trails and approaches. We are currently working with MNIT to identify a hosting solution for the reporting application.",,,,260654,4540,,1.2,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2020,250000,"M.L. 2019 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 2 Sec. 6(g)","$700000 the first year and $700000 the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; and assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality.","DNR will complete intensive field monitoring on ~100 timber harvest sites in five targeted watersheds in northern and central Minnesota. Aerial image acquisition and landowner contact and efforts to acquire permissions for access are currently underway. Coordination with DNR Private Forest Management Foresters (PFM) to help us connect with private landowners and future workshops is in progress. We have also begun exploring ways in which statewide coverage of the canopy change analysis can feed into assessment of thresholds corresponding to varying levels of risk to water quality (WRAPS) and biodiversity (WHAF). Testing and final deployment of the new data entry system is currently underway and will be completed by May 2020. Reporting for monitoring data collected in FY18-19 will be completed in FY20 and synthesis of data from the past cycle of monitoring will be made available to stakeholders in the form of written reports watershed maps interactive summaries targeted outreach and BMP training events. Analysis of data collected over the past five years of monitoring across the entire forested landscape has allowed us to begin looking for spatial trends in BMP implementation and to deliver outreach and training in an attempt to improve those trends. Examples include identification of: watersheds where placement of infrastructure on top of filter strips has been observed trends in riparian management zone use leave tree and coarse woody debris retention rutting on roads skid trails and approaches and other issues pertinent to water quality and other forest resources and will be completed in February 2020.","In FY20 DNR completed intensive field monitoring on 89 timber harvest sites in five targeted watersheds in northern and central Minnesota. Coordination with DNR Private Forest Management Foresters (PFM) helped us to connect with private landowners. We managed monitoring of water quality best management practice (BMP) and other sustainable forest management implementation. During FY20 we also completed testing and final deployment of a new data entry system for GMP utilizing ArcGIS Portal Collector and Survey123 for collection and storage of spatial and survey data related to monitored harvest sites. The Beta version of an online reporting application contributed substantially to summarization and reporting of monitoring results. Tabular reports from the application have contributed substantially to development of both the 2018 Guideline Monitoring Report and the 2014-2018 Summary Report. Analysis of data collected in recent years of monitoring has allowed us to begin looking for spatial trends in BMP implementation and to deliver outreach and training in an attempt to improve those trends. Examples include identification of watersheds where placement of infrastructure on top of filter strips has been observed trends in riparian management zone use leave tree and coarse woody debris retention and rutting on roads skid trails and approaches. ",,,,237786,3054,,0.6,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2019,250000,"M.L. 2017 Regular Session Ch. 91 Art. 2 Sec. 6(g)","$675000 the first year and $675000 the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; and assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality.","In FY19 the DNR will complete intensive field monitoring of 93 timber harvest sites in eight targeted watersheds in northern Minnesota. For these eight watersheds during the summer we will oversee monitoring of water quality best management practice (BMP) implementation and implementation of other sustainable forest management guidelines on 93 timber harvest sites. We will continue outreach to landowners managers and loggers. This work will include: 1) site-specific feedback about monitoring results and opportunities to improve the implementation of guidelines and reduce water quality risks; 2) working with DNR Private Forest Management foresters and Soil & Water Conservation Districts to develop strategies for outreach to private landowners in monitored watersheds; and 3) contributing to watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) and watershed planning. Also in FY19 we will begin overhauling our Guideline Monitoring application. We will also review the past five years of monitoring which has covered the entire forested landscape looking for adverse trends and deliver outreach and training in an attempt to change those trends. ","DNR completed intensive field monitoring of 83 timber harvest sites in eight targeted watersheds in northern Minnesota. For these eight watersheds we managed monitoring of water quality best management practice (BMP) and other sustainable forest management implementation. We continued outreach to landowners managers and loggers including: 1) site-specific feedback about monitoring results and opportunities to improve the implementation of guidelines and reduce water quality risks; 2) working with DNR Private Forest Management foresters and Soil & Water Conservation Districts to develop strategies for outreach to private landowners in monitored watersheds; and 3) contributing to watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) and watershed planning. Additional work was coordinated with researchers at the University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources to manage our field data compile historic trends and develop a Beta version of an online reporting application capable of summarizing data collected by the Program since 2009. The reporting application uses a selected set of thematic filters including watershed sample units MFRC landscape regions counties and land ownership to summarize monitoring results. Reporting is provided in tabular form consistent with recent written reports. Additional spatial analyses relating land use forest cover and hydrologic features on a watershed sample unit basis are also made available.",,,,232858,,,,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2018,250000,"M.L. 2017 Regular Session Ch. 91 Art. 2 Sec. 6(g)","$675000 the first year and $675000 the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; and assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality.","In FY18 the DNR will complete intensive field monitoring of 98 timber harvest sites in nine targeted watersheds in northern Minnesota. We will also analyze the distribution of timber harvest and forest change on forest land in eight northern Minnesota watersheds. For these eight watersheds during the summer we will oversee monitoring of water quality best management practice (BMP) implementation and implementation of other sustainable forest management guideline on 80 to 100 timber harvest sites. We will continue activities to reach out to forest landowners managers and loggers including: - Site-specific feedback about monitoring results and opportunities to improve the implementation of guidelines and reduce water quality risks. - Working with DNR Private Forest Management foresters and Soil & Water Conservation Districts to develop strategies for outreach to small private landowners in monitored watersheds. - Contributing to developing strategies for the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies process in forested watersheds. In February we will submit our biennial Guideline Implementation Monitoring Report to the MN Forest Resource Council (MFRC). The report will summarize results from implementation monitoring on 169 sites in 19 watersheds during the summer and fall of FY16 and FY17. DNR and MFRC staff will use this information to continue identifying water quality risk factors and developing strategies to reduce risks in targeted watersheds.","In FY18 the DNR completed intensive field monitoring of 98 timber harvest sites in nine targeted watersheds in northern Minnesota and began monitoring water quality best management practice (BMP) implementation and implementation of other sustainable forest management guidelines on 93 timber harvest sites in northern Minnesota. In February 2018 we submitted our biennial Guideline Implementation Monitoring Report to the MN Forest Resource Council (MFRC). The report summarized results from implementation monitoring of 169 sites in 19 watersheds during the summer and fall of FY16 and FY17. DNR and MFRC staff use this information to continue identifying water quality risk factors and developing strategies to reduce risks in targeted watersheds and presented this information at several venues in FY18. They also shared results with landowners and land managers whose sites were monitored and helped them identify opportunities to better implement guidelines and reduce water quality risks. DNR Private Forest Management Foresters helped us connect with private land owners to improve access for monitoring private forest lands and pave the way for future workshops to improve the implementation of guidelines and water quality BMPs.",,,,170093,,,0.1,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2017,250000,"M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 2 Sec. 6(g)","(g) $675000 the first year and $675000the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality; and developing a biomonitoring database.","In FY17 the DNR will complete intensive field monitoring of 80 timber harvest sites in 12 targeted watersheds in central and southeastern Minnesota. We will analyze the distribution of timber harvest and forest change on forestland in 38 forested watersheds across the state in order to select 10 watersheds for additional intensive monitoring of timber harvest sites. For these 10 watersheds we will execute a contract to begin monitoring the implementation of water quality best management practices (BMPs) and other sustainable forest management guidelines on 80 to 100 timber harvest sites.","In FY17 the DNR completed intensive field monitoring of 80 timber harvest sites in 12 targeted watersheds in central and southeastern Minnesota and identified 100 additional timber harvest sites in nine forested watersheds for intensive monitoring to be completed in FY18. We also analyzed the distribution of timber harvest and forest change on 38 selected major watersheds in northern Minnesota while developing focused information on nine target watersheds. The resulting information documents how well water quality best management practices (BMPs) and other sustainable forest management guidelines have been implemented. Staff also continued using this information to identify water quality risk factors and develop strategies to reduce risks in targeted watersheds. They presented this information at several venues. They also shared results with landowners and land managers whose sites were monitored and helped them identify opportunities to better implement guidelines and reduce water quality risks. Staff utilized the DNR’s Private Forest Management Foresters to better connect with small private land owners to improve access to monitoring private forest lands and to pave the way for future workshops addressing ways to improve the implementation of guidelines and water quality BMPs.",,,,186321,,,0.9,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2016,250000,"M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 2 Sec. 6(g)","(g) $675000 the first year and $675000the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality; and developing a biomonitoring database.","In FY16 the DNR will identify the distribution of timber harvest and forest change on 12 selected HUC8 watershed units (see below). The DNR will check logging sites to make sure sustainable forest management guidelines and water quality BMPs are properly carried out. We will look at specific watershed characteristics to identify water quality risk factors on the selected areas and we will develop strategies to reduce risks in the targeted watersheds. We will continue and further develop outreach to forest landowners managers and loggers to implement strategies including: -A comprehensive report on sustainable forest management guideline implementation -Continued site-specific feedback to land owners/managers and loggers of sites monitored during summer of 2014 and 2015. Feedback will address results of site monitoring and identification of opportunities for improvement of guideline implementation and water quality risk reduction -Work with the recently rebuilt Cooperative Forest Management Program to better connect with small private forest land owners -Continued interaction and contribution to Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies Work with the Minnesota Forest Recourses Council (MFRC) Region Landscape Planning program to address the risk factors that were identified in the watershed analyses and to improve how BMPs are carried out.","In FY16 the DNR completed intensive field monitoring on 79 timber harvest sites in seven northern Minnesota watersheds and identified 80 additional timber harvest sites in 12 central and southeastern Minnesota watersheds for intensive monitoring to be done in FY17. The resulting information documents how well water quality best management practices (BMPs) and other sustainable forest management guidelines have been implemented. Staff completed a comprehensive report on sites monitored in calendar years 2014 and 2015 available at http://mn.gov/frc/site-level-forest-management-reports.html. Staff continued to use information from these reports to identify water quality risk factors and develop strategies to reduce risks in targeted watersheds. They presented this information at several venues. They shared results with landowners and land managers whose sites were monitored and helped them identify opportunities to better implement guidelines and reduce water quality risks. DNR Cooperative Forest Management foresters collaborated with Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) to better connect with small private landowners in targeted watersheds improving access to monitoring sites and paving the way for workshops on improved implementation of guidelines. Staff worked with the Minnesota Logger Education Program to develop this type of workshop for logging professionals. Staff collaborated with the Minnesota Forest Resources Council on strategies for outreach and education to improve implementation of guidelines and aid the development of regional landscape plans. Finally staff continued to contribute information from reports to the development of Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS).",,,,217597,,,0.9,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2015,250000,"M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(g)","$675000 the first year and $675000 the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality; and developing an ecological monitoring database. ","In FY 15 the DNR will detect where timber harvest and other forest changes took place on all forested watersheds statewide. We will monitor the implementation of sustainable forest management guidelines and water quality BMPs on timber harvest sites across the four watersheds selected in FY14 and an additional seven selected in FY15. The combined information along with specific watershed characteristics will be used to identify water quality risk factors (based on timber harvesting frequency and distribution level of BMP implementation and additional watershed characteristics) within target watersheds for FY14 &15. We will develop strategies to reduce risks in the targeted watersheds. We will develop outreach programs geared toward implementing those strategies for forest landowners managers and loggers. These programs will include: 1) workshops addressing erosion control on forest access roads and timber harvesting sites; 2) feedback to land managers and loggers of sites monitored in FY14 (results of site monitoring and identifying opportunities for improvement) 3) a BMP field manual for loggers and land managers.","In FY 15 the DNR identified that forests were disturbed in a total of 38 watersheds (HUC 8) and 27 counties in Minnesota. We selected 80 harvest sites in a subset of seven watersheds for monitoring the implementation of sustainable forest management guidelines and water quality BMPs.* We hired contractors to collect monitoring data which we will analyze in FY16. We also completed field monitoring at an additional 59 sites that were started in FY2014 sites in the Mississippi Headwaters Rum River Lake Superior South and Lake Superior North watersheds. We synthesized data for these sites and evaluated them for guideline compliance. We presented the information to various groups (see below). The final report will be done in February of 2016. In collaboration with the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Logger Education Program we conducted two workshops addressing erosion control on forest access roads and timber harvesting sites in fall/winter of 2014. We also made several presentations to disseminate Guideline Monitoring results including talking to land managers at the monitoring sites in an ongoing process providing feedback. We also helped develop a BMP field manual for loggers and land managers. We evaluated forest disturbance/change between the years 2000 to 2015 on all forested watersheds in Minnesota. We looked at specific watershed characteristics to identify water quality risk factors including: proximity of forest disturbances to water features roads and road crossings; soil drainage type texture and erodibility; current and past land cover and land use change; and topographic characteristics (slope flow direction and accumulation). We used these data layers along with several from the DNR’s Watershed Health Assessment Framework to create a preliminary risk index.",,,,171589,,,1.0,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
20536,"Forestry Best Management Practices for Clean Water",2014,250000,"M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(g)","$675000 the first year and $675000 the second year are for applied research and tools including watershed hydrologic modeling; maintaining and updating spatial data for watershed boundaries streams and water bodies and integrating high-resolution digital elevation data; assessing effectiveness of forestry best management practices for water quality; and developing an ecological monitoring database. ","In FY 14 DNR will monitor the implementation of sustainable forest management guidelines and water quality BMPs on 80 – 100 timber harvest sites across 4 forested watersheds. Distribution of timber harvest and other forest changes will also be identified in these watersheds. The combined information along with specific watershed characteristics will be used to identify water quality risk factors within target watersheds and strategies to reduce those risks. Outreach programs will then be developed to work with forest landowners managers and loggers to implement strategies. Specific outcomes include: -Establishment of a protocol for identifying forest change at the watershed level that can also be applied statewide. -Identify the distribution of timber harvest and forest change in four watersheds including Mississippi Headwaters Rum River North Lake Superior and South Lake Superior. -Monitor the implementation of forest management guidelines and water quality BMPs through on-site investigation on a total of 80-100 sites across these 4 watersheds. -Progress in development of a protocol for identifying level of risk to water quality due to timber harvesting frequency and distribution level of BMP implementation and additional watershed characteristics Outreach programs based on above data will be developed in FY15.","In FY14 DNR foresters identified the distribution of timber harvest and forest change in four watersheds: Mississippi Headwaters Rum River Lake Superior South and Lake Superior North. DNR established a protocol for identifying forest change at the watershed level; this protocol will be refined to better differentiate among various forest change types. For example some partial harvesting is difficult to distinguish from wind damage. Also time sequence is required to detect difference between forest harvesting and some land conversions such as pasturing. In the four target watersheds foresters monitored 34 sites for implementation of forest management guidelines and water quality best management practices. About 1/3 of the sites planned for monitoring in FY14 were completed; the remainder will be completed by Sept 31 2014. Contract work was delayed due to length of time required to get contract approvals. DNR is also developing a protocol for identifying level of risk to water quality due to timber harvesting frequency and distribution level of BMP implementation and additional watershed characteristics. The primary progress on this task was hiring a Research Analysis Specialist whose responsibilities will be focused development of this protocol. The hiring process was completed in early FY15 and significant progress will be made on this protocol in the coming year. Outreach development in FY14 included curriculum and video development for erosion control workshops to be held in the fall of 2014 and help creating a user-friendly field guide focused on forestry water quality BMPs which will be completed in FY15.",,,,41296,,,0.1,,,"The Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council work with forest landowners, managers and loggers to implement a set of voluntary sustainable forest management guidelines that include water quality best management practices (BMPs) to ensure sustainable habitat, clean water, and productive forest soils, all contributing to healthy watersheds. This project will monitor the implementation of these forest management guidelines and BMPs on forested watersheds in MN. Additionally, this project will identify timber harvest frequency and distribution as well as significant change to forest area including conversion of forests to other land uses, large fires, and blowdown events. An evaluation of the guideline implementation rates, watershed characteristics, and the frequency and distribution of forest change will be used to identify risks to water quality as well as strategies to reduce these risks, with the goal of maintaining high quality forested watersheds in MN. Outreach programs will be developed for forest landowners, managers and loggers throughout the target watersheds aimed at mitigating these risks such as improved implementation of specific BMPs. ","Forested watersheds in MN generally produce an abundance of high quality water. Much of our forested landscape is managed as productive forest land providing timber products as well recreational opportunities and abundant wildlife. Sustainable timber harvesting in combination with application of voluntary water quality BMP's has helped to maintain water quality in Minnesota's managed forest lands. However, risks to water quality in these landscapes still remain, with rates of BMP implementation, harvesting patterns, and watershed characteristics influencing the potential for impacts to occur at any given time or place. Also, recent trends in forestland development and loss in Minnesota has increased the risk of impacts to water quality in forested landscapes. Evaluation of BMP implementation and quantification of risk factors by watershed, combined with effective outreach programs, will allow for continued utilization of working forests while maintaining functioning, healthy watersheds that produce clean water. ",,2013-07-01,,"Clean Water Fund","In Progress",,,Lila,Westreich,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,,lila.westreich@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/forestry-best-management-practices-clean-water,,,,
10031379,"Foundational Data for Moth and Butterfly Conservation",2025,195000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 03i","$195,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to perform field surveys and consolidate existing data to create the first comprehensive list of Minnesota moths and butterflies. This appropriation is also to conduct outreach to inform land managers and to facilitate public appreciation of these species.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,1.8,"MN DNR","State Government","This project will build the first comprehensive list of Minnesota moths and butterflies. Information gained through surveys and outreach efforts will inform land managers and inspire public appreciation.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Gerda,Nordquist,"MN DNR","MN Dept. of Natural Resources - EWR 500 Lafayette Road, Box 25","St. Paul",MN,55155-4025,"(651) 259-5124",gerda.nordquist@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/foundational-data-moth-and-butterfly-conservation,,,,
10031397,"Genetic Detection of Endangered Mussels in the Mississippi",2025,241000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 03aa","$241,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the United States Geological Survey, Ohio Water Microbiology Lab, to create, optimize, and use eDNA assays to detect the presence of endangered or threatened mussel species around Buffalo Slough near the Prairie Island Indian Community.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,,"US Geological Survey, Ohio Water Microbiology Lab","Federal Government","This project will create and optimize eDNA assays to detect the presence of 8 endangered or threatened mussel species around Buffalo Slough near Prairie Island Indian Community.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-12-31,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Lauren,Lynch,"US Geological Survey, Ohio Water Microbiology Lab","6460 Busch Blvd",Columbus,MN,43229,"(614) 254-4064",llynch@usgs.gov,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/genetic-detection-endangered-mussels-mississippi,,,,
3282,"Glacial Lakes State Trail - Sauk River Bridge",2010,,"M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec. 2(3)",,"Replacement of the former railroad bridge located over the Sauk River in the community of Richmond. The former railroad structure was subject to a detailed inspection and determined to not be eligible for rehabilitation. A new trail bridge will be constructed in the location of the former railroad to carry recreational trail traffic (trail through Richmond is scheduled for construction in 2012-2013).","The demolition of the 300' long former railroad trestle bridge over the Sauk River at Richmond was completed during March 2011. This bridge had never been subject to conversion for trail use. A new 250 foot steel trail bridge with a concrete deck will be constructed in the location of the former railroad structure during 2011 providing a trail link between the communities of RIchmond and Roscoe. The replacement trail bridge is scheduled to be completed by 30 September 2012.",,,,,,,,,,"Demolition of former railroad bridge and construction of a new State Trail Bridge over the Sauk River in the City of Richmond.","Demolition of former railroad bridge completed during March 2011. New trail bridge engineering and design complete. Bridge construction/installation scheduled for completion in September 2012.",,2010-03-01,2012-08-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Kent,Skaar,"MNDNR Division of Parks and Trails","500 Lafayette Rd","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5636",kent.skaar@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/glacial-lakes-state-trail-sauk-river-bridge,,,,
20686,"Groundwater Management Areas",2017,,"M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(j)","$1808000 the first year is for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.287 subdivision 4. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency health and agriculture shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas. The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas special well construction areas groundwater provinces groundwater recharge areas and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater. This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations. This appropriation is available until June 30 2017. Note: Amount was amended in M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 6.","In FY17 the DNR will finalize and adopt the remaining plans and begin implementing the actions identified. The DNR will also start the process of developing a groundwater model for the Bonanza Valley Groundwater Management Area.","In FY17 the DNR completed and adopted Groundwater Management Area Plans for the Straight River and Bonanza Valley. The DNR substantially completed the development of a transient groundwater model for the North and East Metro.",,,,250690,10793,,1.5,,,"Minnesota’s use of groundwater has increased over the last two decades. An increasing reliance on groundwater may not be a sustainable path for continued economic growth and development. The DNR is establishing three pilot groundwater management areas (GWMA) to help improve groundwater appropriation decisions and help groundwater users better understand and plan for future groundwater needs associated with economic development. The three areas include: the North and East Metropolitan Region, which includes all of Ramsey and Washington Counties, and the southern portion of Anoka County; the second area includes the Straight River, near Park Rapids; and the third area includes portions of Pope, Stearns, and Kandiyohi counties, known as Bonanza Valley, which includes the towns of Glenwood, Brooten, Belgrade, Elrosa and other communities. Clean Water Funds are used to hire project managers, meeting facilitators and support stakeholder engagement to inform and advise the planning process.","Water is crucial to Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems. Minnesota has a well-deserved image of having abundant water resources, nevertheless, water is not evenly distributed across the state. Despite our popular image, water is becoming scarce in parts of Minnesota. Unprecedented water use conflicts are arising between businesses, towns, and residents. In most areas of the state, we are not yet in “crisis” mode when it comes to water availability. We have time to address these issues and ensure that Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems have adequate water supplies in the future. Each of the selected pilot Groundwater Management Areas has been experiencing increased use and reliance on groundwater to meet public or private needs. The purpose of a groundwater management area is to organize resources and people to better understand the risk of overuse and contamination in these areas, and to develop a plan that the Department of Natural Resources can implement to ensure sustainable use of water. ",,2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Jason,Moeckel,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5240",jason.moeckel@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Modeling, Technical Assistance, Demonstration/Pilot Project","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clearwater, Douglas, Meeker, Swift, Wadena, Anoka, Becker, Hubbard, Pope, Ramsey, Stearns, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/groundwater-management-areas,,,,
20686,"Groundwater Management Areas",2016,,"M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(j)","$1808000 the first year is for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.287 subdivision 4. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency health and agriculture shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas. The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas special well construction areas groundwater provinces groundwater recharge areas and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater. This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations. This appropriation is available until June 30 2017. Note: Amount was amended in M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 6.","The DNR will finalize three Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) plans that can be approved by the commissioner. The DNR will form new advisory committee’s to advise the agency during plan implementation. Implementation will include coordinating with other agencies and local units of government and developing new information to evaluate sustainability of current and projected water use. ","In FY16 the DNR worked with stakeholder advisory committees to complete draft plans for each of the three Groundwater Management Areas (GWMAs). The plan for the North and East Metro Area was finalized and approved by the DNR Commissioner. Plans for the Bonanza Valley and Straight River were nearing completion and approval. ",,,,256899,83660,,2.3,,,"Minnesota’s use of groundwater has increased over the last two decades. An increasing reliance on groundwater may not be a sustainable path for continued economic growth and development. The DNR is establishing three pilot groundwater management areas (GWMA) to help improve groundwater appropriation decisions and help groundwater users better understand and plan for future groundwater needs associated with economic development. The three areas include: the North and East Metropolitan Region, which includes all of Ramsey and Washington Counties, and the southern portion of Anoka County; the second area includes the Straight River, near Park Rapids; and the third area includes portions of Pope, Stearns, and Kandiyohi counties, known as Bonanza Valley, which includes the towns of Glenwood, Brooten, Belgrade, Elrosa and other communities. Clean Water Funds are used to hire project managers, meeting facilitators and support stakeholder engagement to inform and advise the planning process.","Water is crucial to Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems. Minnesota has a well-deserved image of having abundant water resources, nevertheless, water is not evenly distributed across the state. Despite our popular image, water is becoming scarce in parts of Minnesota. Unprecedented water use conflicts are arising between businesses, towns, and residents. In most areas of the state, we are not yet in “crisis” mode when it comes to water availability. We have time to address these issues and ensure that Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems have adequate water supplies in the future. Each of the selected pilot Groundwater Management Areas has been experiencing increased use and reliance on groundwater to meet public or private needs. The purpose of a groundwater management area is to organize resources and people to better understand the risk of overuse and contamination in these areas, and to develop a plan that the Department of Natural Resources can implement to ensure sustainable use of water. ",,2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Jason,Moeckel,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5240",jason.moeckel@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Modeling, Technical Assistance, Demonstration/Pilot Project","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clearwater, Douglas, Meeker, Swift, Wadena, Anoka, Becker, Hubbard, Pope, Ramsey, Stearns, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/groundwater-management-areas,,,,
20686,"Groundwater Management Areas",2015,,"M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(j)","$1808000 the first year is for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.287 subdivision 4. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency health and agriculture shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas. The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas special well construction areas groundwater provinces groundwater recharge areas and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater. This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations. This appropriation is available until June 30 2017. Note: Amount was amended in M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 6.","The DNR will conduct technical analysis of existing information in each GWMA and finalize a plan that can be approved by the DNR Commissioner and implemented over the next 5 years within these areas. Each plan will include specific actions that the DNR will take to: ensure groundwater use does not harm aquifers and ecosystems and does not negatively impact surface waters; ensure that groundwater use is reasonable efficient and complies with water conservation requirements; ensure groundwater use will not degrade water quality; ensure groundwater use does not create unresolved well interferences or water use conflicts; and ensure all groundwater users have the necessary permits to use groundwater. For complete information see the GWMAs webpage at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gwmp/areas.html ","The DNR continued technical analysis and worked with stakeholders to develop draft plans for the three proposed groundwater management areas. The areas include: the North and East Metro Bonanza Valley (Glenwood to Paynesville) and the Straight River (near Park Rapids). The draft plans include specific actions the DNR will take to ensure that water use is sustainable. ",,,,379861,93329,,3.2,,,"Minnesota’s use of groundwater has increased over the last two decades. An increasing reliance on groundwater may not be a sustainable path for continued economic growth and development. The DNR is establishing three pilot groundwater management areas (GWMA) to help improve groundwater appropriation decisions and help groundwater users better understand and plan for future groundwater needs associated with economic development. The three areas include: the North and East Metropolitan Region, which includes all of Ramsey and Washington Counties, and the southern portion of Anoka County; the second area includes the Straight River, near Park Rapids; and the third area includes portions of Pope, Stearns, and Kandiyohi counties, known as Bonanza Valley, which includes the towns of Glenwood, Brooten, Belgrade, Elrosa and other communities. Clean Water Funds are used to hire project managers, meeting facilitators and support stakeholder engagement to inform and advise the planning process.","Water is crucial to Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems. Minnesota has a well-deserved image of having abundant water resources, nevertheless, water is not evenly distributed across the state. Despite our popular image, water is becoming scarce in parts of Minnesota. Unprecedented water use conflicts are arising between businesses, towns, and residents. In most areas of the state, we are not yet in “crisis” mode when it comes to water availability. We have time to address these issues and ensure that Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems have adequate water supplies in the future. Each of the selected pilot Groundwater Management Areas has been experiencing increased use and reliance on groundwater to meet public or private needs. The purpose of a groundwater management area is to organize resources and people to better understand the risk of overuse and contamination in these areas, and to develop a plan that the Department of Natural Resources can implement to ensure sustainable use of water. ",,2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Jason,Moeckel,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5240",jason.moeckel@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Modeling, Technical Assistance, Demonstration/Pilot Project","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clearwater, Douglas, Meeker, Swift, Wadena, Anoka, Becker, Hubbard, Pope, Ramsey, Stearns, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/groundwater-management-areas,,,,
20686,"Groundwater Management Areas",2014,1808000,"M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(j)","$1808000 the first year is for beginning to develop and designate groundwater management areas under Minnesota Statutes section 103G.287 subdivision 4. The commissioner in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency health and agriculture shall establish a uniform statewide hydrogeologic mapping system that will include designated groundwater management areas. The mapping system must include wellhead protection areas special well construction areas groundwater provinces groundwater recharge areas and other designated or geographical areas related to groundwater. This mapping system shall be used to implement all groundwater-related laws and for reporting and evaluations. This appropriation is available until June 30 2017. Note: Amount was amended in M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 6.","In FY14 the DNR will lead a year-long effort in three proposed Groundwater Management Areas: the North and East Metro GWMA the Bonanza Valley GWMA and the Straight River GWMA. A series of stakeholder meetings will be held and Preliminary Assessment Reports will be completed for all three GWMAs.","In FY14 the DNR initiated planning projects and stakeholder involvement efforts to establish three groundwater management areas (GWMA’s). DNR formed a project advisory team (PAT) for each of these areas to provide advice and feedback during the GWMA planning process. The project advisory team includes cities permitted users business people conservation districts and other state agencies. DNR completed preliminary assessments of technical information and shared that information with the PAT’s over a series of monthly meetings. Discussions about potential actions are ongoing and will inform plan development. For complete information see the GWMAs webpage at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gwmp/areas.html ",,,,267151,62179,,2.5,,,"Minnesota’s use of groundwater has increased over the last two decades. An increasing reliance on groundwater may not be a sustainable path for continued economic growth and development. The DNR is establishing three pilot groundwater management areas (GWMA) to help improve groundwater appropriation decisions and help groundwater users better understand and plan for future groundwater needs associated with economic development. The three areas include: the North and East Metropolitan Region, which includes all of Ramsey and Washington Counties, and the southern portion of Anoka County; the second area includes the Straight River, near Park Rapids; and the third area includes portions of Pope, Stearns, and Kandiyohi counties, known as Bonanza Valley, which includes the towns of Glenwood, Brooten, Belgrade, Elrosa and other communities. Clean Water Funds are used to hire project managers, meeting facilitators and support stakeholder engagement to inform and advise the planning process.","Water is crucial to Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems. Minnesota has a well-deserved image of having abundant water resources, nevertheless, water is not evenly distributed across the state. Despite our popular image, water is becoming scarce in parts of Minnesota. Unprecedented water use conflicts are arising between businesses, towns, and residents. In most areas of the state, we are not yet in “crisis” mode when it comes to water availability. We have time to address these issues and ensure that Minnesota’s economies and ecosystems have adequate water supplies in the future. Each of the selected pilot Groundwater Management Areas has been experiencing increased use and reliance on groundwater to meet public or private needs. The purpose of a groundwater management area is to organize resources and people to better understand the risk of overuse and contamination in these areas, and to develop a plan that the Department of Natural Resources can implement to ensure sustainable use of water. ",,2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Jason,Moeckel,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5240",jason.moeckel@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Modeling, Technical Assistance, Demonstration/Pilot Project","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clearwater, Douglas, Meeker, Swift, Wadena, Anoka, Becker, Hubbard, Pope, Ramsey, Stearns, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/groundwater-management-areas,,,,
10033946,"Hardwood Hills Habitat Conservation Program",2024,1894000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 3(a)","$1,894,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance forest habitats in the hardwood hills ecological section of west-central Minnesota as follows: $175,000 to St. John's University and $1,719,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. $168,000 of the amount to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will permanently protect 450 acres of forest and wetland habitat in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced",,,227000,Landowners,1843000,51000,,0.57,"MLT and St. Johns University","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Hardwood Hills Habitat Conservation Program is focused on the protection of remaining high-quality forest systems and their associated biota within the Hardwood Hills ecological section of west-central Minnesota. Over 60 percent of forests in the Hardwood Hills have been lost to conversion over the past century, with lakeshore development and growth along the I-94 corridor near St. Cloud posing significant threats. In this first phase of the program, Minnesota Land Trust and Saint John's University will protect via permanent conservation easement 450 acres of priority forest and wetland habitats within the Avon Hills portion of the program area.","The Hardwood Hills subsection is an ecologically rich landscape in west-central Minnesota, where forests meet prairies. It encompasses approximately 3.5 million acres and consists of steep slopes and high rolling hills that were formed during the last ice age when massive glaciers sculpted the region. Scattered between these rolling hills are abundant kettle lakes and wetlands; many of these are small, but the region also contains more than 400 lakes larger than 160 acres. This transition zone includes a diversity of forest, prairie, and savanna habitats, numerous lakes and wetlands, and abundant wildlife, including 85 Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Our overarching program goal is to afford protection to the remaining high-quality ecological systems and their associated species in the Hardwood Hills, as represented in the State's Wildlife Action Network. The Hardwood Hills is under great development pressure, especially in the southern portions of the subsection towards St. Cloud. In this first phase of the Hardwood Hills Habitat Conservation program, we are prioritizing the southern portion of the Hardwood Hills, known as the Avon Hills, where threat is greatest. The Avon Hills area is a 65,000 acre natural landscape located just 15 miles northwest of St. Cloud. This hilly glacial moraine landscape rises from the surrounding farmland; it contains the highest concentration of native plant communities in Stearns County, including oak and maple-basswood forests, tamarack and mixed-hardwood swamps, and wet meadows. It harbors numerous rare species, including American ginseng, cerulean warbler, red-shouldered hawk, and Blanding's turtle. The area has been identified as a Conservation Focus Area in Minnesota DNR's Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025 and is consistent with conservation overlay district priorities of the Stearns County 2030 Comprehensive Plan. It is also a designated Audubon Important Bird Area. The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) and Saint John's University (SJU) have a long-standing and successful partnership to protect and restore the Avon Hills. Our goal is to permanently protect 70% of the Avon Hills (about 25,000 acres) over the next 20 years. With the assistance of the State of Minnesota and conservation-minded landowners, 6,647 acres of the Avon Hills have already been protected (>26.5% of our ambitious goal). The US Fish and Wildlife Service and other conservation entities have also prioritized protection efforts here, which indicates the importance of the region. Much of the Avon Hills is privately owned; high development pressure continues to elevate and threaten critical pieces of the existing ecosystem. Program partners will secure conservation easements from willing landowners to protect the highest quality wildlife habitat remaining within the Hardwood Hills. Employing a market-based approach to identifying and procuring easements, program partners will encourage landowners to donate significant portions of their easement value, representing a significant cost savings to the state. Saint John's University will serve as the primary local partner, conducting outreach within our priority areas and assisting with project selection. The Minnesota Land Trust will secure the conservation easements and steward them in perpetuity.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave W, Suite 240 ","St Paul",MN,55114,,wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/hardwood-hills-habitat-conservation-program-0,,,,
2942,"HCP VII - Shoreland Protection Program (3a)",2012,225000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04j3a","$1,737,000 the first year and $1,738,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $3,225,000 is for agreements as follows: $637,000 the first year and $638,000 the second year with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; $38,000 the first year and $37,000 the second year with Friends of Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District; $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second year with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe; $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the second year with Minnesota Land Trust; $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $242,000 the first year and $243,000 the second year with Pheasants Forever, Inc.; and $245,000 the first year and $245,000 the second year with The Trust for Public Land to plan, restore, and acquire fragmented landscape corridors that connect areas of quality habitat to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants. The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, is an authorized cooperating partner in the appropriation. Expenditures are limited to the project corridor areas as defined in the work program. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum habitat and facility management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of habitable residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program. An entity who acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement. Money appropriated from the trust fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring, management, and enforcement fund as approved in the work program. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,225000,,,2.31,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","With this appropriation, the Minnesota Land Trust plans to protect approximately 500 acres of critical shoreline habitat along Minnesota's lakes, wetlands, rivers, and streams by securing permanent conservation easements and dedicating funds for their perpetual monitoring, management, and enforcement. Lands being considered for permanent protection in this round of funding are located in Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Otter Tail, Pope, and Wabasha counties.OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSIn the seventh phase of our Shorelands Protection project, the Minnesota Land Trust continued to work with landowners to secure permanent conservation easements on quality habitat along or containing critical riparian lands. We initiated or continued contact with more than 30 landowners and completed eight conservation easements. Collectively, these easements preserve approximately 700 acres of land - exceeding our original goal of 400 to 600 acres - and protect nearly 34,172 linear feet of fragile shoreline. Highlights from the eight completed projects include:One donated easement over 30 acres in Kandiyohi County that protected over 2,600 feet of natural shoreline along the Middle Fork of the Crow River.A complex of five easements surrounding five lakes in Becker County that protected approximately 474 acres and over 3 miles of undeveloped shoreline. Four of the five easements were donated to the Land Trust.One donated easement in Otter Tail County that protected 48 acres and over 2,900 feet of shoreline along Blanche Lake, immediately adjacent to Glendalough State Park.Another donated easement that protected 145 acres of forest and wetlands in Beltrami County and preserved almost two miles of shoreline along Black Lake and Three Island Lake.Overall, this phase of the grant program protected 269 acres of forest, 183 acres of wetlands, and over 6 miles of undeveloped shoreline.All eight projects met the following selection criteria:Habitat: quality and quantity of existing habitat on site; protects riparian areas and buffers water resourcesContext: proximity and relationship to other protected landsOpportunity: cost-benefit ratio: landowners willingness and readiness to participate nowOther Benefits: meeting multiple objectives, including visual and physical access, forestry goals, water quality, etc.Additionally, the Land Trust prepared baseline property reports for each easement, detailing the condition of the property for future monitoring and enforcement. To fund this required perpetual obligation, the Land Trust dedicated funds to its segregated Stewardship and Enforcement Fund for several completed projects. For these projects, we estimated the anticipated annual expenses of each project and the investment needed to generate annual income sufficient to cover these expenses in perpetuity - all in accordance with our internal policies and procedures as approved by LCCMR. We will report to LCCMR annually on the status of the Stewardship and Enforcement Fund and the easements acquired with funds from this grant. All but one of the eight easements completed under this grant were entirely donated. The value is known for only two of the donated easements, which together total $204,000 in appraised donated value under this grant. The Land Trust purchased one of the Fischer Lakes easements for the appraised value of $170,000. The cost to the State of Minnesota to complete the eight projects completed under this phase of the grant was just under $600 per acre. Cumulatively, across all phases of the HCP program, the Land Trust has completed 89 conservation easements, protecting 8,245 acres of critical habitat and more than 258,000 feet of shoreline, at a cost to the State of approximately $320 per acre. The Land Trust's work on this project continues to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of working with conservation easements to protect natural and scenic resources along Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and streams, as the cost to the State was well below the cost to purchase land along our increasingly threatened shorelines. This grant continued to generate interest among landowners, and therefore, ongoing funding will be important to sustained success. Additionally, our experiences during this phase of the grant indicate that funds to purchase easements will be necessary in the future as work becomes more targeted, selective, and focused on building complexes of protected land. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The Land Trust disseminated information about the specific land protection projects completed under this grant though our newsletter, email updates, web site, and press releases. The Land Trust also shared information about conservation easements generally and our experience with our partner organizations, other easement holders, local communities, as well as policy makers including members of the LCCMR and LSOHC.",,"Final Report",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Sarah,Strommen,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave W, Ste 240","St Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 647-9590",sstrommen@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Cass, Clay, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Hubbard, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Rice, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Todd, Waseca, Wright",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/hcp-vii-shoreland-protection-program-3a,,,,
2942,"HCP VII - Shoreland Protection Program (3a)",2013,225000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 04j3a","$1,737,000 the first year and $1,738,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $3,225,000 is for agreements as follows: $637,000 the first year and $638,000 the second year with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; $38,000 the first year and $37,000 the second year with Friends of Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District; $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second year with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe; $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the second year with Minnesota Land Trust; $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $242,000 the first year and $243,000 the second year with Pheasants Forever, Inc.; and $245,000 the first year and $245,000 the second year with The Trust for Public Land to plan, restore, and acquire fragmented landscape corridors that connect areas of quality habitat to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants. The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, is an authorized cooperating partner in the appropriation. Expenditures are limited to the project corridor areas as defined in the work program. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum habitat and facility management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of habitable residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program. An entity who acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement. Money appropriated from the trust fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring, management, and enforcement fund as approved in the work program. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,225000,,,2.31,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","With this appropriation, the Minnesota Land Trust plans to protect approximately 500 acres of critical shoreline habitat along Minnesota's lakes, wetlands, rivers, and streams by securing permanent conservation easements and dedicating funds for their perpetual monitoring, management, and enforcement. Lands being considered for permanent protection in this round of funding are located in Becker, Beltrami, Blue Earth, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Otter Tail, Pope, and Wabasha counties.OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTSIn the seventh phase of our Shorelands Protection project, the Minnesota Land Trust continued to work with landowners to secure permanent conservation easements on quality habitat along or containing critical riparian lands. We initiated or continued contact with more than 30 landowners and completed eight conservation easements. Collectively, these easements preserve approximately 700 acres of land - exceeding our original goal of 400 to 600 acres - and protect nearly 34,172 linear feet of fragile shoreline. Highlights from the eight completed projects include:One donated easement over 30 acres in Kandiyohi County that protected over 2,600 feet of natural shoreline along the Middle Fork of the Crow River.A complex of five easements surrounding five lakes in Becker County that protected approximately 474 acres and over 3 miles of undeveloped shoreline. Four of the five easements were donated to the Land Trust.One donated easement in Otter Tail County that protected 48 acres and over 2,900 feet of shoreline along Blanche Lake, immediately adjacent to Glendalough State Park.Another donated easement that protected 145 acres of forest and wetlands in Beltrami County and preserved almost two miles of shoreline along Black Lake and Three Island Lake.Overall, this phase of the grant program protected 269 acres of forest, 183 acres of wetlands, and over 6 miles of undeveloped shoreline.All eight projects met the following selection criteria:Habitat: quality and quantity of existing habitat on site; protects riparian areas and buffers water resourcesContext: proximity and relationship to other protected landsOpportunity: cost-benefit ratio: landowners willingness and readiness to participate nowOther Benefits: meeting multiple objectives, including visual and physical access, forestry goals, water quality, etc.Additionally, the Land Trust prepared baseline property reports for each easement, detailing the condition of the property for future monitoring and enforcement. To fund this required perpetual obligation, the Land Trust dedicated funds to its segregated Stewardship and Enforcement Fund for several completed projects. For these projects, we estimated the anticipated annual expenses of each project and the investment needed to generate annual income sufficient to cover these expenses in perpetuity - all in accordance with our internal policies and procedures as approved by LCCMR. We will report to LCCMR annually on the status of the Stewardship and Enforcement Fund and the easements acquired with funds from this grant. All but one of the eight easements completed under this grant were entirely donated. The value is known for only two of the donated easements, which together total $204,000 in appraised donated value under this grant. The Land Trust purchased one of the Fischer Lakes easements for the appraised value of $170,000. The cost to the State of Minnesota to complete the eight projects completed under this phase of the grant was just under $600 per acre. Cumulatively, across all phases of the HCP program, the Land Trust has completed 89 conservation easements, protecting 8,245 acres of critical habitat and more than 258,000 feet of shoreline, at a cost to the State of approximately $320 per acre. The Land Trust's work on this project continues to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of working with conservation easements to protect natural and scenic resources along Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and streams, as the cost to the State was well below the cost to purchase land along our increasingly threatened shorelines. This grant continued to generate interest among landowners, and therefore, ongoing funding will be important to sustained success. Additionally, our experiences during this phase of the grant indicate that funds to purchase easements will be necessary in the future as work becomes more targeted, selective, and focused on building complexes of protected land. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The Land Trust disseminated information about the specific land protection projects completed under this grant though our newsletter, email updates, web site, and press releases. The Land Trust also shared information about conservation easements generally and our experience with our partner organizations, other easement holders, local communities, as well as policy makers including members of the LCCMR and LSOHC.",,"Final Report",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Sarah,Strommen,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave W, Ste 240","St Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 647-9590",sstrommen@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition, Monitoring","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Cass, Clay, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Hubbard, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Rice, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Todd, Waseca, Wright",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/hcp-vii-shoreland-protection-program-3a,,,,
10035273,"Highbanks Ravine Bat Hibernaculum",2025,2300000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(v)","$2,300,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of St. Cloud to enhance the Highbanks Ravine Bat Hibernaculum in St. Cloud.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - The success of the brick-and-mortar tunnel hibernaculum will be measured in the ability to create the environmental conditions that bat species will desire for the winter. The ideal habitat is air temperatures of 32 - 44 degrees F; fresh water available; and tunnel does not flood. These conditions can be measured by placement of an electronic measuring device post construction. The ultimate measure of success for the hibernaculum will be bat use, which will likely occur via MNDNR surveys. The measurement of success of the bank stabilization portions include the establishment of permanent vegetation and no erosion",,,4002000,"City of St. Cloud, City of St. Cloud, Stearns County and FEMA and LCCMR",2300000,,,0.15,"City of St. Cloud","Local/Regional Government","The City of St. Cloud is proposing a project that will enhance a critical bat hibernaculum in central Minnesota. The DNR protected Highbanks Bat Hibernaculum is a brick-and-mortar structure constructed in the early 1900s. The hibernaculum has historically been home to hundreds of bats, but over the past several years, stormwater flow and flooding to the top of the structure have been detrimental for the bats to roost. The project, which is fully designed and shovel ready, will remove the stormwater and flooding from the hibernaculum, enhancing the habitat to where bats will continue to utilize the hibernaculum.","The Highbanks Bat Hibernaculum has historically been studied by SCSU staff starting in 1952 through the 2000's. Surveys indicated the number of bats within the hibernaculum to range from 50 to over 500. Surveys were also completed by Gerda Norquist with the MNDNR in 1992, 2006, 2012 and 2016, who noted that surveys completed prior to 2006 found hundreds of bats roosting in the hibernaculum. The most recent surveys found only two (2) big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) on both occasions. Ms. Norquist noted during recent visits the occurrence of more frequent flash flood events and evidence of stormwater flooding to the top of the structure, is detrimental to bats roosting there. The hibernaculum is also an active stormwater conveyance system. Stormwater from approximately 125 acres of residential and commercial land use drain into the hibernaculum, causing the detrimental flooding events. The hibernaculum/stormwater convenance discharges into the 680 linear foot, 40-foot-deep Highbanks Ravine which outlets into the Mississippi River. Stormwater flows through the ravine cause significant erosion and sedimentation into the Mississippi River, impacting fish and aquatic habitat. The plume of sediment is visible on aerials. According to an article (The Chronicle [January 23, 1979] (stcloudstate.edu)) the hibernaculum should be a cool place (32-44 degrees F) with a water supply as the bats will crawl down and get a drink occasionally. The brick-and-mortar tunnel provides the perfect environment with cool temperatures, cracks for the bats to crawl into for the winter, and a water source (Mississippi River) nearby. The Highbanks Ravine habitats are listed as a Floodplain Forest and Mesic Hardwood Forest. Having this habitat adjacent to the river and hibernaculum is ideal for the bats as they emerge from hibernation. The bats can exit, find food immediately and rest in the trees. The City has been working closely with the MNDNR over the past eight years to identify a solution to address the negative and detrimental stormwater impacts on the bat hibernaculum and Mississippi River. After a detailed assessment of varying options ranging from eliminating the bat hibernaculum, creating an alternative bat roosting area, re-routing stormwater flow, and many other options, the MNDNR and City have identified the best option to enhance habitat in the area is to remove/route the stormwater flow away from the bat hibernaculum and around the ravine. The proposed project is unique and a non-traditional habitat enhancement project in that the project includes the installation of a stormwater pipe. The new stormwater pipe alignment eliminates flows to the brick-and-mortar tunnel by rerouting the lateral stormwater pipes to the south along 4th Street South and would outlet directly into the Mississippi River, and removes downstream inflow to the ravine along 2nd Ave S. The new route will improve water quality by eliminating flow and erosion within the ravine. This re-route is critical in the enhancement of the hibernaculum as it eliminates the flooding of the tunnel and improves fish and aquatic habitat by reducing sediment into the Mississippi River.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Emma,Larson,"City of St. Cloud","1201 7th Street S. ","St. Cloud",MN,56301,320-255-7225,emma.larson@ci.stcloud.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,"Forest Prairie Transition",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/highbanks-ravine-bat-hibernaculum-0,,,,
10003504,"Imperiled Prairie Butterfly Conservation, Research and Breeding Program",2015,245000,"M.L. 2014, Chp. 226, Sec. 2, Subd. 05j2","$380,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Minnesota Zoological Garden and $245,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to prevent the extirpation and possible extinction of imperiled native Minnesota butterfly species through breeding, genetics and mortality research, inventory, monitoring, and public education. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,245000,,,3.09,"MN DNR","State Government","With only 1% of Minnesota’s native prairie remaining, many prairie plant and animal species have dramatically declined. Of the 12 butterfly species native to Minnesota prairies, two species, the Poweshiek skipperling and the Dakota skipper, have already largely disappeared from the state and are proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act despite being historically among the most common prairie butterflies and having their historic ranges concentrated in Minnesota. The Minnesota Zoo and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are using this appropriation to conduct efforts aimed at preventing the extirpation and possible extinction of these butterfly species in Minnesota. Efforts will include expansion of both a butterfly research and conservation breeding program and ongoing butterfly survey and monitoring programs. Because of the ecological role of butterflies as pollinators and a food source for wildlife, analysis should also reveal important information about the greater prairie ecosystem and guide actions to be taken to protect it.",,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2014/work_plans/2014_05j2.pdf,2014-07-01,2017-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Robert,Dana,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd, Box 32","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5086",robert.dana@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dodge, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, McLeod, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pipestone, Polk, Rock, Roseau, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Traverse, Yellow Medicine",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/imperiled-prairie-butterfly-conservation-research-and-breeding-program-2,,,,
10031436,"Implementing Innovative Techniques to Manage Low-Density Invasive Carp",2025,634000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 06c","$634,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to implement new and innovative methods and to enhance ongoing efforts to detect, monitor, and remove invasive carp and to evaluate watershed boundaries for potential breaches to avoid invasive carp establishment in Minnesota.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,5.7,"MN DNR","State Government","This project will enhance the current program, integrating new invasive carp control and detection methods to monitor and remove invasive carp to avoid establishment in Minnesota.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Brian,Nerbonne,"MN DNR","1200 Warner Road","St. Paul",MN,55106,"(651) 259-5789",brian.nerbonne@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/implementing-innovative-techniques-manage-low-density-invasive-carp,,,,
33207,"Improving Community Forests Through Citizen Engagement",2016,800000,"M.L. 2015, Chp. 76, Sec. 2, Subd. 08h","$800,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to design and pilot a program, including grants to communities, to mobilize citizen volunteers to protect, improve, and maintain local forests in communities around the state. Participation is open to any municipality in the state and participating municipalities will be selected through a competitive proposal process that will include representation from both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of the state. Trees planted using this appropriation must be species that are native to Minnesota. A participating municipality must provide a match of not less than 25 percent, up to half of which may be in the form of in-kind support. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,,,,,"Minnesota Pollution Control Agency","State Government",,,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2015/work_plans_may/_2015_08h.pdf,2015-07-01,2019-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Valerie,McClannahan,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5283",valerie.mcclannahan@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Olmsted, Ramsey, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/improving-community-forests-through-citizen-engagement,,,,
10004518,"Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers",2017,1500000,"M.L. 2016, Chp. 186, Sec. 2, Subd. 03e","$1,500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to complete the update and enhancement of wetland inventory maps for counties in central and northwestern Minnesota. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,,,,,"MN DNR","State Government",,,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2016/work_plans_may/_2016_03e.pdf,2016-07-01,2019-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Steve,Kloiber,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd, Box 25","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5164",steve.kloiber@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Douglas, Grant, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/increasing-diversity-environmental-careers-0,,,,
9501,"Lake Koronis Regional Park",2010,150000,"M.L 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec 2d & M.S. 85.535.","$3970000 the first year and $4900000 the second year are for grants under new Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to parks and trails recognized as meeting the constitutional requirement of being a park or trail of regional or statewide significance. Grants under this section must be used only for acquisition development restoration and maintenance. Of this amount $500000 the first year and $600000 the second year are for grants for solar energy projects. Up to 2.5 percent of this appropriation may be used for administering the grants.",,,,,,,,,,"County Of Meeker",,"Renovate campground including three camper cabins, park office and accessible storm shelter building, early warning system (safety) and a playground.",,,2010-02-17,2011-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Audrey,Mularie,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5549",audrey.mularie@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/lake-koronis-regional-park-0,,,,
730,"Linking Habitat Restoration to Bioenergy and Local Economies",2011,600000,"M.L. 2010, Chp. 362, Sec. 2, Subd. 07c","$600,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to restore high quality native habitats and expand market opportunities for utilizing postharvest restoration as a bioenergy source. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2013, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,,,,,DNR,"State Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW More than 7,000 acres of public and private lands needing restoration have been identified within 75 miles of St. Paul. Given the various emerging markets for woody biomass, a unique opportunity has been identified. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will use this appropriation to continue development of an innovative approach to improving lands by harvesting ecologically inappropriate woody vegetation and working with local markets to turn the resulting biomass into marketable products such as mulch, animal bedding, firewood, and wood pellets for energy generation. Funds raised from the sale of these products could then be used to expand this type of model into other areas of Minnesota. In addition to helping stimulate local economies, benefits of this approach also include enhanced biodiversity and effective utilization of woody material traditionally burned or landfilled. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS This innovative project helped restore 385 acres of critical habitat and high quality native plant communities by removing ecologically inappropriate woody vegetation (exotic and/or native species) while stimulating local economies through jobs and strategic utilization of the biomass material for bioenergy and other products. This project facilitated habitat restoration efforts that might not have otherwise occurred while making the woody material, traditionally burned or landfilled, available to established and emerging woody biomass markets. Of the $600,000 appropriation, $490,666 was spent on eleven projects. Seven non-DNR public and private landowners received a total of $324,530 granted through a competitive process. Four DNR projects received a total of $166,136. A variety of types of projects (based on restoration goals, species/type of woody biomass material, density, distance, land ownership, utilization opportunity, etc.) were completed. Projects were selected based on critical requirements including ecological value and recovery potential of the project site, current ecologically-based management plan, project-specific harvest plan, post-harvest restoration plan, and demonstrated capacity and long-term commitment to effectively manage the site to achieve and maintain restoration goals. Viable markets were identified prior to project implementation. Utilization of the woody biomass resulted in 291 semi-truck loads or 5,280 tons for bioenergy, 242 semi-truck loads of commercial mulch, 450 cords of pine sawlogs, 6 log loads of cottonwood for pallets, and pine cabin logs. Biomass material was either sold separately from the harvest with revenue collected, or in conjunction with the harvest where contractors valued the material (deducted from the harvest bid) and were responsible for final utilization. Revenues collected ($11,100) and values attributed ($4,000) were reinvested for further purposes of the project. This project demonstrated that there are opportunities to sell or properly utilize ecologically inappropriate woody vegetation removed through habitat restoration activities. The long-term vision for this effort is to achieve an ecologically sound and systematic approach that addresses: current and future issues of habitat restoration and enhancement; renewable energy and climate change; invasive species, and natural resources conservation planning and implementation - all of which are effected, to some degree, by the impacts and opportunities of woody biomass. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The webpage ""Linking Habitat Restoration to Bioenergy and Local Economies"" located at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/habitat_biomass.htmlprovides an overview of the entire project, the project fact sheet, the LCCMR-approved Work Program, and the final report. Project data were compiled and regularly updated for the DNR's Grant Outcomes webpage to provide project descriptions, funding information, indicators, targets and outcomes information. The website is located at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/outcomes/index.html. Project information was shared at public workshops, conferences and meetings through formal presentations, panel discussions, informal conversations and handouts, such as the project fact sheet and other printed materials, targeted for the audience. Project information was also shared with DNR staff through staff meetings, project coordination, formal presentations, and informal discussions. Telephone conversations and meetings were convened with land managers/owners, harvest contractors, and biomass market industry representatives to discuss the project, garner insights for improvements to implementing this project, identify challenges and opportunities to move this effort forward and to facilitate connections between landowners, contractors, and biomass end-users.The key messages were:For land managers/owners conducting habitat restoration projects: explore and implement the option to utilize the biomass material removed versus piling and burning or landfilling;For contractors: provide the combined service of harvest and utilization of the material; andFor end-users: acknowledge habitat restoration projects as a potential significant source of material and to seek this opportunity.",,"FINAL REPORT",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Barb,Spears,DNR,"1200 Warner Rd","St. Paul",MN,55106,"(651) 259-5849",barb.spears@dnr.state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Dodge, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Le Sueur, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Nicollet, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/linking-habitat-restoration-bioenergy-and-local-economies,,,,
10006480,"Living Shallow Lake Enhancement & Wetland Restoration Initiative - Phase VII",2019,3740000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(f)"," $3,740,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on public lands and wetlands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife management. A list of proposed shallow lake enhancements and wetland restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Enhanced shallow lake productivity - Shallow lakes enhanced via temporary water level draw-downs made possible by DU-engineered and installed water control structures will be assessed by Minnesota DNR shallow lakes program surveys both before and after draw-downs to document improvements in water clarity, abundance of aquatic plants, and overall improvements in the aquatic ecology of each basin. Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service field staff also conduct periodic counts of waterfowl and other wildlife using these basins in both spring and fall, along with hunters, and thus wildlife and human use is also monitored on a more informal basis..",,,140000,"DU private and future federal NAWCA",3670000,70000,,7,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 6 request for Ducks Unlimited’s Living Lakes program will enhance 1,000 acres of shallow lakes and restore 50 acres of small wetlands by engineering and installing water control structures for Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on public lands and wetlands under easement. Structures will be used by DNR and Service partners to restore wetland hydrology and actively manage shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other birds, and hunters in the Prairie Region of Minnesota. DU will engineer structures and contract with private sector firms for construction and earth-moving work.","This is Phase 6 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing shallow lake enhancement and prairie wetland restoration conservation program, and will enhance 1,000 acres of shallow lakes and restore 50 acres of small wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. DU provides wetland engineering services to the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) to survey, design, and install water level control structures to enhance degraded shallow lakes and restore drained wetlands on public land and under easement. Water control structures will be used to conduct temporary water level draw-downs to rejuvenate shallow lake ecology and productivity. DU engineers will survey and design water control structures, and will manage their construction by private sector firms contracted by DU.Shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration are top priority actions in all major conservation plans for Minnesota. Our work addresses the habitat goals identified in North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Minnesota’s Prairie Conservation Plan, and Minnesota’s Duck Recovery Plan which calls for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and adding 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota’s landscape. This work is time-sensitive because complex shallow lake enhancement projects take several years to design and implement, and because wetlands restorations are critically needed for breeding waterfowl. Healthy and abundant wetlands are required to sustain breeding and migrating waterfowl. Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of our prairie wetlands along with 99% of native prairie uplands around them. This has had a profound negative impact on breeding ducks and other prairie wetland wildlife here. Shallow lakes and wetlands that remain are often those that were too deep to drain years ago, and they now function as the core of Minnesota’s remaining waterfowl habitat complexes. Unfortunately, these remaining wetland basins now often receive the excessive nutrient-laden water runoff from an intensively drained and interconnected landscape through which invasive fish such as carp have improved access. As a result, many of our remaining wetlands and shallow lakes are turbid and degraded due to highly drained watersheds, high and stable water levels in which nutrients collect and carp and other invasive fish proliferate. The result is that aquatic ecology functions stagnate and wetland productivity declines, and wetland basins with few aquatic plants and invertebrates result. This is especially detrimental to diving ducks and other species that rely exclusively on aquatic plant and invertebrate foods within wetlands and shallow lakes to survive. These factors have caused a decline in Minnesota’s diverse waterfowl resources, and in Minnesota’s rich waterfowling tradition too.This funding request will support DU projects that biologists and wetland engineering staff assess shallow lake and wetland restoration project feasibility, and design and manage construction of water control structures and fish barriers required to improve public water shallow lakes and restore wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. Funding will support ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU biologists and engineers to assess, survey, and design future projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations for this program.",,2018-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(3207629916) -",jschneider@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Swift, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lake-enhancement-wetland-restoration-initiative-phase-vii,,,,
10000090,"Living Shallow Lake Enhancement & Wetland Restoration Initiative - Phase V",2018,4716000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(f)","$4,716,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on public lands and wetlands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife management purposes. A list of proposed shallow lake enhancements and wetland restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"This program enhances and restores shallow lakes, large marshes, and small pothole wetlands in Minnesota's Prairie Section. Many wildlife species of greatest conservation need and those listed as Threatened or Endangered rely on wetlands or are wetland-dependent. As Minnesota has lost 90% of our wetlands in the Prairie Section and most of the larger marshes and shallow lakes there are turbid and degraded due to agricultural drainage runoff and invasive fish (especially common carp), this conservation work directly benefits the habitat needs of many Minnesota wildlife species of greatest conservation need, including Threatened/Endangered species found in Minnesota's Prairie Section.","A total of 3,520 acres were affected: 83 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 3,437 in Enhance.",886800,"DU Private, DU Private and NAWCA Federal, Federal NAWCA, DU Private and NAWCA Federal and DU Private",4644600,71400,,6.5,"Ducks Unlimited","State Government","Ducks Unlimited successfully enhanced 3,437 wetland acres and restored 83 wetland acres through this grant, which significantly exceeds our grant acre goals of 2,000 acres of wetland enhancement and 50 acres of wetlands restored for this 2017 OHF appropriation. Ducks Unlimited successfully completed this work by spending 99% of this OHF grant appropriation while also providing significantly more non-state leverage than proposed, specifically $886,800, which is 443% more than the $200,000 pledged back in 2017 by successfully leveraging several federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants along with providing more DU private funding too.","Ducks Unlimited promptly began spending this ML 2017 OHF grant in July 2017, with DU biologists and engineers surveying and designing several new shallow lake enhancement projects while beginning construction of several previously-designed projects too. The following is a list of wetland projects and acres completed by Ducks Unlimited for the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under this 2017 OHF appropriation: 458 wetland acres enhanced in North and South Badger Lakes in Murray County, where DU constructed a new variable-crest water level control weir structure on the outlet of North Lake. 30-acre wetland enhancement on Riverside WMA in Lac Qui Parle County. 102 acres enhanced in two wetlands on Haydenville WMA in Lac Qui Parle County. 361-acre Sanborn Lake was enhanced with a large variable-crest water level control structure in Le Sueur County. 150 wetland acres enhanced via new water control structure on the outlet of Tyler WMA in Lincoln County. 206-acre Long Lake was enhanced with a water control structure in Cottonwood County. 13 acres of wetlands restored on the Ullenhop USFWS Easement adjacent to Long Lake in Cottonwood County. 202 acres enhanced in Hurricane Lake in Cottonwood County by modifying and improving the existing water level control structure to make it more effective and manageable. 706-acre Lake Hassel was enhanced in Swift County north of Benson; 290 acres wetland acres enhanced on Redhead Slough WPA in Grant County; 216-acre Ward Lake enhanced in McLeod County; 260-acre Timm Lake enhanced in Yellow Medicine County; 5 acres of wetlands restored on Fish Lake WPA in Cottonwood County; 14 acres of wetlands restored on Buffalo Lake WPA in Murray County 2 acres of wetlands restored on the Welch USFWS Easement in Meeker Co. 20 acres of wetlands restored on the Doering USFWS Easement in Meeker Co. 1 acre wetland restored on Harder Lake WPA in Cottonwood County; 16 acres of wetlands enhanced on Ben Wade WPA in Pope County; 20 acres of wetlands restored on Ward Lake WMA in Sibley County; 3 acres of wetlands restored on Watonwan River WPA in Cottonwood County; 5 acres of wetlands restored on Cottonwood Lake WPA in Cottonwood County, and, 440-acre Curtis Lake enhanced in Yellow Medicine County. Total accomplishments include 3,437 wetland acres enhanced and 83 wetland acres restored by DU through this grant, which significantly exceeds the acre goals of 2,000 acres of shallow lake enhancement and restore 50 acres of wetland habitat for this 2017 OHF appropriation.",,2017-07-01,2023-01-19,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,3207629916,jschneider@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Meeker, Murray, Pope, Sibley, Swift, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lake-enhancement-wetland-restoration-initiative-phase-v,,,,
9815,"Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Initiative, Phase 2",2013,4490000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(d)","$4,490,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to assess, restore, and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands, including technical assistance, survey, design, and engineering to develop new enhancement and restoration projects for future implementation. A list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Restored 150 acres and Enhanced 2,936 acres of wetlands",,839300,"Ducks Unlimited private funds and federal funds",4490000,24000,,2.3,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 2 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing engineering program restored and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands by installing water level control structures to improve aquatic plant abundance and water clarity in partnership with the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Ducks Unlimited engineered and completed 20 projects, including 3 wetland restorations and 17 shallow lake enhancements.  In all, this work restored 150 wetland acres and enhanced 2,936 shallow lake acres for a total of 3,086 wetland acres completed, surpassing our goals and spending all the state funds appropriated while providing $839,300 in non-state funding as leverage, well-beyond our proposal.",,"This grant was Phase 2 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing engineering program restored and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands by installing water level control structures to improve aquatic plant abundance and water clarity in partnership with the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.  Ducks Unlimited engineered and successfully completed 20 wetland projects through this appropriation, including 3 wetland restorations and 17 shallow lake enhancements.  In all, this work restored 150 wetland acres and enhanced 2,936 shallow lake acres for a total of 3,086 wetland acres completed, surpassing our goals and spending all the state funds appropriated while providing $839,300 in non-state funding as leverage, well-beyond the goals in our proposal and accomplishment plan.Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of our prairie wetlands, and many wetlands in other ecoregions of the state, to drainage. The shallow lakes and large marshes that remain now serve as the core of Minnesota’s remaining waterfowl habitat complexes, and are often those basins that were too deep to drain. These remaining wetlands now receive excessive water and nutrient runoff from a highly altered and intensively drained landscape, and are easily accessed by invasive fish such as common carp. As a result, many basins are now turbid and degraded due to high, stable water levels that allow carp and other invasive fish to proliferate and aquatic ecology to stagnate. The results is a lack of aquatic plants and invertebrates required to sustain migrating and breeding waterfowl, especially those species that rely on aquatic foods exclusively such as diving ducks.As a result, ducks migrating through Minnesota on their way north to breed in spring find sparse aquatic food resources, much to their detriment further north, and also again in the fall when their passage through Minnesota appears briefer each year. Those waterfowl that remain here to breed find poor brood-rearing habitat, as shallow lakes and marshes have a paucity of high quality wetland habitat with abundant aquatic plants and invertebrate food resources on which young ducks rely. These factors have contributed to a decline in Minnesota’s diverse waterfowl resources and, unfortunately, a decline in Minnesota’s rich waterfowling traditions.To remedy this situation, Ducks Unlimited’s “Living Lakes Initiative” assists the Minnesota DNR, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other conservation partners to enhance and restore Minnesota’s shallow lakes and wetlands. This grant supported Phase 2 of Ducks Unlimited's biological and engineering work to design and construct water control structures and fish barriers. DU biologists worked closely with Minnesota DNR Shallow Lakes Program biologists to assess wetland conditions and identify possible management solutions. DU biologists and engineers surveyed, designed, and constructed the water control infrastructure necessary for state and federal agency staff to actively manage water levels. Funding in this request also supported ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU biologists and engineers to assess, survey, and design future projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations.Most enhancement work occured in the Prairie Region by design, as that is where waterfowl are in most need of habitat improvements.  Structures are used by agency managers to simulate natural temporary drought cycles in shallow lakes and wetlands that rejuvenate the aquatic ecological process that produces abundant aquatic plants and invertebrates. These structures last for 30 or more years and are generally use by agency staff every 5-7 years to conduct periodic temporary draw-downs that are key to enhancing and maintaining highly productive wetlands. Importantly, DU also restored smaller wetlands on public and other protected land near shallow lakes. Shallow lakes were selected for enhancement by DNR and FWS managers, and generally enjoy strong support from the public for improvement. The Minnesota DNR holds public meetings to share information on the current condition and management plan for shallow lakes designated for wildlife management purposes.PlanningEvery statewide conservation plan recognizes the need for improving and protecting Minnesota’s shallow lakes and associated wetlands for optimal wildlife habitat. The Minnesota DNR’s Duck Recovery Plan is the most specific, calling for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and adding 64,000 restored wetlands to Minnesota’s landscape. DU’s Living Lakes Initiative supports this plan through a goal of improving 300 Minnesota shallow lakes in 10 years. Shallow lakes and wetlands are identified as critical habitat for several “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” listed in Minnesota’s “Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild & Rare: An Action Plan for Minnesota Wildlife”, including lesser scaup, northern pintail, and trumpeter swan.Importantly, Ducks Unlimited’s Living Lakes Initiative directly address Minnesota’s Statewide Conservation & Preservation Plan Habitat Recommendations #4 and #5 on pages 78 and 80, respectively, which calls for the restoration and protection of shallow lakes (page 78) and the restoration of land, wetlands, and watersheds (page 80). This program addresses the LSOHC priorities of wetland and shallow lake restoration and enhancement in the Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition sections. Finally, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan’s Prairie Pothole Joint Venture prioritizes the restoration and management of wetlands and shallow lakes through goals and objectives for improved brood-rearing and migration habitat for ducks. Many of the shallow lakes and wetlands prioritized for enhancement by DU are located within wetland habitat complexes identified by the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Strategic Habitat Conservation model and are high priority basins for both Service and Minnesota DNR field managers. DU shallow lake and wetland enhancement work is performed in close coordination and collaboration with either the Minnesota DNR or U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and these agencies assume all future management and operation responsibilities for water control structures designed and installed by DU.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road",Alexandria,MN,56308,"(320) 762-9916",jschneider@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Murray, Otter Tail, Sibley, Stearns, Wadena, Wright","Forest Prairie Transition, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lakes-and-wetlands-initiative-phase-2,,,,
10033950,"Living Shallow Lakes & Wetlands Enhancement & Restoration Initiative - Phase IX",2024,6634000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(f)","$6,634,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes, wetlands, and grasslands on public lands and wetlands and grasslands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife management. A list of proposed shallow-lake enhancements and wetland restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","DU will enhance shallow lakes and wetlands to make them more productive for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife, which is a statewide concern due to statewide wetland loss and degradation. Wildlife response to wetland project improvements will be monitored, measured, and evaluated by conservation agency partner biologists including Minnesota DNR, USFWS, and Tribal Department of Natural Resource staff biologists. Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - This program will restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands on federal Waterfowl Production Areas and USFWS Habitat easements, and similar wetlands for MNDNR, each of which will be selected strategically by USFWS and MNDNR to benefit existing wetland complexes and migratory birds for both breeding and migration habitat, and which will be monitored by USFWS and MNDNR. Game lakes are significant contributors of waterfowl, due to efforts to protect uplands adjacent to game lakes - DU will enhance and restore shallow lakes and wetlands on the Minnesota Valley NWR and federal Waterfowl Production Areas perpetually protected, managed, monitored, and evaluated annually by highly-trained U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wildlife biologists. Service staff will guide the enhancement and restoration work by DU, and will evaluate wetland habitat outcomes annually to guide future management actions. Enhanced shallow lake productivity - Wetland and shallow lakes restored or enhanced via temporary water level draw-downs by DU-engineered and installed water control structures will be assessed by Minnesota DNR shallow lakes program surveys both before and after draw-downs to document improvements in water clarity, abundance of aquatic plants, and overall improvements in the aquatic ecology of each basin. Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service field staff also conduct periodic counts of waterfowl and other wildlife using these basins in both spring and fall, along with hunters, and thus wildlife and human use is also monitored on a more informative opportunistic basis",,,584300,"DU Private & federal NAWCA, MBCF, and Circle of Flight, Federal NAWCA and DU Private and Federal USFWS Migratory Bird Conservation Funds",6579000,55000,,1.76,DU,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 9 request for Ducks Unlimited's Living Lakes program will enhance or restore 1,440 acres of wetlands and adjacent prairie grasslands for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Minnesota DNR on public lands and private lands under permanent easement. DU biologists and engineers will design wetland restorations and water control structures for active management of shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other wildlife, and people, primarily in SW Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region. While DU staff will design restoration and enhancement projects, DU will hire private contractors to conduct restoration and enhancement","This Phase 9 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration conservation program will enhance or restore at least 1,440 acres of shallow lakes, wetlands, and prairie grasslands, primarily in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. DU biologists work with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and Minnesota DNR field staff to restore and enhance wetlands on public land and under easement, and DU engineers design water level control structures to enhance degraded shallow lakes for DNR. Water control structures are used for temporary water level draw-downs to rejuvenate shallow lake ecology and productivity for wildlife. Restoration work and structures are constructed by private sector firms hired by DU and are managed by FWS/DNR. Adjacent grasslands may be enhanced with tree removal. Shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration are top priority actions in all major conservation plans for Minnesota. Our work addresses the habitat goals identified in North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan, and Minnesota's Duck Recovery Plan which calls for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and restoring 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota's landscape. This work is time-sensitive because complex shallow lake enhancement projects take several years to design and implement, and because wetland restorations are critically needed for breeding waterfowl. Healthy and abundant wetlands are required to sustain breeding and migrating waterfowl. Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of our prairie wetlands and 99% of native prairie grasslands around them. This has had a profound negative impact on breeding ducks and other prairie wetland wildlife here. Our remaining shallow lakes and wetlands are often those that were too deep to drain years ago, and now function as the core of Minnesota's remaining waterfowl habitat complexes. Unfortunately, these remaining wetland basins now receive the excessive nutrient-laden water runoff from an intensively drained and interconnected landscape through which invasive fish such as carp have improved access. As a result, many of our remaining wetlands and shallow lakes are turbid and degraded due to drainage they received and high, stabilized water levels in which nutrients collect and invasive fish proliferate. This results in stagnated aquatic wetland ecology and productivity, and wetland basins with few aquatic plants and invertebrates for birds to eat. This is especially detrimental to diving ducks and other wetland-dependent species that rely exclusively on aquatic plant and invertebrate foods within wetlands and shallow lakes to survive. These factors have caused a significant decline in Minnesota's once diverse waterfowl population, and as a result, in Minnesota's rich waterfowling traditions. This funding request will support DU staff biologists and engineers who survey, design, and manage construction of shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration projects to improve public water shallow lakes and restore wetlands and grasslands, primarily in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. Funding will also support ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU staff to assess, survey, and design future enhancement and wetland projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations for this program.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lindstrom,"Ducks Unlimited","c/o U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Litchfield WMD Office 22274 615th Avenue",Litchfield,MN,55355,3206932849ext-8,jlindstrom@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Washington, Watonwan, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lakes-wetlands-enhancement-restoration-initiative-phase-ix-0,,,,
10035242,"Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement & Restoration Initiative - Phase X",2025,7867000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(h)","$7,867,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on public lands and wetlands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife management.","DU will enhance shallow lakes and wetlands to make them more productive for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife, which is a statewide concern due to statewide wetland loss and degradation. Wildlife response to wetland project improvements will be monitored, measured, and evaluated by conservation agency partner biologists including Minnesota DNR, USFWS, and Tribal Department of Natural Resource staff biologists. Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - This program will restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands on federal Waterfowl Production Areas and USFWS Habitat easements, and similar wetlands for MNDNR, each of which will be selected strategically by USFWS and MNDNR to benefit existing wetland complexes and migratory birds for both breeding and migration habitat, and which will be monitored by USFWS and MNDNR. Game lakes are significant contributors of waterfowl, due to efforts to protect uplands adjacent to game lakes - DU will enhance and restore shallow lakes and wetlands on the Three Rivers Park District, Sherburne NWR, and Minnesota Valley NWR and federal Waterfowl Production Areas perpetually protected, managed, monitored, and evaluated annually by highly-trained U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wildlife biologists. Park and service staff will guide the enhancement and restoration work by DU, and will evaluate wetland habitat outcomes annually to guide future management actions. Enhanced shallow lake productivity - Wetland and shallow lakes restored or enhanced via temporary water level draw-downs by DU-engineered and installed water control structures will be assessed by Minnesota DNR shallow lakes program surveys both before and after draw-downs to document improvements in water clarity, abundance of aquatic plants, and overall improvements in the aquatic ecology of each basin. Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service field staff also conduct periodic counts of waterfowl and other wildlife using these basins in both spring and fall, along with hunters, and thus wildlife and human use is also monitored on a more informative opportunistic basis",,,581000,"DU Private & federal NAWCA grants, DU Private & federal NAWCA, MBCF, and Circle of Flight and Federal USFWS Migratory Bird Con. Fund",7768000,99000,,3.33,DU,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 10 request for Ducks Unlimited's Living Lakes program will enhance or restore 1,325 acres of wetlands and adjacent prairie grasslands for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Minnesota DNR on public lands and private lands under permanent easement. DU biologists and engineers will design wetland restorations and water control structures for active management of shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other wildlife, and people, primarily in SW Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region. While DU staff will design restoration and enhancement projects, DU will hire private contractors to conduct restoration and enhancement.","This Phase 10 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration conservation program will enhance or restore at least 1,325 acres of shallow lakes, wetlands, and prairie grasslands, primarily in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. DU biologists work with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and Minnesota DNR field staff to restore and enhance wetlands on public land and under easement and DU engineers design water level control structures to enhance degraded shallow lakes for DNR and other partners. Water control structures are used for temporary water level draw-downs to rejuvenate shallow lake ecology and productivity for wildlife. Restoration work and structures are constructed by private sector firms hired by DU and are managed by FWS/DNR. Adjacent grasslands may be enhanced with tree removal. Shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration are top priority actions in all major conservation plans for Minnesota. Our work addresses the habitat goals identified in North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan, and Minnesota's Duck Recovery Plan which calls for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and restoring 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota's landscape. This work is time-sensitive because complex shallow lake enhancement projects take several years to design and implement, and because wetland restorations are critically needed for breeding waterfowl. Healthy and abundant wetlands are required to sustain breeding and migrating waterfowl. Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of our prairie wetlands and 99% of native prairie grasslands around them. This has had a profound negative impact on breeding ducks and other prairie wetland wildlife here. Our remaining shallow lakes and wetlands are often those that were too deep to drain years ago and now function as the core of Minnesota's remaining waterfowl habitat complexes. Unfortunately, these remaining wetland basins now receive the excessive nutrient-laden water runoff from an intensively drained and interconnected landscape through which invasive fish such as carp have improved access. As a result, many of our remaining wetlands and shallow lakes are turbid and degraded due to drainage they received and high, stabilized water levels in which nutrients collect and invasive fish proliferate. This results in stagnated aquatic wetland ecology and productivity and wetland basins with few aquatic plants and invertebrates for birds to eat. This is especially detrimental to diving ducks and other wetland-dependent species that rely exclusively on aquatic plant and invertebrate foods within wetlands and shallow lakes to survive. These factors have caused a significant decline in Minnesota's once diverse waterfowl population, and as a result, in Minnesota's rich waterfowling traditions. This funding request will support DU staff biologists and engineers who survey, design, and manage construction of shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration projects to improve public water shallow lakes and restore wetlands and grasslands. Funding will also support ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU staff to assess, survey, and design future enhancement and wetland projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations for this program.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lindstrom,"Ducks Unlimited, Inc.","c/o U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Litchfield WMD Office 22274 615th Avenue",Litchfield,MN,55355,3206932849ext-8,jlindstrom@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Washington, Watonwan, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lakes-and-wetlands-enhancement-restoration-initiative-phase-x,,,,
10033396,"Living Shallow Lake Enhancement & Wetland Restoration Initiative - Phase VIII",2023,5155000,"ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(f)","$5,155,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to restore and enhance shallow lakes and wetlands on public lands and wetlands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife management. A list of proposed shallow lake enhancements and wetland restorations must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","DU will enhance shallow lakes and wetlands to make them more productive for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife, which is a statewide concern due to statewide wetland loss and degradation. Wildlife response to wetland project improvements will be monitored, measured, and evaluated by conservation agency partner biologists including Minnesota DNR, USFWS, and Tribal Department of Natural Resource staff biologists. Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands - This program will restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands on federal Waterfowl Production Areas and USFWS Habitat easements, and similar wetlands for MNDNR, each of which will be selected strategically by USFWS and MNDNR to benefit existing wetland complexes and migratory birds for both breeding and migration habitat, and which will be monitored by USFWS and MNDNR. Specifically, the USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET) works with federal Wetland Management District staff and partners such as MNDNR and DU to continually assess and refine habitat restoration and management strategies to optimize wildlife habitat. Game lakes are significant contributors of waterfowl, due to efforts to protect uplands adjacent to game lakes - DU will enhance and restore shallow lakes and wetlands on the Minnesota River NWR and/or Three Rivers Park District that are perpetually protected, managed, monitored, and evaluated annually by highly-trained U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or Park District wildlife biologists. Service and Park District staff will guide the enhancement and restoration work by DU, and will evaluate wetland habitat outcomes annually to guide future management actions. Enhanced shallow lake productivity - Wetland and shallow lakes restored or enhanced via temporary water level draw-downs by DU-engineered and installed water control structures will be assessed by Minnesota DNR shallow lakes program surveys both before and after draw-downs to document improvements in water clarity, abundance of aquatic plants, and overall improvements in the aquatic ecology of each basin. Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service field staff also conduct periodic counts of waterfowl and other wildlife using these basins in both spring and fall, along with hunters, and thus wildlife and human use is also monitored on a more informative opportunistic basis",,,450000,"DU private and federal NAWCA grants, USFWS federal Migratory Bird Fund, USFWS, NAWCA and & Private DU",5075000,80000,,3.05,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 8 request for Ducks Unlimited's Living Lakes program will enhance or restore 1,070 acres of wetlands and adjacent prairie grasslands for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Minnesota DNR on public lands and private lands under permanent USFWS easement. Where required, DU engineers will design water control structures to restore wetland hydrology and allow active management of shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other wildlife, and people, primarily in Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region. While DU staff design restoration and enhancement projects, DU hires private contractors to implement enhancement and restoration activities.","This Phase 8 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing shallow lake enhancement and prairie wetland restoration conservation program will strive to enhance 860 acres of shallow lakes and grasslands, and restore 210 acres of wetlands and grasslands, primarily in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. DU partners with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and Minnesota DNR to design water control structures with fish barriers to enhance degraded shallow lakes and restore drained wetlands on public land and under easement. Water control structures are used to conduct temporary water level draw-downs to rejuvenate shallow lake ecology and productivity for wildlife. Structures are constructed by private sector firms hired by DU and are managed by FWS or DNR. Adjacent grasslands will be restored/enhanced to buffer wetlands. Shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration are top priority actions in all major conservation plans for Minnesota. Our work addresses the habitat goals identified in North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Minnesota's Prairie Conservation Plan, and Minnesota's Duck Recovery Plan which calls for the active management of 1,800 shallow lakes and restoring 64,000 wetlands to Minnesota's landscape. This work is time-sensitive because complex shallow lake enhancement projects take several years to design and implement, and because wetland restorations are critically needed for breeding waterfowl. Healthy and abundant wetlands are required to sustain breeding and migrating waterfowl. Minnesota has lost approximately 90% of our prairie wetlands and 99% of native prairie grasslands around them. This has had a profound negative impact on breeding ducks and other prairie wetland wildlife here. Our remaining shallow lakes and wetlands are often those that were too deep to drain years ago, and now function as the core of Minnesota's remaining waterfowl habitat complexes. Unfortunately, these remaining wetland basins now receive the excessive nutrient-laden water runoff from an intensively drained and interconnected landscape through which invasive fish such as carp have improved access. As a result, many of our remaining wetlands and shallow lakes are turbid and degraded due to drainage they received and high, stabilized water levels in which nutrients collect and invasive fish proliferate. This results in stagnated aquatic wetland ecology and productivity, and wetland basins with few aquatic plants and invertebrates for birds to eat. This is especially detrimental to diving ducks and other wetland-dependent species that rely exclusively on aquatic plant and invertebrate foods within wetlands and shallow lakes to survive. These factors have caused a significant decline in Minnesota's once diverse waterfowl population, and as a result, in Minnesota's rich waterfowling traditions. This funding request will support DU staff biologists and engineers who survey, design, and manage construction of shallow lake enhancement and wetland restoration projects to improve public water shallow lakes and restore wetlands and grasslands, primarily in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota. Funding will also support ongoing shallow lake technical assistance from DU staff to assess, survey, and design future enhancement and wetland projects for implementation under future OHF appropriations for this program.",,2022-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lindstrom,"Ducks Unlimited","c/o USFWS Litchfield WMD 22274 615th Avenue",Litchfield,MN,55355,3206932849,jlindstrom@ducks.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Carver, Cottonwood, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Murray, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Northern Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/living-shallow-lake-enhancement-wetland-restoration-initiative-phase-viii,,,,
10031460,"Local Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Grant Programs",2025,4791000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 09b","$4,791,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to solicit and rank applications and fund competitive matching grants for local parks, trail connections, and natural and scenic areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019. This appropriation is for local nature-based recreation, connections to regional and state natural areas, and recreation facilities and may not be used for athletic facilities, such as sport fields, courts, or playgrounds.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,0.75,"MN DNR","State Government","Provide approximately 15 matching grants for local parks, trail, acquisition of natural areas and trails to connect people safety to desirable community locations and regional or state facilities.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Jenni,Bubke,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155-4039,"(651) 259-5638",jennifer.bubke@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/local-parks-trails-and-natural-areas-grant-programs-2,,,,
2139,"MeCC V - Restore & Enhance Significant Habitat (2.5)",2010,155000,"M.L. 2009, Chp. 143, Sec. 2, Subd. 04f2.5","$3,375,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the fifth appropriation for acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $2,185,000 is for Department of Natural Resources agency programs and $1,190,000 is for agreements as follows: $380,000 with the Trust for Public Land; $90,000 with Friends of the Mississippi River; $155,000 with Great River Greening; $250,000 with Minnesota Land Trust; $225,000 with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; and $90,000 with Friends of the Minnesota Valley for the purposes of planning, restoring, and protecting important natural areas in the metropolitan area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding counties, through grants, contracted services, technical assistance, conservation easements, and fee title acquisition. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards as determined by the commissioner of natural resources. Expenditures are limited to the identified project corridor areas as defined in the work program. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program. All funding for conservation easements must include a long-term stewardship plan and funding for monitoring and enforcing the agreement. To the maximum extent practical, consistent with contractual easement or fee acquisition obligations, the recipients shall utilize staff resources to identify future projects and shall maximize the implementation of biodiverse, quality restoration projects in the project proposal into the first half of the 2010 fiscal year.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,300000,,,,,,"Great River Greening","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Project Outcome and Results Great River Greening, along with our volunteers and partners, restored and enhanced a total of 204 acres of habitat with Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund dollars, exceeding our goal of 155 acres, and an additional 140 acres with over $153,000 in leveraged non-state funds. Habitats included prairie, savanna, and forest, including nine native plant communities with biodiversity of statewide significance (as rated by Minnesota County Biological Survey), and habitat for 18 documented rare plant species (1 invertebrate, 2 bird, and 15 plant species). Restorations/enhancements also occurred at sites in priority watersheds rich with rare terrestrial and aquatic rare species, including the St. Croix, Mississippi, and Minnesota; as well as Valley Creek and Eagle Creek trout stream watersheds. A total of 15 different sites were restored/enhanced. Enhancement of native plant communities with existing significant biodiversity occurred at: Arcola Mills Historic Foundation (Stillwater); St Croix Valley Early Detection/Rapid Response Garlic Mustard (Taylors Falls and Marine locations); Spring Lake Regional Park (Scott Co); Spring Lake Park Reserve (Dakota Co); Hidden Valley Park (Savage); Snail Lake Regional Park (Shoreview); St. Croix Savanna SNA (Bayport); Lost Valley Prairie SNA (Denmark Township); and Pond Dakota Mission (Bloomington).   Restoration/enhancement of habitats in important and strategic locations were: prairie/savanna establishment at Pilot Knob Hill (Mendota Heights), located in an area identified by DNR as a top-tier township for habitat for Species of Greatest Conservation Need; a large prairie/savanna restoration/enhancement at Belwin Conservancy's Lake Edith site (Afton), in the Valley Creek watershed; early detection and control of garlic mustard at a Valley Creek watershed location; prairie restoration/enhancement at Central Corridor (Woodbury and Cottage Grove), historically connected to Lost Valley Prairie SNA; savanna maintenance at Eagle Creek AMA (Savage), a metro trout stream;/li>; floodplain forest enhancement at Heritage Village Park (Inver Grove Heights) to expand on existing significant floodplain forest on the banks of the Mississippi River; and a prairie reconstruction burn at OH Anderson Elementary (Mahtomedi), habitat that is also used extensively in classroom studies. Volunteers contributed over 2500 hours to these habitat projects. Project Results Use and Dissemination In January, 2010, Great River Greening included a feature article on the ENRTF, LCCMR, and the Metro Conservation Corridors program and projects in our e-postcard, circulation 3200. A write up on the Metro Conservation Corridors program with features of select projects was included in our Spring 2011 Newsletter, and an article featuring the Pond Dakota Mission restoration was featured in our Fall 2010 newsletter. These are available for continued viewing at http://www.greatrivergreening.org/news.asp. In addition, project descriptions are included in our volunteer recruitment efforts to all the volunteers in our database. In addition, Greening is in active partnership with landowners and other land managers, resulting in a dynamic and timely exchange of information and results. ",,"Final Report ",2009-07-01,2011-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Wiley,Buck,"Great River Greening","35 W Water St, Ste 201","St. Paul",MN,55107,651-665-9500,wbuck@greatrivergreening.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Washington, Wright",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mecc-v-restore-enhance-significant-habitat-25,,,,
10031418,"Mentoring Next Generation of Conservation Professionals - Phase 2",2025,793000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 05g","$793,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc. to provide paid internships and apprenticeships for diverse young people to learn about careers in the conservation field from United States Fish and Wildlife Service professionals while working at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,16,"Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The ENRTF grant will introduce 12 young people to conservation careers through full-time, paid internships and apprenticeships on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (16 FTEs over 2 years).",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-08-31,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Deborah,Loon,"Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust Inc","3815 East American Boulevard",Bloomington,MN,55425,"(612) 801-1935",dloon@mnvalleytrust.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mentoring-next-generation-conservation-professionals-phase-2,,,,
10031438,"Minimizing Minnesota's Landfill Problem by Expanding Waste Diversion",2025,2318000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 07a","$2,318,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Better Futures Minnesota to establish a statewide network for sourcing reclaimed building materials; create a tool for cities, counties, and businesses to report environmental impacts of waste diversion; and divert waste from landfills through collections, deconstructing buildings, and converting waste into finished goods. Net income generated by Better Futures Minnesota as part of this appropriation may be reinvested in the project if a plan for reinvestment is approved in the work plan.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,37.12,"Better Futures Minnesota","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Expanding waste diversion practices across the state this project will: create 16 jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide data to measure the social, economic, and environmental benefits of waste diversion.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Jason,Allen,"Better Futures Minnesota","2620 Minnehaha Ave S",Minneapolis,MN,55406,"(612) 428-7607",jallen@betterfutures.net,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minimizing-minnesotas-landfill-problem-expanding-waste-diversion,,,,
10031466,"Minnesota State Trails Development",2025,5036000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 09h","$5,036,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to expand recreational opportunities on Minnesota state trails by rehabilitating and enhancing existing state trails and replacing or repairing existing state trail bridges. The high-priority trail bridges to be rehabilitated or replaced under this appropriation include but are not limited to those on the Arrowhead, Great River Ridge, C.J. Ramstad-Northshore, Harmony-Preston Valley, Shooting Star, and Minnesota Valley State Trails and the Pengilly-Alborn Railroad Trail. High-priority trail segments to develop and enhance include but are not limited to the Brown's Creek, Gitchi Gami, Minnesota Valley, Root River, and Cuyuna Lakes State Trails. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,7.5,"MN DNR","State Government","This project proposes to expand recreational opportunities on Minnesota State Trails through the rehabilitation and enhancement of existing state trails and replacement or repair of existing state trail bridges.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2028-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Kent,Skaar,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5636",kent.skaar@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-state-trails-development-4,,,,
3615,"Minnesota Elevation Mapping Project (LiDAR)",2014,,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)","$1350000 the first year and $1350000 the second year are to acquire and distribute high-resolution digital elevation data using light detection and ranging to aid with impaired waters modeling and TMDL implementation under Minnesota Statutes chapter 114D. The money shall be used to collect data for areas of the state that have not acquired such data prior to January 1 2007 or to complete acquisition and distribution of the data for those areas of the state that have not previously received state funds for acquiring and distributing the data. The distribution of data acquired under this paragraph must be conducted under the auspices of the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office which shall receive up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation in this paragraph to support coordination of data acquisition and distribution. Mapping and data set distribution under this paragraph must be completed within three years of funds availability. The commissioner shall utilize department staff whenever possible. The commissioner may contract for services only if the services cannot otherwise be provided by the department.","In FY14 the DNR will publish and promote MnTOPO a web-based application that will provide access to LiDAR data to a wide audience including the general public and water management professionals. MnTOPO has data viewing and printing capabilities as well as data access and download. Data access and download volumes will be readily available as measures of the value of this information. The DNR will develop and publish an Elevation Data Governance Plan and coordinate elevation data standards maintenance and development of products based on LiDAR data. This will ensure long term management of elevation data and the MnTOPO portal. It will also ensure that the needs of the water management officials who rely on this data to formulate their management strategies are met.","MnTOPO a web site built to make the LiDAR data collected as part of this project easily accessible was completed on time and under budget. Upon its release MnTOPO proved to be an instant success with users viewing and downloading elevation data for a wide variety of water resource management purposes. The two foot contours have been the most popular product of the MnTOPO web application. The total volume of data users downloaded using MnTOPO in its first six months of operation is more than that of the total collection. Due to changes in staff’s managerial responsibilities associated with Minnesota’s LiDAR data an Elevation Data Governance Plan was not completed. The DNR did coordinate the development of elevation data standards with the MN LiDAR Research and Education Committee as these two interests work collaboratively to guide long-term management of Minnesota’s elevation data and the MnTOPO application. ",,,,71313,,,0.0,,,"This project will create a high accuracy elevation dataset - critical for effectively planning and implementing water quality projects - for the state of Minnesota using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and geospatial mapping technologies. Although some areas of the state have been mapped previously, many counties remain unmapped or have insufficient or inadequate data. This multi-year project, to be completed in 2012, is a collaborative effort of Minnesota's Digital Elevation Committee and partners with county surveyors to ensure accuracy with ground-truthing. The first year (FY 2010) focuses on Southwest Minnesota. The arrowhead, Twin Cities metro, and central lakes regions will be completed in 2011 and 2012.","Accurate topographic information will greatly enhance the ability of decision makers and resource managers to understand how water interacts with the landscape and will provide the foundation for developing innovative, effective, and defendable resource management strategies. Completion of a statewide elevation dataset will reduce cost and increase effectiveness of clean water projects. The data have myriad additional uses; for example, collecting elevation data over the life of a mining project will allow the state to more accurately document mineral extraction, potentially increasing royalty income from mineral leases.",,2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Loesch,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul, MN",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5475",tim.loesch@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Digitization/Online Information Access, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Analysis/Interpretation, Modeling, Research, Demonstration/Pilot Project, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Carlton, Carver, Cook, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Lake, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-elevation-mapping-project-lidar-0,,,,
3615,"Minnesota Elevation Mapping Project (LiDAR)",2013,1350000,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)","$1350000 the first year and $1350000 the second year are to acquire and distribute high-resolution digital elevation data using light detection and ranging to aid with impaired waters modeling and TMDL implementation under Minnesota Statutes chapter 114D. The money shall be used to collect data for areas of the state that have not acquired such data prior to January 1 2007 or to complete acquisition and distribution of the data for those areas of the state that have not previously received state funds for acquiring and distributing the data. The distribution of data acquired under this paragraph must be conducted under the auspices of the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office which shall receive up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation in this paragraph to support coordination of data acquisition and distribution. Mapping and data set distribution under this paragraph must be completed within three years of funds availability. The commissioner shall utilize department staff whenever possible. The commissioner may contract for services only if the services cannot otherwise be provided by the department.","In FY13 DNR will complete publishing and distribution of 21 326 square miles of data from the Arrowhead and Metro project areas plus Blue Earth County. Data for the Red River basin (19 counties covering 22 700 square miles) will be reformatted published and distributed. DNR will acquire publish and distribute new LiDAR data over 3 078 square miles in St. Louis and Carlton Counties to update data following a major flood event that resulted in landscape changes making current data invalid. DNR will also develop a web-based map application that presents elevation data that can be viewed on standard computers or mobile devices (without the need for Geographic Information System software).","In FY13 DNR achieved complete coverage of high accuracy elevation for the state of Minnesota. DNR completed the acquisition quality assurance publication and distribution of LiDAR data and associated products for the Arrowhead region Metro region Central Lakes region Blue Earth County and the Duluth area update. Data for counties in the Red River Basin were reformatted to meet state standards incorporated into data holdings. In total more than 52 000 square miles of data was made published and made available to be used for a variety of clean water projects. Significant progress was made on the design and application development for the LiDAR Web Viewer during FY13; however the application was deemed by the project team to be not ready for general release.",,,,666608,,,0.0,,,"This project will create a high accuracy elevation dataset - critical for effectively planning and implementing water quality projects - for the state of Minnesota using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and geospatial mapping technologies. Although some areas of the state have been mapped previously, many counties remain unmapped or have insufficient or inadequate data. This multi-year project, to be completed in 2012, is a collaborative effort of Minnesota's Digital Elevation Committee and partners with county surveyors to ensure accuracy with ground-truthing. The first year (FY 2010) focuses on Southwest Minnesota. The arrowhead, Twin Cities metro, and central lakes regions will be completed in 2011 and 2012.","Accurate topographic information will greatly enhance the ability of decision makers and resource managers to understand how water interacts with the landscape and will provide the foundation for developing innovative, effective, and defendable resource management strategies. Completion of a statewide elevation dataset will reduce cost and increase effectiveness of clean water projects. The data have myriad additional uses; for example, collecting elevation data over the life of a mining project will allow the state to more accurately document mineral extraction, potentially increasing royalty income from mineral leases.",,2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Loesch,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul, MN",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5475",tim.loesch@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Digitization/Online Information Access, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Analysis/Interpretation, Modeling, Research, Demonstration/Pilot Project, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Carlton, Carver, Cook, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Lake, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-elevation-mapping-project-lidar-0,,,,
3615,"Minnesota Elevation Mapping Project (LiDAR)",2012,1350000,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)","$1350000 the first year and $1350000 the second year are to acquire and distribute high-resolution digital elevation data using light detection and ranging to aid with impaired waters modeling and TMDL implementation under Minnesota Statutes chapter 114D. The money shall be used to collect data for areas of the state that have not acquired such data prior to January 1 2007 or to complete acquisition and distribution of the data for those areas of the state that have not previously received state funds for acquiring and distributing the data. The distribution of data acquired under this paragraph must be conducted under the auspices of the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office which shall receive up to 2.5 percent of the appropriation in this paragraph to support coordination of data acquisition and distribution. Mapping and data set distribution under this paragraph must be completed within three years of funds availability. The commissioner shall utilize department staff whenever possible. The commissioner may contract for services only if the services cannot otherwise be provided by the department.","In FY12 DNR will acquire LiDAR data over 15 483 square miles covering all or parts of 14 counties in the Central Lakes and Metro project areas.","In FY12 DNR completed publishing and distribution of LiDAR for the Counties that make up the Minnesota River Basin. In addition DNR also published and distributed LiDAR data over 19 411 square miles covering all or parts of 18 counties in the Arrowhead and Metro project areas. DNR acquired LiDAR data over 16 333 square miles covering all or parts of Aitkin Blue Earth Carver Cass Dakota Goodhue Hennepin Hubbard Itasca Koochiching Ramsey Scott Todd Washington and Wadena Counties.",,,,1625273,,,0.0,,,"This project will create a high accuracy elevation dataset - critical for effectively planning and implementing water quality projects - for the state of Minnesota using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and geospatial mapping technologies. Although some areas of the state have been mapped previously, many counties remain unmapped or have insufficient or inadequate data. This multi-year project, to be completed in 2012, is a collaborative effort of Minnesota's Digital Elevation Committee and partners with county surveyors to ensure accuracy with ground-truthing. The first year (FY 2010) focuses on Southwest Minnesota. The arrowhead, Twin Cities metro, and central lakes regions will be completed in 2011 and 2012.","Accurate topographic information will greatly enhance the ability of decision makers and resource managers to understand how water interacts with the landscape and will provide the foundation for developing innovative, effective, and defendable resource management strategies. Completion of a statewide elevation dataset will reduce cost and increase effectiveness of clean water projects. The data have myriad additional uses; for example, collecting elevation data over the life of a mining project will allow the state to more accurately document mineral extraction, potentially increasing royalty income from mineral leases.",,2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Loesch,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul, MN",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5475",tim.loesch@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Digitization/Online Information Access, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Analysis/Interpretation, Modeling, Research, Demonstration/Pilot Project, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Carlton, Carver, Cook, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Lake, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-elevation-mapping-project-lidar-0,,,,
3615,"Minnesota Elevation Mapping Project (LiDAR)",2011,2800000,"M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 5(d)","$2800000 the first year and $2800000 the second year are to acquire and distribute high-resolution digital elevation data using light detection and ranging to aid with impaired waters modeling and total maximum daily load implementation under Minnesota Statutes chapter 114D. The data will be collected for areas of the state that have not acquired such data prior to January 1 2007 or to complete acquisition and distribution of the data for those areas of the state that have not previously received state funds for acquiring and distributing the data. The distribution of data acquired under this paragraph must be conducted under the auspices of the Land Management Information Center or its successor which shall receive 2.5 percent of the appropriation in this paragraph to support coordination of data acquisition and distribution. Mapping and data set distribution under this paragraph must be completed within three years of funds availability. The commissioner shall utilize department staff whenever possible. The commissioner may contract for services only if they cannot otherwise be provided by the department. If the commissioner contracts for services with this appropriation and any of the work done under the contract will be done outside of the United States the commissioner must report to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate finance committees on the proposed contract at least 30 days before entering into the contract. The report must include an analysis of why the contract with the selected contractor provides the state with ""best value"" as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 16C.02; any alternatives to the selected contractor that were considered; what data will be provided to the contractor including the data that will be transmitted outside of the United States; what security measures will be taken to ensure that the data is treated in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act; (continued)","In FY11 DNR will publish and make available LiDAR data for the Minnesota River basin. We will develop work orders for the Arrowhead and Metro project areas rank and make awards and acquire LiDAR data for these regions in the Spring of 2011 (12520 square miles in 19 counties).","In Fiscal Year 2011 DNR published LiDAR data for the Minnesota River Basin. It is publicly available on-line at the DNR. LiDAR acquisitions were contracted over an area covering 18 220 square miles in 15 counties: Anoka Benton Carlton Carver Cook Hennepin Isanti Kanabec Lake Meeker Mille Lacs Scott Sherburne St. Louis and Washington. This is in addition to the 17 258 square miles in 25 counties that were collected in Fiscal Year 2010.",,,,3028474,,,0.0,,,"This project will create a high accuracy elevation dataset - critical for effectively planning and implementing water quality projects - for the state of Minnesota using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and geospatial mapping technologies. Although some areas of the state have been mapped previously, many counties remain unmapped or have insufficient or inadequate data. This multi-year project, to be completed in 2012, is a collaborative effort of Minnesota's Digital Elevation Committee and partners with county surveyors to ensure accuracy with ground-truthing. The first year (FY 2010) focuses on Southwest Minnesota. The arrowhead, Twin Cities metro, and central lakes regions will be completed in 2011 and 2012.","Accurate topographic information will greatly enhance the ability of decision makers and resource managers to understand how water interacts with the landscape and will provide the foundation for developing innovative, effective, and defendable resource management strategies. Completion of a statewide elevation dataset will reduce cost and increase effectiveness of clean water projects. The data have myriad additional uses; for example, collecting elevation data over the life of a mining project will allow the state to more accurately document mineral extraction, potentially increasing royalty income from mineral leases.",,2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Loesch,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul, MN",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5475",tim.loesch@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Digitization/Online Information Access, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Analysis/Interpretation, Modeling, Research, Demonstration/Pilot Project, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Carlton, Carver, Cook, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Lake, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-elevation-mapping-project-lidar-0,,,,
3615,"Minnesota Elevation Mapping Project (LiDAR)",2010,2800000,"M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 5(d)","$2800000 the first year and $2800000 the second year are to acquire and distribute high-resolution digital elevation data using light detection and ranging to aid with impaired waters modeling and total maximum daily load implementation under Minnesota Statutes chapter 114D. The data will be collected for areas of the state that have not acquired such data prior to January 1 2007 or to complete acquisition and distribution of the data for those areas of the state that have not previously received state funds for acquiring and distributing the data. The distribution of data acquired under this paragraph must be conducted under the auspices of the Land Management Information Center or its successor which shall receive 2.5 percent of the appropriation in this paragraph to support coordination of data acquisition and distribution. Mapping and data set distribution under this paragraph must be completed within three years of funds availability. The commissioner shall utilize department staff whenever possible. The commissioner may contract for services only if they cannot otherwise be provided by the department. If the commissioner contracts for services with this appropriation and any of the work done under the contract will be done outside of the United States the commissioner must report to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate finance committees on the proposed contract at least 30 days before entering into the contract. The report must include an analysis of why the contract with the selected contractor provides the state with ""best value"" as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 16C.02; any alternatives to the selected contractor that were considered; what data will be provided to the contractor including the data that will be transmitted outside of the United States; what security measures will be taken to ensure that the data is treated in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act; (continued)","In FY10 DNR will collect digital elevation LiDAR data will be collected and make it available to the public for 17 258 square miles in 25 counties in the Minnesota River Basin and southwestern Minnesota. ","In FY 10 DNR developed a master contracting process to collect Digital Elevation information statewide. LiDAR data was collected for 17258 square miles in 25 counties in the Minnesota River Basin and southwestern Minnesota. The data are currently being processed for public use.",,,,670895,,,0.0,,,"This project will create a high accuracy elevation dataset - critical for effectively planning and implementing water quality projects - for the state of Minnesota using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and geospatial mapping technologies. Although some areas of the state have been mapped previously, many counties remain unmapped or have insufficient or inadequate data. This multi-year project, to be completed in 2012, is a collaborative effort of Minnesota's Digital Elevation Committee and partners with county surveyors to ensure accuracy with ground-truthing. The first year (FY 2010) focuses on Southwest Minnesota. The arrowhead, Twin Cities metro, and central lakes regions will be completed in 2011 and 2012.","Accurate topographic information will greatly enhance the ability of decision makers and resource managers to understand how water interacts with the landscape and will provide the foundation for developing innovative, effective, and defendable resource management strategies. Completion of a statewide elevation dataset will reduce cost and increase effectiveness of clean water projects. The data have myriad additional uses; for example, collecting elevation data over the life of a mining project will allow the state to more accurately document mineral extraction, potentially increasing royalty income from mineral leases.",,2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Clean Water Fund",Completed,,,Tim,Loesch,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul, MN",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5475",tim.loesch@state.mn.us,"Assessment/Evaluation, Digitization/Online Information Access, Inventory, Mapping, Planning, Analysis/Interpretation, Modeling, Research, Demonstration/Pilot Project, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Carlton, Carver, Cook, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Lake, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Washington",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-elevation-mapping-project-lidar-0,,,,
791,"Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project, Phase 1",2011,3653000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(f)","$3,653,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy for a pilot project to acquire interests in land and restore and enhance prairie and prairie/wetland habitat in the prairie regions of western and southwestern Minnesota. The Nature Conservancy may acquire land in fee or through permanent conservation easements. A list of proposed fee title and permanent conservation easements, and a list of proposed restorations and enhancements, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b). The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each acquisition of interest in land, restoration project, and enhancement project. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan.",,"Protect in Fee w/o PILT: 341 acres of wetlands, 1342 acres of prairies; Restore 168 acres of prairies; Enhance 20,282 acres of prairies. ",,,,3653000,,,,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program proposes a 15-year goal to provide protection to the remaining 90,000 acres of native prairie/savanna, a 20-year goal to restore and protect an additional 500,000 acres of diverse grasslands/savannas, and a 10-year goal to increase management capacity to annually manage 300,000 acres of grassland and savannas per year. This proposal takes the first steps to achieve these goals by initiating a comprehensive, coordinated and collaborative prairie conservation initiative. Annual investments by the LSOHC will be required to realize these ambitious outcomes. When completed, the outcomes of this proposal will include: protection of 1000 acres of native prairie and/or savanna; restoration of 250 acres of diverse, local ecotype grassland; enhancement of 8000 acres of grassland/savanna by prescribed fire, invasive species removal, and/or conservation grazing; and development of a new conservation model in 2 parts of the state that will serve as a platform for accelerated conservation across Minnesota. ","The conservation problems facing Minnesota's prairies, prairie potholes, grasslands and savannas are many, and include: a. Continued losses of native and restored grasslands due to economic pressures. b. Degradation of existing public grasslands and wetlands due to encroachment by woody vegetation and other invasive species that reduces their values to wildlife and people. c. Inadequate public access for hunting and fishing in agricultural parts of the state. d. Potential loss of local taxes and local incomes when land is acquired by public entities. e. Programmatic and staff limitations that reduce efficiencies in implementing diverse conservation programs across multiple partners. What is the problem being addressed? The creation of the Outdoor Heritage Fund finally offers the resources needed to provide adequate conservation in Minnesota's prairie, prairie pothole and savanna landscapes. With the Council's support and the efforts of multiple partners, large and productive grassland landscapes can become a reality in Minnesota. How will this directly relate to restoring, protecting or enhancing habitat?When completed, the outcomes of this proposal will include: protection of 1000 acres of native prairie and/or savanna; restoration of 250 acres of diverse, local ecotype grassland; and enhancement of 8000 acres of grassland/savanna by prescribed fire, invasive species removal, and/or conservation grazing. The Conservancy will own the fee lands, coordinate with partners and supervise enhancement on public and Conservancy lands, and implement restoration on degraded lands acquired with OHF funds. Why will this strategy work? There are no new tactics in this proposal; all of these practices are being used by one or more organizations already at work in Minnesota. What is new here is the effort to closely coordinate activities, to bring practices that work in the private sector to the public sector, and to greatly accelerate the use of conservation practices. The conservation community has demonstrated that these protection, restoration and enhancement activities work, but to truly reach the level of conservation that is needed for a comprehensive prairie recovery project, partners must work with a plan, with an open mind for innovation, and with appropriate new tools. We believe this project sets the table for launching the required effort. Finally, by supporting local opportunities to develop grass-based businesses (grazing, biofuels, etc.) we believe there will be reduced incentives for conversion of grasslands on unprotected private lands (i.e., grasslands will be perceived as having economic value). Described the nature and extent of any partnerships in this project, stakeholder and public participation processes associated with the project and any anticipated support or opposition to the project?A ""Prairie Recovery Project Partnership"" will be formed to include representative of prairie conservation organizations, including: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Pheasants Forever (PF), MN Prairie Chicken Society (MPCS) and The Nature Conservancy. This group will identify 2 pilot focus areas and establish other guidelines for project implementation. Local workgroups will then be established to provide on-the-ground planning and coordination of conservation activities. Additional groups that will be contacted for input or representation will include: Ducks Unlimited, MN Waterfowl Association, MN Deer Hunters Association, Land Stewardship Project, MN Cattleman's Association, local livestock groups, MN Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and MN Farmer's Union. In addition to the above the Conservancy proposes the following: a. At least semi-annually, at meetings of the Prairie Recovery Project Partnership, the status of funding and leverage will be discussed in detail among all project partners. b. At the beginning of the project, a marketing plan will be developed that will identify key audiences (e.g., landowners, local units of government, elected officials) and needed information. This will include elements like project fact sheets, media outreach and annual reports. The Conservancy will provide the technical and financial resources needed for this effort. c. Members of the Partnership will be requested to provide informational materials on their websites and in their organizational publications. For land acquisitions, indicate local government support and approval. No specific tracts have yet been identified, so there has been no contact to date with local governments. ","Final Report ",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway ",Minneapolis,None,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Meeker, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project,,,,
9797,"Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project – Phase 3",2013,4610000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(b)","$4,610,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year.",,"This phase resulted in a total of 1,425 acres of wetlands and prairies protected in fee, 22,298 acres of wetlands and prairies enhanced, and 110 acres of wetlands and prairies restored.",,851300,"The Nature Conservancy, private land donation",4607900,96700,,10.1,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The goals for this project were to: protect 1,200 acres native prairie/wetland/savanna; restore 250 acres prairie/wetland; enhance 6,000 acres grassland/savanna with fire, invasive species removal, and grazing; and continue a new prairie conservation model. This phase resulted in a total of 1,425 acres protected, 22,298 acres enhanced, and 110 acres restored. When combined with phases 1 and 2 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 4,070 acres, enhanced 58,134 acres and restored 314 acres using OHF funds. We will continue to implement subsequent phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan.",,"1. Scope of work: With the requested funding, and with other funds leveraged by this money and brought by other partners, the following actions and outcomes were acheived.“Phase 3” built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phase 1 and 2 by continuing and expanding enhancement work in 4 focal areas and protection in 5 areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments.1,425 acres of existing and restorable grassland, prairie pothole complex, and savanna was permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan 2010. Lands will be held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to the grant with the MN DNR. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), once again primarily through interactions through Local Technical Teams.A separate and discrete internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs.  Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, native seed harvest, and/or cropping) are held in this account and used to pay for property taxes and ongoing management costs.110 acres of cropland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Preference was given to local producers and contractors for provision of seed and establishment of prairies to promote creation of local conservation-oriented businesses.22,298 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (“protected conservation lands”) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (61 projects totalling 15,016 acres), removal of woody vegetation (60 projects for 1,678 acres), and control of exotic species (83 projects - 5,514 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC.On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and FWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation grazing/haying practices; supervised management of lands acquired above; planned and conducted prescribed burns; and other activities related to prairie conservation in the focus areas. Contracts were let to provide a high level of enhancement activities to new and existing protected conservation lands, greatly expanding current capacity. These activities greatly improved the habitat value of public lands that were not receiving adequate management treatment, while simultaneously providing jobs for CCM and local businesses. Activities included removal of undesirable woody vegetation, identification and treatment of invasive species infestations, removal of abandoned fences and/or other structures, and related restoration/enhancement activities.To ensure goals and outcomes are consistently achieved across all 4 project areas, the project coordinator oversaw implementation of the above activities and provided administrative support for budget monitoring and reporting. Significant marketing and media outreach was conducted by the Conservancy to highlight the goals and accomplishments of the project to local and statewide constituents, as well as elected officials. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/minnesota/policy/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project.xmlTemporary seasonal crews were employed by the Conservancy to provide additional capacity for public land management during critical periods like spring burn season. These crews helped create flexibility for enhancement projects and maximized the ability of specialized skilled personnel like burn bosses to increase the number of acres annually enhanced.2. How priorities were set: Prioritization and prioritization criteria vary with the conservation tactic being employed (i.e., protection, restoration, enhancement). Focus areas were selected where there was overlap with MN County Biological Survey prairie “focus areas” and TNC priority areas. Each of the 4 project locations directly correlate to core areas identified in the 2010 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Because this project is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, tactical priorities and criteria were established at both the state and local level by respective coordinating groups. criteria for each of these tactics include:a. Protection: location/proximity to other habitats, location/proximity to other protected lands, presence of rare/endangered species, imminence of conversion, ability to support grazing, size, cost, and likelihood for leveraged funding. A more robust listing of selection criteria can be provided upon request.b. Restoration: feasibility/likelihood of success, location, cost, availability of seed, and availability of restoration technical assistance, proximity to other habitats, and their ability to buffer or increase the conservation value of other protected lands.c. Enhancement: urgency/time since last enhancement, feasibility of success, accessibility, availability of enhancement technical assistance, cost, proximity to other habitats and partnership benefits.3. Urgency and opportunity of this proposal: Only about 1% of Minnesota’s original native prairie still remains (about 235,000 acres of an original 1.8 million), and the remnants are still being destroyed and degraded. Less than half of those 235,000 acres are currently protected from conversion, and management capacity is unable to address needs on protected lands. Additionally, more than 90% of the original prairie pothole wetlands in the western part of the state have also been lost. These losses threaten the viability of Minnesota’s prairie/wetland wildlife and recreational opportunities that depend upon them. Further, huge strides that have been made in supplementing habitat with the Conservation Reserve Program are in imminent danger of being lost as contracts expire. Conservationists have a narrow window of opportunity to protect remaining native grasslands, wetlands and other habitats, restore and protect supplemental grasslands and wetlands, and accelerate enhancement efforts to ensure these habitats are providing optimal value to animals and people. This proposal accelerated an initiative begun in 2010.4. Stakeholder involvement and/or opposition: This Phase continues an initiative begun with OHF funding in 2010. We have worked very closely with conservation interests in developing and maintaining this initiative and will continue close collaboration among partners. Via past and ongoing projects, we are also coordinating with other stakeholders (e.g., cattlemen’s associations, Land Stewardship Project, county boards), and will continue to seek opportunities to expand that coordination. Points of opposition that have risen to date include: perceived loss of tax revenues, philosophical opposition to public land ownership, and lack of understanding of processes (i.e. prescribed fire) necessary for long-term prairie system health. To address these concerns we have been actively engaged with county boards and other local units of government, local agricultural producers and groups, and local communities. We anticipate continuing to build these relationships in each of the four project areas.PlanningThis project implements strategies identified in at least 6 plans, as identified below.1. The 2010 MN Prairie Conservation Plan (Plan) identifies three distinct strategies and opportunities for targeting protection, restoration, and enhancement of Minnesota’s prairie and grassland systems. The plan recommends work in “Core Areas” defined as large landscapes that retain some features of functioning prairie systems. Using MN County Biological Survey data and USFWS Habitat Assessment, Populations and Evaluation Team (HAPET)2. MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan. The strategic framework of this plan has 5 elements in its “Habitat” section: integrated planning, critical land protection, land and water restoration and protection, (identification of) sustainable practices, and (provision of) economic incentives for sustainable practices. Further, while the plan does not go into great detail with respect to prairie conservation, it clearly states that “protection of priority land habitats” is a vital practice, and prairies clearly fall here.  The Plan identifies 36 distinct prairie core areas across the western third of the state. Collectively these core landscapes contain 71% of the state’s remaining native prairie. All 4 of the project focus areas directly correlate with one or more of these core areas.3. Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild and Rare. The primary objective identified in the MN DNR’s plan is to “stabilize and increase populations of “species in greatest conservation need (SGCN)”. In the prairie regions of Minnesota, strategies to achieve this goal include:a. Support incentives that avoid conversion of grasslands into row crops where SGCN occur.b. Use mowing, cutting woody vegetation, prescribed fire, or careful use of herbicides to prevent the invasion of grasslands by trees and shrubs.c. Lengthen the cutting rotations for hay; avoid early-season mowing.d. Use light to moderate, rotational grazing programs to benefit SGCNe. Prevent fragmentation of grassland habitat.f. Avoid soil compaction in areas occupied by mammal SGCN.g. Increase native plant species components.h. Control spread of invasive species to adjacent native-dominated sites.This project proposes to address all but item “f” above.4. The Nature Conservancy’s Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregional Plan (1998). This plan identifies key conservation targets, geographic emphasis areas, threats to native plant and animal communities, and key strategies to mitigate these threats. The proposal is a solid step in the implementation of this plan. Also, as a step-down from the NTP Ecoregion Plan, the Chapter has completed local level planning (Conservation Action Planning) for smaller geographic units that correspond with the focus areas. Goals within these focus areas are very explicit in identifying conservation targets and actions and are consistent with the activities contained in this proposal.5. DNR’s Pheasant Plan. This proposal is in full support of the Pheasant Plan goal to add 1.5 million acres of undisturbed grassland to the state by 2025.6. DNR’s Waterfowl Plan. This proposal is in full support of the state Long-range Duck Recovery Plan to add 2 million acres of habitat to the state by 2025. It also utilizes establishment of complexes, as per the plan, to achieve multiple conservation synergies and benefits.This plan helps fulfill multiple priorities specified by the LSOHC “Prairie Section Vision”, including permanent protection of existing prairies and wetlands, restoration of prairie and wetland habitats, building grassland/wetland complexes in blocks sufficient to increase migratory breeding bird success, enhancement of public lands for game species and other species of conservation need, and protection of watersheds of shallow lakes. Specifically, this proposal addresses “Prairie Section Strategies” 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 directly.",2012-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway, Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project-phase-3,,,,
2533,"Minnesota Prairie Recovery Project, Phase 2",2012,4500000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e)","$4,500,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be within the two existing and two additional pilot focus areas contained in the accomplishment plan. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with appropriations from the outdoor heritage fund must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.",,"Protect, Restore and Enhance 2,553 acres of Wetlands and 13,999 acres of Prairies.",,1427700,"ENRTF, NFWF, TNC, RIM, NAWCA",4499500,,,6.3,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Goals for Phase 2 of the MN Prairie Recovery Program were to: protect 1200 acres native prairie/savanna; restore 250 acres grassland; enhance 6000 acres grassland/savanna with fire, invasive species removal, and grazing; and continue a new prairie conservation model. This Phase resulted in a total of 962 acres protected, 15,554 acres enhanced, and 36 acres restored. When combined with Phase 1 of the Program we have cumulatively protected 2,645 acres, enhanced 35,836 acres and restored 204 acres using OHF funds. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan.",,"Design and Scope of Work 1. Problems to be addressed: the conservation problems facing Minnesota’s prairies, prairie potholes, grasslands and savannas are many, and include: a.Continued losses of native and restored grasslands due to economic pressures. b.Degradation of existing public grasslands and wetlands due to encroachment by woody vegetation and other invasive species that reduces their values to wildlife and people. c.Inadequate public access for hunting and fishing in agricultural parts of the state. d.Potential loss of local taxes and local incomes when land is acquired by public entities. e.Long-term state obligations for management of public lands and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes creates a burden for state budget. f.Programmatic and staff limitations that reduce efficiencies in implementing diverse conservation programs across multiple partners. 2. Scope of work: with the appropriated funding, and with other funds leveraged by this money and brought by other partners, the following actions and outcomes were realized. •The “Prairie Recovery Project Partnership” was initiated within the Upper MN River Valley and Aggasiz Beach Ridges and continued in the Glacial Lakes and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands landscapes. Two additional prairie biologists were hired and co-located in partner offices to facilitate and oversee enhancement work on publicly owned grasslands. Dedicated protection staff continued to identify priority parcels for permanent protection, conduct outreach with landowners, and bring real estate transactions to fruition. A project coordinator oversaw implementation of the above activities, and provided administrative support for budget monitoring and reporting. •Original goals for the project included 1,200 acres protected, 250 acres restored and 6,000 acres enhanced. We fell short of our overall protection goals with 962 acres permanently protected. The shortfall was due to the fact that a number of quality projects arose in the central part of the start, specifically Pope and Kandiyohi counties, where land prices are considerably higher than other parts of the prairie region. Protected lands are held by The Nature Conservancy and are open to public hunting and fishing. We greatly exceeded our enhancement goals with 15,435 acres of permanently protected grasslands managed. Management techniques on grassland enhancement projects included prescribed fire, conservation grazing and/or haying, removal of woody vegetation, and control of exotic invasive species. This work was accomplished through contracts with private vendors and through use of seasonal crews employed by the Conservancy. Three of the five protection projects will require future restoration and are in various stages of site preparation. •A separate restricted internal fund is established by The Nature Conservancy to hold income generated from OHF funded acquisitions. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying and/or cropping), earned interest, public contributions and donations are held in this account and are used to pay for property taxes and ongoing management costs. This model was originally devised to test the principle of utilizing extractive practices (ie haying and grazing, native seed production) as a method for offsetting land holding and management costs. Through the project we have found that revenues generated lag behind holding costs, thereby necessitating private contributions on the part of the Conservancy for making property tax payments. And while the model does not function as effectively as we had originally hoped, economic activities do help at least partially offset ownership costs and can serve as valuable tools for implementing needed management. •On-the-ground staff provided by this grant convened and are leading coordination and implementation of local technical teams called for in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan; actively identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and FWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping); educated lessees on appropriate conservation grazing/haying practices; supervised management of lands acquired above; planned and conducted prescribed burns; and secured other funding for conservation practices, including through the MN DNR's Working Lands Initiative. •Contracts were let with Conservation Corps of Minnesota and private vendors to conduct enhancement activities on new and existing protected conservation lands, greatly expanding current capacity. These activities greatly improved the habitat value of public lands that were not receiving adequate management treatment, while simultaneously providing jobs for MCC and local businesses. Activities included removal of undesirable woody vegetation, identification and treatment of invasive species infestations, removal of abandoned fences and/or other structures, and related restoration/enhancement activities. 3. How priorities were set: prioritization and prioritization criteria varied with the conservation tactic being employed (i.e., protection, restoration, enhancement). Focus areas were selected where there was overlap with Core and Corridor landscapes as defined through the MN Prairie Conservation Plan and Conservancy priority areas. Because this is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, tactical priorities and criteria were established at both the state and local level by the respective Local Technical Teams and local agency personnel. Criteria for each of these tactics included: a.Protection: location/proximity to other habitats, location/proximity to other protected lands, presence of rare/endangered species, imminence of conversion, ability to support grazing, size, cost, and likelihood for leveraged funding. b.Restoration: feasibility/likelihood of success, location, cost, availability of seed, and availability of restoration technical assistance. c.Enhancement: urgency/time since last enhancement, feasibility of success, accessibility, availability of enhancement technical assistance, cost, proximity to other habitats and partnership benefits. 4. Urgency and opportunity of this proposal: about 1% of Minnesota’s original native prairie still remains (about 200,000 acres of an original 1.8 million), and the remnants are still being destroyed and degraded today. Less than half is currently protected from conversion, and management capacity is unable to address needs. Additionally, more than 90% of the original prairie pothole wetlands in the western part of the state have also been lost. These losses threaten the viability of Minnesota’s prairie/wetland wildlife and recreational opportunities that depend upon them. Further, huge strides that have been made in supplementing habitat with the Conservation Reserve Program continue to be in imminent danger of being lost as contracts expire. Conservationists have a narrow window of opportunity to protect remaining native grasslands, wetlands and other habitats, restore and protect supplemental grasslands and wetlands, and accelerate enhancement efforts to ensure these habitats are providing optimal value to animals and people. This phase built upon an initiative begun with our Prairie Recovery Project Phase 1, and expanded efforts into 2 new focus areas. 5. Stakeholder involvement and/or opposition: We have worked very closely with conservation interests in developing this initiative and will continue to collaborate with numerous partners. ",2011-07-01,2016-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway, Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55414,612-331-0700,nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project-phase-2,,,,
10035247,"Minnesota Statewide Trout Habitat Enhancement",2025,2308000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(r )","$2,308,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams throughout Minnesota.","Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered. Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas - Improved aquatic habitat indicators measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered. Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - Enhancement of in-stream and riparian corridor habitat creates miles of connected habitat. Outcomes in aquatic life are measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered",,,320000,"USFWS and NRCS and other partners",2215000,93000,,0.5,"MN TU","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Minnesota Trout Unlimited will enhance degraded habitat for fish and diverse wildlife in and along priority trout streams with existing permanent protection. Increasing threats to these relatively scarce resources require accelerating habitat work to reduce the backlog of degraded stream reaches and buffer streams from the increased frequency and intensity of large rainfall and flooding. In the process of restoring habitat, we also increase climate resilience by reconnecting streams to their floodplains and removing barriers to fish movement to colder water. Outcomes include increased fish and wildlife populations, and more opportunities for anglers to access quality ecosystems close to home.","The popularity of trout fishing in Minnesota continues to grow. Anglers applaud our recent habitat projects and want to see many more undertaken. Badly degraded habitat on those trout streams that are most accessible to the public severely limits their productivity and public enjoyment. Minnesota Trout Unlimited (""MNTU"") will directly enhance or restore degraded habitat on priority streams with existing protections under the Aquatic Management Area system or other public ownership. We propose to restore or enhance habitat in and along these public waters (in these counties): 1. Keene Creek (St. Louis); 2. Sucker Brook (Clearwater); 3. Stoney Brook (Cass); 4. Baptism, Manitou & Split Rock Rivers (Lake); 5. Little Rock Creek (Benton); 6. Little Cannon River (Goodhue); 7. Garvin Brook (Winona); 8. Rice Creek (Fillmore); 9. Mill Creek (Fillmore); 10. Numerous streams statewide (numerous counties); and 11. Additional Enhancement of older projects statewide (numerous counties). Individual project descriptions are provided in an attachment. Some of the projects listed above may be reduced in scale or dropped due to the lower funding level recommended. However, if substantial other funding is leveraged projects reduced in scale or dropped may yet be completed. Goals and scope of work: The goals of projects are to increase the carrying capacity and trout population of the stream, increase climate resilience, increase angling access and participation, improve water quality, and provide other benefits to aquatic, terrestrial, and avian wildlife. Each project will accomplish one or more of these objectives: (a) increase adult trout abundance, (b) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream, (c) reconnect the stream to its floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, (d) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, (e) increase habitat for invertebrates and non-game species, (f) improve connectivity of habitat along aquatic and riparian (terrestrial) corridors, (g) improve riparian forest health and function, (h) improve angler access and participation, and (i) protect productive trout waters from invasive species. The scope of work and methods utilized vary by project site conditions and are discussed in the individual project descriptions provided in an attachment. How priorities were set: MNTU focuses habitat enhancement and restoration efforts on those watersheds likely to continue to support viable, fishable populations of naturally reproducing trout fifty years and more from now. Work is done only where degraded habitat is a limiting factor for a quality, sustainable fishery. Priority locations are determined through consultations with MNDNR professionals, MNDNR management plans and surveys, other habitat and conservation planning efforts, MNTU members' knowledge of watersheds, and science-based criteria. All things being equal, we consider the potential to draw new anglers outdoors, increase public awareness, engage landowners in conservation, foster partnerships, and increase public support for OHF projects. Stakeholder support: We continue receiving strong support from anglers, landowners, rural communities, and local civic and sporting organizations. We will continue gathering local input and developing partnerships in the planning and implementation stages. Landowners are consistently enthusiastic partners.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,John,Lenczewski,"Minnesota Trout Unlimited","P O Box 845 ",Chanhassen,MN,55317,6126701629,john.lenczewski@mntu.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Cass, Clearwater, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Lake, Olmsted, St. Louis, Winona","Northern Forest, Southeast Forest, Forest Prairie Transition",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/minnesota-statewide-trout-habitat-enhancement,,,,
2916,"Mississippi River Central Minnesota Conservation Planning",2012,87000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03n","$87,000 the first year and $88,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District to develop and adopt river protection strategies in cooperation with local jurisdictions in the communities of the 26 miles of the Mississippi River between Benton and Stearns Counties. This appropriation must be matched by $175,000 of nonstate cash or qualifying in-kind funds.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,87000,,,2.05,"Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District","Local/Regional Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW From its headwaters to the Twin Cities, the Mississippi River has benefited from coordinated management plans and community efforts to protect its water quality and shoreland habitat - except for a 26-mile stretch in central Minnesota. Starting in St. Cloud and stretching north through Stearns and Benton counties, the stretch is governed by 11 different jurisdictions and the communities have no uniform land use controls to protect this shared resource despite population growth and development pressure threatening the health of the river. Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District is using this appropriation to coordinate an effort between these 11 different local governments to develop and implement specific river protection policies and work with landowners along the river to implement shoreland management practices. Ultimately the effort aims to protect the water quality of the Mississippi River, reduce habitat fragmentation, and prioritize on-the-ground efforts. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS From its Headwaters to the Twin Cities, the Mississippi River has benefited from coordinated management plans and community efforts to protect its water quality and shoreland habitat--except for 26-mile stretch in Central Minnesota. Starting in St. Cloud and stretching north through Stearns and Benton counties, this stretch is governed by 11 different jurisdictions (four cities, five townships and two counties). These communities presently have no uniform land use controls to protect the magnificent river they share. Significant population growth and development pressure and contributing upland pollution could significantly damage the health of the Mississippi River. This project's goal was to restore and protect the natural resources of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, and reduce habitat fragmentation along its banks in central Minnesota. The project coordinated with local units of government to develop and implement specific river protection policies with limited success. Individual landowners were contacted to implement sound shoreland and upland management practices. Also, in conjunction with this project a portion of the Sauk watershed was selected as part of the USDA NRCS Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) to reduce pollution entering the river and reducing downstream impacts. Over 50,000 acres had conservation practices planned or applied. Local units of government were offered workshops and technical assistance to implement policies, such as adopting a Natural Resource Overlay District along the river. The City of Sartell was key receiver of this assistance. Also, a major Take a Day OFF (Outdoor Family Fun) event was held to increase the publics' awareness of this wonderful natural resource in their backyard. Over 1000 people attend this event annually. The public policies and landowner practices implemented has resulted in a healthier Mississippi River today and for decades to come. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District website (www.stearnscountyswcd.net) was used to disseminate information. Other media forms included radio, newspaper, and Facebook were used to increase awareness of activities pertaining to this project.",,"FINAL REPORT",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Dennis,Fuchs,"Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District","Marketplace Mall, 110 2nd Street S, Ste 128","Waite Park",MN,56387,"(320) 251-7800 x3",dennis.fuchs@mn.nacdnet.net,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Planning, Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Stearns",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-river-central-minnesota-conservation-planning,,,,
2916,"Mississippi River Central Minnesota Conservation Planning",2013,88000,"M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03n","$87,000 the first year and $88,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District to develop and adopt river protection strategies in cooperation with local jurisdictions in the communities of the 26 miles of the Mississippi River between Benton and Stearns Counties. This appropriation must be matched by $175,000 of nonstate cash or qualifying in-kind funds.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,88000,,,2.04,"Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District","Local/Regional Government","PROJECT OVERVIEW From its headwaters to the Twin Cities, the Mississippi River has benefited from coordinated management plans and community efforts to protect its water quality and shoreland habitat - except for a 26-mile stretch in central Minnesota. Starting in St. Cloud and stretching north through Stearns and Benton counties, the stretch is governed by 11 different jurisdictions and the communities have no uniform land use controls to protect this shared resource despite population growth and development pressure threatening the health of the river. Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District is using this appropriation to coordinate an effort between these 11 different local governments to develop and implement specific river protection policies and work with landowners along the river to implement shoreland management practices. Ultimately the effort aims to protect the water quality of the Mississippi River, reduce habitat fragmentation, and prioritize on-the-ground efforts. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS From its Headwaters to the Twin Cities, the Mississippi River has benefited from coordinated management plans and community efforts to protect its water quality and shoreland habitat--except for 26-mile stretch in Central Minnesota. Starting in St. Cloud and stretching north through Stearns and Benton counties, this stretch is governed by 11 different jurisdictions (four cities, five townships and two counties). These communities presently have no uniform land use controls to protect the magnificent river they share. Significant population growth and development pressure and contributing upland pollution could significantly damage the health of the Mississippi River. This project's goal was to restore and protect the natural resources of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, and reduce habitat fragmentation along its banks in central Minnesota. The project coordinated with local units of government to develop and implement specific river protection policies with limited success. Individual landowners were contacted to implement sound shoreland and upland management practices. Also, in conjunction with this project a portion of the Sauk watershed was selected as part of the USDA NRCS Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) to reduce pollution entering the river and reducing downstream impacts. Over 50,000 acres had conservation practices planned or applied. Local units of government were offered workshops and technical assistance to implement policies, such as adopting a Natural Resource Overlay District along the river. The City of Sartell was key receiver of this assistance. Also, a major Take a Day OFF (Outdoor Family Fun) event was held to increase the publics' awareness of this wonderful natural resource in their backyard. Over 1000 people attend this event annually. The public policies and landowner practices implemented has resulted in a healthier Mississippi River today and for decades to come. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District website (www.stearnscountyswcd.net) was used to disseminate information. Other media forms included radio, newspaper, and Facebook were used to increase awareness of activities pertaining to this project.",,"FINAL REPORT",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Dennis,Fuchs,"Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District","Marketplace Mall, 110 2nd Street S, Ste 128","Waite Park",MN,56387,"(320) 251-7800 x3",dennis.fuchs@mn.nacdnet.net,"Assessment/Evaluation, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Planning, Technical Assistance","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Stearns",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mississippi-river-central-minnesota-conservation-planning,,,,
10031387,"Modernizing Minnesota's Plant Community Classification and Field Guides",2025,1800000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 03q","$1,800,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to collect additional vegetation and environmental data and update the state's 20-year-old native plant community classification guides to incorporate new data, streamline user application and access to products, and include analysis of climate and vegetation trends. Net income generated as part of this appropriation may be reinvested in the project if a plan for reinvestment is approved in the work plan. This appropriation is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,15.45,"MN DNR","State Government","Update the state's 20-year-old native plant community classification guides to incorporate new data; streamline user application and access to products; and increase connections to evolving climate and vegetation trends.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Bruce,Carlson,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5083",bruce.carlson@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/modernizing-minnesotas-plant-community-classification-and-field-guides,,,,
10031444,"Morrison County Historical Society Streambank Stabilization and Restoration",2025,519000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 08b","$519,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District to stabilize and restore land along the Mississippi River owned by the Morrison County Historical Society within the statutory boundaries of Charles A. Lindbergh State Park to improve water quality and improve aquatic and terrestrial habit. For purposes of this appropriation, subdivision 13, paragraph (e), does not apply. The commissioner of natural resources may make reasonable amounts of this appropriation available on an advance basis to accommodate the Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District's cash-flow needs if a plan for the advances is approved as part of the work plan.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,0.1,"Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District","Local/Regional Government","Construction funding is needed to stabilize a unique shoreline site using a bioengineered design incorporating native plants soil wraps, stream barbs and root wads to create aquatic habitat.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Shannon,Wettstein,"Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District","16776 Heron Road USDA Service Center","Little Falls",MN,56345,"(320) 631-3553",shannon.wettstein@morrisonswcd.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/morrison-county-historical-society-streambank-stabilization-and-restoration,,,,
10004559,"Native Bee Surveys in Minnesota Prairie and Forest Habitats",2017,600000,"M.L. 2016, Chp. 186, Sec. 2, Subd. 03b","$600,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to continue to assess the current status and distribution of native bee pollinators in Minnesota by expanding surveys into the prairie-forest border region and facilitating interagency collaboration and public outreach on pollinators. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,,,,,"MN DNR","State Government",,,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2016/work_plans_may/_2016_03b.pdf,2016-07-01,2019-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Crystal,Boyd,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5699",crystal.boyd@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/native-bee-surveys-minnesota-prairie-and-forest-habitats,,,,
21749,"Native Prairie Stewardship and Prairie Bank Easement Acquisition",2014,750000,"M.L. 2013, Chp. 52, Sec. 2, Subd. 04c","$750,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire native prairie bank easements, prepare baseline property assessments, restore and enhance native prairie sites, and provide technical assistance to landowners. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,750000,,,8.15,"MN DNR","State Government","Prior to European settlement more than 18 million acres of prairie covered Minnesota. Today less than 1% of that native prairie remains, and about half of those remaining acres are in private landownership without any formal protection currently in place. Through this appropriation the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will work with private landowners of high quality native prairie sites to protect remaining native prairie using a variety of tools. Approximately 200 acres are expected to be permanently protected through Native Prairie Bank conservation easements. A variety of restoration and enhancement activities will be implemented on a total of about 690 acres. Additionally, education and technical assistance will be provided to interested landowners to help them improve the management and stewardship of native prairie sites they own.",,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2013/work_plans/2013_04c.pdf,2013-07-01,2016-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Judy,Schulte,"MN DNR","1241 Bridge St E","Redwood Falls",MN,56283,"(507) 822-0344",judy.schulte@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/native-prairie-stewardship-and-prairie-bank-easement-acquisition,,,,
10011405,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase X",2020,2383000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(d)","$2,383,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee or permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance lands in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - This program’s work is primarily focused on the Prairie region. A small portion of the Refuge, however, falls in the Forest-Prairie Transition region. If work is done in this region, the following outcomes will be measured and reported: 1) Total acres protected, 2) Acres of native prairie, 3) Acres of wetland, 4) Feet of stream- and lake-front, 5) Acres within Prairie Plan priorities, 6) # of endangered/threatened/species in greatest conservation need (SGCN) on protected properties. .Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The program’s top priority is protecting native prairie. The majority of lands acquired will be native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams and lakes. The parcel selection criteria also favor building onto existing complexes of prairie/grassland/wetland and protected land. The following outcomes will be measured and reported for acquisition in this region: 1) Total acres protected, 2) Acres of native prairie, 3) Acres of wetland, 4) Feet of stream- and lake-front, 5) Acres within Prairie Plan priorities, 6) # of endangered/threatened/SGCN on protected properties..",,,296400,"USFWS NAWCA, TNC, USFWS",2326600,56400,,0.80,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will work together to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western and central Minnesota by purchasing approximately 705 acres of fee title properties and/or permanent habitat easements. Approximately 350 acres will be native prairie. Work will be focused in areas identified as having significant biodiversity by the Minnesota Biological Survey and located in priority areas in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 2000 to address the loss of America’s grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to permanently preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is authorized to work in the prairie landscapes of western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa.To date, the Refuge has protected 9,660 acres in Minnesota. Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will allow The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), working in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will cooperate on protecting approximately 705 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. We expect to protect approximately 300 acres in fee title and approximately 405 acres with permanent habitat easements.This program’s work is targeted at protecting high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The lands protected will consist of native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, and lakes.Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria:1) Is there untilled native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to untilled native prairie?2) Is the property in a priority area (core/corridor/complex) identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)?3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land?4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey (Biological Survey) as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities?5) Is it suitable for public recreation?Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration/enhancement. Restoration/enhancement will be completed where needed. With this program's focus on native habitat, only a limited amount of cropland restoration has been required. To date, less than 2% of the land acquired was cultivated at the time of purchase. The funds budgeted for this work are primarily for enhancement, like tree and brush removal, to prepare these properties for long-term, sustainable management. Previous OHF support has allowed the partners to make significant progress towards our shared goal of protecting and buffering the remaining native prairie. The first property was acquired in March, 2013. Since then, 5,465 acres have been added to the Refuge with OHF funding. Of these, 3,220 acres are classified as untilled native prairie. Additional habitat includes 514 acres of wetlands and more than 12 miles of stream and/or lakefront. Offers have been extended to landowners for the protection of 760 additional acres. Talks are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners.With additional support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, this program will continue to make real and lasting progress towards protecting Minnesota’s native prairies and the wildlife that depend on those lands.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-x,,,,
10019637,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase XII",2022,3280000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(d)","$3,280,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance lands in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Land acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel, as will the proximity to other protected land and neighboring habitat types, including oak savanna, wetlands, and Big Woods forest. These factors are considered in the ranking criteria for each parcel. Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel. Surrounding natural habitat types and cropped areas will be evaluated as part of the ranking criteria for submitted parcels",,,266200,"PF NAWCA",3234500,45500,,0.98,"The Nature Conservancy with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will work together to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western and central Minnesota by purchasing approximately 875 acres of fee title properties and/or permanent habitat easements. Approximately 469 acres will be native prairie. Work will be focused in areas identified as having significant biodiversity by the Minnesota Biological Survey and located in priority areas in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 2000 to address the loss of America's grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to permanently preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is authorized to work in the prairie landscapes of western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. To date, the Refuge has protected more than 12,000 acres. Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will allow The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), working in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will cooperate on protecting approximately 875 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. We expect to protect approximately 350 acres in fee title and approximately 525 acres with permanent habitat easements. This program's work is targeted at protecting high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The lands protected will consist of native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, coulees, and lakes. Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria: 1) Is there untilled native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to untilled native prairie? 2) Is the property in a priority area (core/corridor/complex) identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)? 3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land? 4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey (Biological Survey) or FWS biologists as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities? 5) Is it suitable for public recreation? Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration or enhancement work. Restoration and enhancement will be completed where needed. With this program's focus on native habitat, only a limited amount of cropland restoration has been required. The funds for this work are primarily for enhancement activities such as invasives, tree, and brush removal that prepare these properties for long-term management. Previous OHF support has allowed the partners to make significant progress towards our shared goal of protecting and buffering the remaining native prairie. The first property was acquired in March, 2013. Since then, approximately 6,319 acres have been added to the Refuge with OHF funding. Of these, approximately 3,715 acres (nearly 60%) are classified as untilled native prairie. Additional habitat includes nearly 560 acres of wetlands, nearly 15 miles of stream front, and more than 2 miles of lakefront. We have signed agreements with landowners for the protection of approximately 737 additional acres (470 acres of which are native prairie), and are negotiating with landowners on an additional 75 acres. Talks are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners. With additional support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, this program will continue to make real and lasting progress towards protecting Minnesota's native prairies and the wildlife that depend on those lands.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,6123310790,ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-xii,,,,
10017821,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase XI",2021,2295000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(d)","$2,295,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire lands in fee or permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance lands in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel, as will the proximity to other protected land and neighboring habitat types, including oak savanna, wetlands, and Big Woods forest. These factors are considered in the ranking criteria for each parcel. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel. Surrounding natural habitat types and cropped areas will be evaluated as part of the ranking criteria for submitted parcels",,,184700,"PF NAWCA, TNC and USFWS",2261200,33800,,0.86,"The Nature Conservancy w/USFWS ","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will work together to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western and central Minnesota by purchasing approximately 620 acres of fee title properties and/or permanent habitat easements. Approximately 333 acres will be native prairie. Work will be focused in areas identified as having significant biodiversity by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or the US Fish and Wildlife Service and located in priority areas in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 2000 to address the loss of America's grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to permanently preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is authorized to work in the prairie landscapes of western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. To date, the Refuge has protected 11,400 acres in Minnesota. Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will allow The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), working in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will cooperate on protecting approximately 620 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. We expect to protect approximately 245 acres in fee title and approximately 375 acres with permanent habitat easements. This program's work is targeted at protecting high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The lands protected will consist of native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, coulees, and lakes. Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria: 1) Is there untilled native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to untilled native prairie? 2) Is the property in a priority area (core/corridor/complex) identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)? 3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land? 4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey (Biological Survey) or FWS biologists as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities? 5) Is it suitable for public recreation? Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration or enhancement work. Restoration and enhancement will be completed where needed. With this program's focus on native habitat, only a limited amount of cropland restoration has been required. The funds budgeted for this work are primarily for enhancement activities, including tree and brush removal, to prepare these properties for long-term, sustainable management. Previous OHF support has allowed the partners to make significant progress towards our shared goal of protecting and buffering the remaining native prairie. The first property was acquired in March, 2013. Since then, 5,787 acres have been added to the Refuge with OHF funding. Of these, 3,400 acres (nearly 60%) are classified as untilled native prairie. Additional habitat includes more than 500 acres of wetlands, more than 10 miles of stream front, and more than 2 miles of lakefront. Offers have been extended to landowners for the protection of 215 additional acres. Talks are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners. With additional support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, this program will continue to make real and lasting progress towards protecting Minnesota's native prairies and the wildlife that depend on those lands. ",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,6123310790,ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Traverse","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-xi,,,,
788,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Protection, Phase II",2011,2041000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$2,041,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land or permanent easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. A list of proposed fee title and permanent easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement stewardship plan.",,"Protect in Fee w/o PILT 564 acres of prairies, Enhanced 488 acres of Prairie",,,,2041000,,,,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will permanently protect remnant native prairie and associated wetland complexes in western Minnesota by purchasing fee title properties and/or habitat easements. Lands and easements purchased through this program by The Nature Conservancy will be transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and will become units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge to be owned and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The majority of the lands protected will consist of native prairie, however, restoration of wetlands and grasslands will also be completed where needed. ","The Northern tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve, restore and manage a portion of the remaining critical northern tallgrass prairie habitat and associated habitats at widespread locations throughout the western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa historic range. Only 5 percent of the original tallgrass prairie remains for preservation consideration throughout the entire historic tallgrass prairie range. Native prairie declines of 99.9% and 99.6% have occurred in Iowa and Minnesota, respectively. Grassland dependent bird species have shown steeper, more consistent, and geographically more widespread declines than any other group of North American birds. The number of acres purchased annually has been limited due to funding shortfalls since the establishment of this refuge. The current land acquisition budget cannot keep up with landowner interest? in this program. This funding will allow us to better meet refuge goals and objectives to protect this vanishing habitat. The Nature Conservancy will work closely with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to review potential properties within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area. These properties will be ranked by Service field staff who will work with the TNC personnel to permanently protect these tracts. ","Final Report",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway ",Minneapolis,None,55415,"(612) 331-0790",ruth.thornton@tnc.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Norman, Polk, Pope, Pope","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-protection,,,,
9800,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition , Phase 4",2013,1580000,"ML 2012, Ch. 264, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(e)","$1,580,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan.",,"Protected 769 acres of prairies.",,175500,"TNC, USFWS, NAWCA, and LWCF",1579900,,,1.05,"The Nature Conservancy with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This appropriation allowed the permanent protection of 769 acres in western Minnesota.  These properties included 287 acres of remnant native prairie, 112 acres of associated wetland complexes, and 19,500' of stream front.  For this phase, we committed to protecting 500 acres with a minimum of 250 being native prairie.  Both targets were exceeded – 153% of total acres and 115% of native prairie acres.  The lands and easements purchased with this funding by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have been transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and are now units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.",,"The Council’s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota’s remaining native prairies as a critical priority.  The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes where there are the greatest opportunities for the long-term conservation of these prairies.  The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition (NTP NWR) program shares these goals.  This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffer them.  With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals.  This program’s top criterion for parcel prioritization is the presence of remnant native prairie.  The criteria also ask: 1) Is the project located in an existing complex of habitat and protected lands? and 2) Are rare species and/or communities present?  As a result, the parcels protected often include other valuable native habitat.  In addition to native prairie, the five acquired properties included 112 acres of wetlands, 19,500' of stream front, and 140-acres of high-quality riparian forest.  All of the lands protected were in the priority areas identified in the Prairie Plan.  Data from the Minnesota Biological Survey confirms the conservation value of the lands protected.  329 acres were identified as having significant biodiversity significance, with 2/3 of these ranked as having high or outstanding biodiversity.  The appropriation language and original accomplishment plan for this phase permitted the purchase of either fee title properties or permanent habitat easements.  The final balance of fee and easement work depended on the best conservation opportunities available.  Five projects were completed with funding from this phase.  These included 76 acres of fee title acquisition and 693 acres of permanent conservation easements.  Across multiple phases, the balance between fee and easement acquisition varies.  The ML 2010 phase funded more fee acres.  ML 2011 and 2012 purchased more easements.  The following phase, ML 2014, is on track do significantly more fee than easement work.  This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component.  The prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition.    Because of the nature of parcel ownership, however, some properties will likely include small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement.  This work is completed where needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for future management.  Restoration/enhancement activity with this round of funding included 6.3 acres of grassland restoration, 46.6 acres of tree and/or dense vegetation removal, and 426.2 acres of scattered vegetation removal.  These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting.  Two things to note when reviewing the attached Budget Spreadsheet and Output Tables:1) The Request column in the Budget and Cash Leverage Table is out of date.  The figures shown are from the originally approved accomplishment plan.  It does not reflect any later amendments.  This discrepancy resulted from the shift from paper to online reporting during this phase.2) The Output Tables tab shows all of the original Acres and Funding on the Protect in Fee W/O State PILT Liability.  The ‘either/or’ language in the original, paper-based accomplishment plans didn’t carry over when the plan was migrated to the online system.  The new system didn’t allow ‘or’ situations.  The acres all appear under Protect in Fee w/o PILT in the attached Output Tables.",2012-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,"Richard ",Johnson,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway ",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",rich_johnson@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Pope, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-4,,,,
23937,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition , Phase V",2015,2450000,"ML 2014, Ch. 256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$2,450,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. Subject to the evaluation criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"USFWS and TNC biologists and GIS analysts measured the following outcomes from this funding: Total acres protected - 887 acres Acres of native prairie - 664 acres Other native habitat protected - 76 acres of wetlands and 8,500' of streamfront Projects located in MN Prairie Conservation Plan core/corridor/complex - 100% (10 of 10 properties) Acres identified by MN Biological Survey as biologically significant - 553 acres Expiring CRP lands permanently protected - 86 acres ",,352400,"USFWS ",2449400,40900,,1.50,"The Nature Conservancy with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This appropriation allowed the permanent protection of 887 acres in western Minnesota. These properties included 664 acres of remnant native prairie, 76 acres of associated wetlands complexes, and 8,500' of streamfront. For this phase we originally planned to protect 740 acres with a minimum of 375 native prairie. Both targets were exceeded - 120% of total acres and 177% of native prairie acres. The land and easements purchased with this funding by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have been transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and are now units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. ",,"The Council’s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota’s remaining native prairies as a critical priority.  The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes where there are the greatest opportunities for the long-term conservation of these prairies.  The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition (NTP NWR) program shares these goals.  This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffers them.  With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals.   This phase included the purchase of both fee title properties and permanent habitat easements.  The original targets for fee and conservation easement acquisition were 485 acres and 255 acres, respectively.  Both goals were exceeded - 520 acres of fee (107% of goal) and 367 acres of easements (144% of goal).  This program’s top criterion for selecting projects is the presence of remnant native prairie.  As noted above, 664 acres of remnant native prairie were permanently protected.  Another important goal is protecting lands in existing complexes of habitat and protected lands.  All of the acquired properties were in areas identified as a priority core/complex/corridor in the Prairie Plan.  We also target lands with high-quality habitat and the rare species this habitat supports.  Data from the Minnesota Biological Survey confirm the conservation value of the lands conserved.  553 acres were identified as having significant biodiversity, with 272 of these ranked as having high or outstanding biodiversity.  These lands support a wide-range of prairie species of concern, including Greater Prairie Chickens, Wilson's Phalaropes, Blandings's Turtles, and Regal Fritallaries.  Another highlight in this phase was the protection of several rare outcrops of Sioux Quartzite and the species that depend on these outcrops.  This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component.  The prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition.    Because of the nature of parcel ownership, however, some properties included small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement.  This work is completed where needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for future management.  Restoration/enhancement activity with this round of funding included 149 acres of grassland site preparation/seeding or interseeding/mowing, 6 acres of tree and/or dense vegetation removal, and 98 acres of scattered vegetation removal.  These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting.   One thing to note when reviewing the attached Budget Spreadsheet.  The Request column in the Budget and Cash Leverage Table is out of date.  The figures shown are from the originally approved accomplishment plan.  It does not reflect any later amendments.  This discrepancy resulted from the shift from paper to online reporting during this phase.  See the final version of the Accomplishment Plan, approved in January, 2017, for the final figures. ",2014-07-01,2018-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Johnson,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway ",Minneapolis,,55415-1291,"(612) 331-0790",rich_johnson@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Waseca, Watonwan, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-v,,,,
2532,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition, Phase 3",2012,1720000,"ML 2011, First Special Session, Ch. 6, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$1,720,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land or permanent easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The accomplishment plan must include an easement monitoring and enforcement plan.",,"Protected 752 acres of remnant native prairie and 78 acres of associated wetland complexes for a total of 977 acres.",,167200,"The Nature Conservancy Personnel",1715100,,,.41,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This appropriation allowed the permanent protection of 977 acres in western Minnesota. These properties included 752 acres of remnant native prairie, 78 acres of associated wetland complexes, 8,950' of stream front, and 9,400' of lakeshore. Lands and easements purchased through this program by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and become units of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. These lands are owned and managed by the FWS. ",,"The Council’s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota’s remaining native prairies as a critical priority. Only a small portion of this once vast prairie still exists. The Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) identifies approximately 249,000 acres of remaining native prairie. Of these, about half are without permanent protection and at risk of conversion. The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve, restore, and manage a portion of this remaining prairie and associated habitats. The funding in this appropriation has allowed us to significantly accelerate progress towards these goals. 977 acres in western Minnesota were permanently protected with conservation easements. These properties included 752 acres of remnant native prairie, 78 acres of associated wetland complexes, 8,950' of stream front, and 9,400' of lakeshore. The area protected by the Refuge increased by 18.4%. Data from MBS confirms the conservation value of the lands protected. Of the 977 acres, 811 were classified by the Survey as having Outstanding, High, or Moderate biodiversity significance. Over half, 497 acres, was ranked as Outstanding. The original target for native prairie protection was 744 acres. We exceeded this goal, with 752 acres. The initial goal for total acres-protected was 1,470 acres. This was based on acquiring a mix of lands in Northwest, Central and Southwest Minnesota. Land values vary widely across the state. The highest-quality lands available during this phase were in areas with higher costs. This made it a challenge to accomplish the 1,470 acre goal. In a multi-year program, like this one, individual phases are likely to be over or under the target. It is, however, important that the program can meet-or-exceed its goals over a longer period. Acquisition work with the ML 2010, 2011, and 2012 appropriations is now complete. The acres protected in ML 2010 and 2012 were significantly more than projected. This more than outweighed the shortfall in the ML 2011 phase. Together, the accomplishment plans for the three phases committed to 2,605 acres. A total of 2,796 acres have been protected. Another challenge was the balance between fee and easement acquisition. The appropriation language and original accomplishment plan for this phase permitted the purchase of either fee title properties or permanent habitat easements. The final balance of fee and easement work would depend on the opportunities available. The ‘either/or’ language in the earlier, paper-based accomplishment plans didn’t carry over when the plan was migrated to the online system. The new system didn’t allow ‘or’ situations. The acres all appear under Protect in Fee w/o PILT in the attached Output Tables. In the end, a total of 977 acres of conservation easements were acquired. These were the best conservation opportunities available during this phase. This is borne out by the 744 acres of native prairie protected and the 83% of these lands classified as having significant biodiversity by the Biological Survey. Again, across multiple phases, there is likely to be more balance between fee and easement acquisition. The ML 2010 phase funded more fee acquisition protection. ML 2011 and 2012 purchased more easements. Our current acquisition work, with ML 2014 funding, is doing significantly more fee protection. A couple of additional things to note when reviewing the attached Budget Spreadsheet/Output Tables/Parcel List: First, the Request column in the Budget and Cash Leverage Table is out of date. The figures shown are from the originally approved accomplishment plan. It does not reflect any later amendments. This discrepancy also resulted from the shift from paper to online reporting. Second, the Murray County #3 property on the Parcels tab shows the dollars/acres for only a portion of this parcel. This purchase was split between two appropriations, ML 2010 and 2011. The total cost was $846,225 and the total area was 187 acres. The ML 2010 appropriation paid for $734,623 of this. These costs, and a proportional share of the acres accomplished, were reported with that round. The $111,602 and 25 acres shown here are the remaining amounts.",2011-07-01,2014-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Richard,Johnson,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway, Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,612-331-0790,rich_johnson@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Otter Tail, Pope","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-3,,,,
35044,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase VI",2016,3428200,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$3,430,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"686 acres protected (in fee without state PILT liability) and 597 acres protected in easement for a total of 1,283 acres ",,456300,"USFWS, TNC ",3384200,40000,,1.21,"The Nature Conservancy with USFWS","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This appropriation allowed the permanent protection of 1,283 acres in western Minnesota, including 583 acres of remnant prairie, 500 acres of other grasslands, 88 acres of wetlands, and more than 8,150' of streamfront. For this phase we had originally planned to protect 1,090 acres, with at least 545 acres of native prairie. We exceeded both goals, protecting 118% of the total acre goal and 107% of the native prairie acre goal. All parcels that were purchased with this funding by TNC have been transferred to the USFWS as part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. ",,"The Council’s 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota’s remaining native prairies as a critical priority.  The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes in areas with the greatest opportunities for long-term conservation of these prairies.  The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (NTP NWR) Land Acquisition program shares these goals.  This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffers them.  With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals.   This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component of the acres acquired.  While the prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition, because of the nature of parcel ownership some properties included small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement.  This work is completed only on parcels acquired with this funding, as needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for inclusion into the NTP NWR and future management.  These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting. ",2015-07-01,2020-11-03,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Pope, Wilkin","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-vi-1,,,,
10035250,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase XIV",2025,4412000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(a)","$4,412,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance lands within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or USFWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel, as will the proximity to other protected land and neighboring habitat types, including oak savanna, wetlands, and Big Woods forest. These factors are considered in the ranking criteria for each parcel. Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or USFWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel. Surrounding natural habitat types and cropped areas will be evaluated as part of the ranking criteria for submitted parcels",,,350000,"Federal and USFWS",4327000,85000,,1.8,TNC,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will work together to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western and central Minnesota by purchasing approximately 1,112 acres of fee title properties and/or permanent habitat easements. Approximately 726 acres will be native prairie. Work will be focused in priority areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan that have significant biodiversity by the Minnesota Biological Survey.","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 2000 to address the loss of America's grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to permanently preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is authorized to work in the prairie landscapes of western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. To date, the Refuge has protected more than 13,040 acres. Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will allow The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), working in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will cooperate on protecting approximately 1,112 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. We expect to protect approximately 910 acres with permanent habitat easements and approximately 202 acres in fee title. This program's work is targeted at protecting high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The lands protected will consist of native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, coulees, and lakes. Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria: 1) Is there untilled native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to untilled native prairie? 2) Is the property in a priority area (core/corridor/complex) identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)? 3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land? 4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey (Biological Survey) or FWS biologists as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities? 5) Is it suitable for public recreation? Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration or enhancement work. Restoration and enhancement will be completed where needed. With this program's focus on native habitat, only a limited amount of cropland restoration has been required. The funds for this work are primarily for enhancement activities such as invasives, tree, and brush removal that prepare these properties for long-term management. Previous OHF support has allowed the partners to make significant progress towards our shared goal of protecting and buffering the remaining native prairie. The first property was acquired in March, 2013. Since then, approximately 7,826 acres have been added to the Refuge with OHF funding. Of these, approximately 4,752 acres (approximately 61%) are classified as untilled native prairie. Additional habitat includes nearly 630 acres of wetlands, nearly 22 miles of stream front, and more than 2.5 miles of lakefront. We have signed agreements with landowners for the protection of approximately 787 additional acres and are negotiating with landowners on an additional 1,587 acres. Talks are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners. With additional support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, this program will continue to make lasting progress towards protection Minnesota's native prairies and the wildlife that depends on those lands.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Chris,McGrath,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,6123310752,c.mcgrath@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-xiv,,,,
35089,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase VII",2017,2754000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)"," $2,754,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore lands within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.",,"This program?s top criterion for selecting projects is the presence of remnant native prairie. As noted above, 486 acres of remnant native prairie were permanently protected. Another important goal is protecting lands in existing complexes of habitat and protected lands were in areas identified as a Prairie Core or Corridor in the MN Prairie Plan. We also target lands with high-quality habitat and the rare species this habitat supports. Data from the Minnesota Biological Survey identified nearly 2/3 of the protected acres as having significant biodiversity. These lands support a wide range of prairie species of concern and the vegetative communities that support them, including wet, mesic, and dry hill prairies, wet seepage prairies, calcareous fens, and migratory stopover habitats for water birds. Species benefited by the protected parcels include Blanding's turtles, the creek heelsplitter mussel, nesting upland sandpipers, small white lady?s slipper, and many others. Another highlight in this phase was the protection of multiple lengths of stream that are designated critical habitat for the federally endangered Topeka shiner.","A total of 910 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 482 in Fee Title, 428 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",516600,"PF-USFWS, TNC and USFWS",2660600,52300,,1.07,"The Nature Conservancy w/USFWS ","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The acquisition work for this phase has been completed. The goal for this phase was the protection of 730 acres, 390 in fee title and 340 in conservation easements. Over the life of the grant we protected 910 acres (124% of the goal), 482 acres in fee title and 428 acres in conservation easements. The goal for native prairie acres for this phase was 410 acres. We protected a total of 456 native prairie acres (111% of the goal): 220 native prairie acres in fee title and 256 native prairie acres in easements. ","The Council's 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota's remaining native prairies as a critical priority. The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes in areas with the greatest opportunities for long-term conservation of these prairies. The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (NTP NWR) Land Acquisition program shares these goals. This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffers them. With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals. This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component of the acres acquired. While the prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition, because of the nature of parcel ownership some properties included small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement. This work is completed only on parcels acquired with this funding, as needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for inclusion into the NTP NWR and future management. These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting. Restoration/enhancement activity with this round of funding included grassland site preparation/seeding or interseeding/mowing, tree and/or dense vegetation removal and invasive species control on two parcels. ",,2016-07-01,2022-05-23,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ruth,Thornton,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0790",ruth.thornton@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Kandiyohi, Pipestone, Pope, Rock","Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-vii,,,,
10000095,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Land Acquisition - Phase VIII",2018,2683000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(d)","$2,683,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore lands within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisitions of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96 or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"This program's top criterion for selecting projects is the presence of remnant native prairie. As noted above, 772 acres of remnant native prairie were permanently protected. Another important goal is protecting lands in existing complexes of habitat and protected lands were in areas identified as a Prairie Core or Corridor in the MN Prairie Plan. We also target lands with high-quality habitat and the rare species this habitat supports. These permanently protected lands support a wide range of prairie species of concern and the vegetative communities that support them, including wet, mesic, and dry hill prairies, wet seepage prairies, calcareous fens, and migratory stopover habitats for water birds. Species benefited by the protected parcels include Blanding's turtles, the creek heelsplitter mussel, nesting upland sandpipers, small white lady's slipper, and many others.","A total of 973 acres were affected: 0 Restored, 60 in Fee Title, 913 in Easements, 0 in Enhance.",125000,"TNC and USFWS",2533000,48300,,0.89,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The acquisition work for this phase has been completed. The goal for this phase was the protection of 770 acres in fee and conservation easements. Over the life of the grant we protected 973 acres (126% of the goal): 913 acres in conservation easements and 60 acres in fee title. The goal for native prairie acres for this phase was 385 acres. We protected a total of 772 acres of native prairie acres (201% of the goal).","The Council's 25-Year Framework identifies protecting Minnesota's remaining native prairies as a critical priority. The Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan) describes the importance of preserving the cores/corridors/complexes in areas with the greatest opportunities for long-term conservation of these prairies. The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (NTP NWR) Land Acquisition program shares these goals. This program is a cooperative, multi-year effort of The Nature Conservancy and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and protect our remaining prairies and the surrounding habitat that buffers them. With Outdoor Heritage Fund support, this partnership is working together to advance these goals. This program also includes a relatively small restoration/enhancement component of the acres acquired. While the prioritization criteria favor parcels that are in good condition, because of the nature of parcel ownership some properties included small areas of converted or degraded lands needing grassland or wetland restoration/enhancement. This work is completed only on parcels acquired with this funding, as needed to get these properties into a sustainable condition for inclusion into the NTP NWR and future management. These acres are not reported as a separate outcome in the Output Tables in order to avoid any possible double-counting. Restoration/enhancement activity with this round of funding included grassland site preparation/seeding or interseeding/mowing, tree and/or dense vegetation removal and invasive species control on four parcels acquired with acquisition funding from this round.",,2017-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Chris,McGrath,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W. River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,612-331-0790,c.mcgrath@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Brown, Clay, Kandiyohi, Pipestone, Pope, Rock, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-land-acquisition-phase-viii,,,,
10033403,"Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, Phase XIII",2023,3870000,"ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(g)","$3,870,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land in fee or permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance lands within the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area in western Minnesota for addition to the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel, as will the proximity to other protected land and neighboring habitat types, including oak savanna, wetlands, and Big Woods forest. These factors are considered in the ranking criteria for each parcel. Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - The percent of native remnant prairie, as determined by the Minnesota Biological Survey and/or FWS biologists, will be documented on each parcel. Surrounding natural habitat types and cropped areas will be evaluated as part of the ranking criteria for submitted parcels",,,260000,"PF NAWCA and USFWS",3817500,52500,,1.3,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service will work together to permanently protect native prairie and associated complexes of wetlands and native habitats in western and central Minnesota by purchasing approximately 1,020 acres of fee title properties and/or permanent habitat easements. Approximately 545 acres will be native prairie. Work will be focused in areas identified as having significant biodiversity by the Minnesota Biological Survey and located in priority areas in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","The Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 2000 to address the loss of America's grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The Refuge was created to permanently preserve and restore a portion of our disappearing tallgrass prairie. The Refuge is authorized to work in the prairie landscapes of western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. To date, the Refuge has protected more than 12,400 acres. Funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) will allow The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), working in partnership, to significantly accelerate this progress. TNC and USFWS will cooperate on protecting approximately 1,020 acres of native prairie and associated habitat in the 49 Minnesota counties within the Refuge boundary. We expect to protect approximately 408 acres in fee title and approximately 612 acres with permanent habitat easements. This program's work is targeted at protecting high-quality native habitat in areas with existing concentrations of native prairie, wetlands, and protected lands. The lands protected will consist of native prairie and associated habitats including wetlands, streams, coulees, and lakes. Potential acquisitions are reviewed using the following criteria: 1) Is there untilled native prairie on the tract? If not, is it adjacent to untilled native prairie? 2) Is the property in a priority area (core/corridor/complex) identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan (Prairie Plan)? 3) Is it adjacent to an existing complex of protected land? 4) Was it identified by Minnesota Biological Survey (Biological Survey) or FWS biologists as having concentrations of threatened and endangered species and communities? 5) Is it suitable for public recreation? Because of the nature of parcel ownership, some properties acquired through this program will likely include small areas of converted or degraded habitat needing restoration or enhancement work. Restoration and enhancement will be completed where needed. With this program's focus on native habitat, only a limited amount of cropland restoration has been required. The funds for this work are primarily for enhancement activities such as invasives, tree, and brush removal that prepare these properties for long-term management. Previous OHF support has allowed the partners to make significant progress towards our shared goal of protecting and buffering the remaining native prairie. The first property was acquired in March, 2013. Since then, approximately 6,779 acres have been added to the Refuge with OHF funding. Of these, approximately 4,028 acres (nearly 60%) are classified as untilled native prairie. Additional habitat includes nearly 600 acres of wetlands, nearly 20 miles of stream front, and more than 2.5 miles of lakefront. We have signed agreements with landowners for the protection of approximately 737 additional acres (443 acres of which are native prairie), and are negotiating with landowners on an additional 266 acres. Talks are ongoing with a long list of interested landowners. With additional support from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, this program will continue to make lasting progress towards protecting Minnesota's native prairies and the wildlife that depend on those lands.",,2022-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Chris,McGrath,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 West River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,6123310752,c.mcgrath@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/northern-tallgrass-prairie-national-wildlife-refuge-phase-xiii,,,,
742,"Online Field Trip of Minnesota River",2011,124000,"M.L. 2010, Chp. 362, Sec. 2, Subd. 08k","$124,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota State University - Mankato to develop online educational materials on the Minnesota River for schools and outreach centers.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,,,,,"MN State University - Mankato","Public College/University","PROJECT OVERVIEW Considerable public funding and effort has gone into better understanding and restoring the Minnesota River, but the research is not always readily accessible or easily understood by the public. There is a need to bridge the information gap between researchers and the public to help improve environmental education about the river. The Water Resources Center at Minnesota State University - Mankato is using this appropriation to develop educational materials and a multimedia virtual field trip that showcase, in an engaging format, what natural resource experts have learned about this unique area of our state. The materials and virtual field trip will be available on the internet and at informational kiosks placed at the Treaty Site History Center near St Peter, the Regional River History Center in New Ulm, the Ney Nature Center near Henderson and the Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) Office in Montevideo. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS Considerable public funding and effort has gone into better understanding and restoring the Minnesota River. Research about the river is housed in an array of scientific publications not easily accessible for the public. This project helps to bridge the information gap between researchers and the public and to generally improve environmental education about the river. The project's goal is to increase public awareness about the river's health by using new media techniques to engage students and the public. Major results included 1) developing and delivering the ""Ask an Expert about the Minnesota River"" website and 2) performing educational outreach. This project developed a multi-media virtual field trip with accompanying educational materials to showcase what scientists are learning about the Minnesota River. Citizens have a unique opportunity to learn directly from natural resource experts about the current state of the Minnesota River. Video clips of interviews and related information are available online on the Minnesota River Basin Data Center website: http://mrbdc.mnsu.edu/learn. Online Educational Website - Ask an Expert about the Minnesota River Video clips of scientist and citizen experts answering questions about the river's health are the central feature of the website enriched by accompanying handouts, and graphics. Specifically, the major features of the website include:171 video clips of experts answering questions;27 handouts with background information developed to enrich each theme;9 panoramic virtual tours and 20 slideshows;5 educator's guides and 7 accompanying PowerPoint presentations on prairies, wetlands, agriculture, fish, and mussels.Educational outreach and learning stations Four computer kiosks (learning stations) were installed at key educational centers across the basin - specifically Treaty Site History Center in St. Peter, MN; Regional River History Center in New Ulm, MN; Ney Nature Center in Henderson, MN; and Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) office in Montevideo, MN - likely reaching 4,000-8,000 people in the upcoming year. Open houses at the four educational centers and other events directly reached approximately 349 people during the project period. Four school classroom presentations reached approximately 371 students. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The broad dissemination goals for the project are to share data with the public, students and teachers through both traditional and nontraditional outreach methods. The dissemination of this project proceeded at several levels. All the project data is available on the web in a user-friendly format. Computer kiosks (learning stations) highlighting the project were developed and installed in four key river and history centers across the basin. We also conducted outreach to three schools and four educational centers that included presentations and open houses. We have also used social media resources such as Facebook and YouTube to disseminate information about the project. We worked collaboratively with a wide range of state and local agencies (MPCA, MDNR, Department of Agriculture, etc.) and citizen organizations (CURE, Ney Nature Center, Nicollet County Historical Society) to develop and publicize the project. Project staff have spoken about the project to local and state officials and staff, nonprofit organizations, teachers and students, and citizens. The project has received attention at scientific meetings (both poster session in 2011 and presentation in 2012 at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference) and educational training (DNR Naturalists). The project team plans to continue outreach to schools and putting on public events to promote the project and further raise public awareness about the Minnesota River.",,"Final Report",2010-07-01,2012-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Kimberly,Musser,"MN State University - Mankato","184 Trafton Science Center S",Mankato,MN,56001,"(507) 389-5492",kimberly.musser@mnsu.edu,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Waseca, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/online-field-trip-minnesota-river,,,,
10031421,"Outdoor Pathways to Environmental Education, Recreation, and Careers",2025,1500000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 05j","$1,500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Wilderness Inquiry to promote equity in access to outdoor activities, places, and careers by providing Minnesotans with a continuum of outdoor experiences from the backyard to the backcountry, implementing environmental education curriculum for youth, and delivering professional development workshops for educators.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,25.98,"Wilderness Inquiry","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Wilderness Inquiry engages 20,000 Minnesotans through outdoor adventures, promoting equity in access to outdoor activities, places, and careers and supporting stewardship and conservation values for current and future generations.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Meg,Krueger,"Wilderness Inquiry","1611 County Road B West Ste 315","Saint Paul",MN,55113,"(612) 676-9400",development@wildernessinquiry.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/outdoor-pathways-environmental-education-recreation-and-careers,,,,
784,"Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grant Program - FY 2010",2010,4000000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(a)","$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for a pilot program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations, including government, for enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Up to 6-1/2 percent of this appropriation may be used for administering the grant. The funds may be advanced in three equal sums, on or after November 1, 2009, February 1, 2010, and April 1, 2010. Grantees may protect land through acquisition of land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed acquisition of land or interest in land. The program shall require a match of at least $1 nonstate funds to $10 state funds. The nonstate dollars match may be in-kind. The criteria for evaluating grant applications must include amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected; local support; degree of collaboration; urgency; multiple benefits; habitat benefits provided; consistency with sound conservation science; adjacency to protected lands; full funding of the project; supplementing existing funding; public access for hunting and fishing during the open season; sustainability; and use of native plant materials. All projects must conform to the Minnesota statewide conservation and preservation plan. Wildlife habitat projects must also conform to the state wildlife action plan. Priority may be given to projects acquiring land or easements associated with existing wildlife management areas. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by conservation easement or public ownership. To the extent possible, a person conducting prairie restorations with money appropriated in this section must plant vegetation or sow seed only of ecotypes native to Minnesota, and preferably of the local ecotype, using a high diversity of species originating from as close to the restoration site as possible, and protect existing native prairies from genetic contamination. Subdivision 10 applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2013, at which time all grant projects must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the grant agreement. No less than 15 percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council. As a condition of proceeding with this appropriation, the commissioner shall report on the feasibility, process, and timeline for creation of a Minnesota fish and wildlife foundation, to be modeled after the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and on the possibility of allowing for the administration by this entity of the conservation partners grant program. The legislative guide created in this act shall consider whether this program should be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the commissioner of natural resources, or some neutral third party.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species Landlocked public properties are accessible with have increased access for land managers Improved aquatic habitat indicators Improved aquatic habitat indicators Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Water is kept on the land Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna Improved aquatic habitat indicators Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species Remnant goat prairies are perpetually protected High priority riparian lands, forestlands, and savannas are protected from parcelization and fragmentation Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat Improved aquatic habitat indicators Stream to bluff habitat restoration and enhancement will keep water on the land to slow runoff and degradation of aquatic habitat Landlocked public properties have increased access for land managers Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands Improved condition of habitat on public lands Water is kept on the land Increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation nee","A total of 10,243 acres were effected: 3,863 enhanced, 752 protect in easement, 369 protected in fee w/o PILT, 610 protect in fee with PILT, and 4,649 restored. 370 acres were restored native prairie. ",,,,4000000,,,2.0,DNR,"State Government","This program is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations, including government. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% non-state cash or in-kind match was required from all grantees, and was identified at the time of application. ","CONSERVATION PARTNERS GRANTS PROGRAM This grant program consists of two activity categories: Category 1 - Restoration and Enhancement. For the purpose of this grant program, this work is defined as: Restore: action to bring a habitat back to a former state of sustaining fish, game or wildlife, with an ultimate goal of restoring habitat to a desired conservation condition. Enhance: action to increase the ability of habitat and related natural systems to sustain and improve fish, game or wildlife in an ecologically sound manner. Projects funded under Category 1, Restoration and Enhancement, consists of activities that restore or enhance habitat for fish, game, or wildlife on lands permanently protected by conservation easement or public ownership. Specific activities can be found in LSOHC Habitat activity Definitions. 1. Proposed projects on public lands are approved by and coordinated with public land managers. Projects proposed for lands under permanent conservation easement are reviewed by public land managers. Proof of review or approval is submitted with the grant application. 2. Restoration and enhancement activities are considered permanent work and a conservation easement is required for private lands before work could begin. Funding for the easement/deed restriction and associated costs can be paid for with in-kind match or grant funds. 3. Grantees are responsible for all administrative requirements such as Historic Property Review, Wetland Conservation Act, Stormwater Permits, Natural Heritage Review, DNR Waters Permits, and others as appropriate. Costs for any reviews or permits are included in the grant application, either as in-kind match or requested from grant dollars. As specified in the grant agreement, grantees may, by letter, assign these duties and associated funds back to DNR, with DNR consent. 4. The Commissioner of Natural Resources will approve all projects. 5. Vegetation and seed used in these projects are from ecotypes native to MN, and preferably of the local ecotype, using a high diversity of species originating from as close to the restoration site as possible. Existing native prairies are protected from genetic contamination to the extent possible. 6. A restoration and management plan is prepared for all restorations, consistent with the highest quality conservation and ecological goals for the restoration site. The plans include: a. The proposed timetable for implementing the restoration, including i. site preparation, ii. establishment of diverse plant species, iii. maintenance, and iv. additional enhancement to establish the restoration; b. Identification of long-term maintenance and management needs of the restoration and how the maintenance, management, and enhancement will be financed; and c. the best available science to achieve the best restoration. 7. Grantees give consideration to and make timely written contact with the MN Conservation Corps for consideration of possible use of their services to contract for restoration and enhancement services. Category 2 - Land Protection Protect: action to maintain the ability of habitat and related natural systems to sustain fish, game or wildlife through acquisition of fee title or conservation easements. For the purpose of this grant program, this work is defined as: Acquisitions funded under Category 2 ? Land protection of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife by acquiring land through fee title or permanent easement. Lands acquired in fee title are open to the public for hunting and fishing during open seasons. Easements include stewardship provisions to perpetually monitor and enforce the conditions of the easements. 1. The Commissioner of Natural Resources will agree to each proposed acquisition of land or interest in land. For fee acquisition, the final title holder and land manager are specified. Lands that will be conveyed to a public agency are donated. 2. For permanent easements, the following information is provided: a. What organization monitors the easement; b. Who the easement reverts to in the event the primary easement holder ceases to exist; c. What easement monitoring standards are used; d. Amount, funding source, and holder of the stewardship endowment dedicated to the easement; and e. Any restrictions, allowed structures, allowed activities, and reserved rights. 3. A restoration and management plan is prepared for all newly acquired lands as described in Category 1.6 above. 4. All acquisition selection processes and related transactions costs for all parties involved in the acquisition are reported to the LSOHC. 5. A Notice of Funding Restriction is recorded for each acquisition. 6. An analysis of future operations and maintenance costs for any acquired lands is provided to the LSOHC, commissioner of finance, and appropriate public agency. 7. The grantee will submit an annual report on the status of property acquired with grant funds to LSOHC by December 1 each year. Grantees acquiring land that will be conveyed to DNR are required to follow DNR?s Third Party Land Acquisition Procedures. All appraisals are done to Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice standards. All land surveys are done to meet DNR?s General Requirements for Land Surveys. Lands that are conveyed to a public agency for long-term management are brought up to the agency?s minimum operating standards before being conveyed. General Program Requirements: all grants will be closed by June 30, 2013, at which time all projects are completed and final products delivered. All grant projects conform to the terms set out in the 2009 MN Session Law Chapter 172, and address the priorities in the MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare. In implementing this program the DNR complies with the Office of Grants Management policies. Grantee Match: The match requirement is 10% in nonstate cash or in-kind work, which includes verifiable equipment use, donation of materials, and donation of labor. The amount and source of the match is identified at the time of application. Proof of all required and pledged grantee match will be provided before the final payment is made. Grant Process: A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be posted on the DNR and LSOHC websites in August 2009. The RFP contains grant program, application criteria, application and proposal requirements, state agency contacts and grant reporting requirements. The RFP and all grant agreements incorporate appropriate principles and criteria from the 2009 LSOHC Strategic Plan. Applications will be accepted electronically, with grants selected for funding in December, 2009, and March, 2010. Maps and aerial photos showing the location of proposed projects are required, and include the name of the public land unit or private landowner, county, legal description, acres affected, and on-site and adjacent habitat types. DNR Grants Program staff will work with grant applicants to ensure applications are complete, compile all grant applications, and enter applications into a database. A Technical Guidance Committee selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources will rank applications based on criteria established by the LSOHC and MN State Legislature and recommend projects and funding levels. This committee includes representatives from DNR, BWSR, the U of M, the USFWS, and other appropriate members. The Commissioner will make the final decision on projects funded, and funding levels. Ranking Criteria Used: 1. Amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected 2. Local support 3. Degree of collaboration 4. Urgency 5. Multiple benefits 6. Habitat benefits provided 7. Consistency with sound conservation science 8. Adjacency to protected lands 9. Full funding of the project 10. Supplementing existing funding 11. Public access for hunting and fishing during the open season 12. Sustainability 13. Use of native plant materials Every effort will be made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location, activity, and funding level. Once grant applications are selected, DNR Grants Program staff will work with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork is completed. Work will not begin until the grant is executed. Grant Payment: Grant payments will be administered on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise provided in the grant agreement. Periodic payments will be made upon receiving documentation that the deliverable items articulated in the approved accomplishment plan have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by approved progress reports. Capital equipment expenditures are not allowed. No less than 15 percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the LSOHC. Project Reviews and Reporting Project reviews will be completed on an annual basis by Grant Program or other DNR staff. Grantees will submit annual accomplishment reports in the form determined by the LSOHC by September 1 of each year. These reports are based on work completed during the previous fiscal year. Reports account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report includes an evaluation of these results. A map and aerial photo showing the location of the project and including the name of the public land unit or private landowner, county, legal description, and acres affected will be included. DNR Grant Program staff will compile grantee reports and submit an annual accomplishment report to the LSOHC, Legislative Coordinating Commission, and Department of Finance on October 15 of each year. Accomplishment information will be posted on LSOHC and DNR websites. MN FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION REPORT: This report will be submitted by January 1, 2010 to the Legislature by the Commissioner of Natural Resources. It considers the feasibility, process, and timeline for creation of a MN fish and wildlife foundation, to be modeled after the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and on the possibility of allowing for the administration by this entity of the conservation partners grant program. The legislative guide created in this act will consider whether this program should be administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the commissioner of natural resources, or some neutral third party. ","Final Report",2009-07-01,2011-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Jessica,Lee,DNR,"500 Lafayette Rd N ","Saint Paul",None,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Hubbard, Isanti, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Stearns, Steele, Steele","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/outdoor-heritage-conservation-partners-grant-program-fy-2010,,,,
814,"Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grant Program - FY 2011",2011,4386000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(i)","$4,386,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive, matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations, including government, for enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Up to four percent of this appropriation may be used by the commissioner of natural resources for administering the grant program. Grantees may acquire land or interests in land. Easements must be permanent. Land acquired in fee must be open to hunting and fishing during the open season unless otherwise provided by state law. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each proposed acquisition of land or interest in land. The program shall require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for grants of $100,000 or less and a match of at least 15 percent from nonstate sources for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. The criteria for evaluating grant applications must include, in a balanced and equally weighted order of precedence, the amount of habitat restored, enhanced, or protected; local support; degree of collaboration; urgency; capacity to achieve multiple benefits; habitat benefits provided; consistency with current conservation science; adjacency to protected lands; full funding of the project; supplementing existing funding; public access for hunting and fishing during the open season; sustainability; and use of native plant materials. All projects must conform to the Minnesota statewide conservation and preservation plan. Wildlife habitat projects must also conform to the Minnesota wildlife action plan. Subject to the evaluation criteria and requirements of this paragraph and Minnesota Statutes, the commissioner of natural resources shall give priority to organizations that have a history or charter to receive private contributions for local conservation or habitat projects when evaluating projects of equal value. Priority may be given to projects acquiring land or easements associated with existing wildlife management areas. All restoration or enhancement projects must be on land permanently protected by conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Subdivision 9 applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph (b). This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, at which time all grant project work must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the grant agreement. No less than five percent of the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.","Forestlands are protected from development and fragmentation Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Healthy populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species Improved aquatic habitat indicators Improved aquatic habitat indicators Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors Water is kept on the land Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need A network of natural land and riparian habitats will connect corridors for wildlife and species in greatest conservation need Protected habitats will hold wetlands and shallow lakes open to public recreation and hunting Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna Improved aquatic habitat indicators Healthier populations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as well as more common species High priority riparian lands, forestlands, and savannas are protected from parcelization and fragmentation Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat Improved aquatic habitat indicators Stream to bluff habitat restoration and enhancement will keep water on the land to slow runoff and degradation of aquatic habitat Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna Protected, restored, and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands Improved condition of habitat on public lands Water is kept on the land Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation nee","8750 acres",,,,4386000,,,1.4,DNR,"State Government","The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program (CPL) is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and governments. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A match of at least 10% from nonstate sources was required for grants of $100,000 or less, and a match of at least 15% from nonstate sources was required for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. All match was identified at the time of application. CPL Program Staff developed a Request for Proposal and Program Manual, solicited applications and oversaw the grant selection process, prepared and executed grant documents, reviewed expenditure documentation, ensured recipients were only reimbursed for allowable expenses, monitored grant work, and assisted recipients with closing out grants. Up to 4% of the appropriation was used for administering the grant program. ","Applicants applied for grants under this program to enhance, restore, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. For projects that restore and/or enhance 1. Projects are only on lands under permanent protection of public fee ownership, or conservation easement as defined in MS 84C.01 or public ownership or in public waters as defined in MS 103G.005, subd. 15. Projects may be done on tribal lands under federal trust arrangements. 2. A conservation easement must be placed on any private land impacted before work may begin. Funding for the easement/deed restriction and associated costs may be paid for with in-kind match or grant funds. 3. Proposed projects on public lands are approved by and coordinated with public land managers. Projects proposed for lands under permanent conservation easement are reviewed by the easement holder. Proof of review or approval must be submitted to grant staff before the application deadline. The private landowner must agree to the project as well. 4. Grantees are responsible for all administrative requirements such as Historic Property Review, Wetland Conservation Act, Stormwater Permits, DNR Waters Permits, and others as appropriate. Costs for any reviews or permits should be included in the grant application, either as in-kind match or requested from grant dollars. As specified in the grant agreement, grantees may, by letter, assign duties and associated funds back to DNR, with DNR consent. 5. A Natural Heritage Review is required for each project site. This must be completed by the Land Manager or Easement Holder, or appropriate DNR staff, and submitted on the Land Manager Approval form. This form must be uploaded to the CPL Application System. 6. The Commissioner of Natural Resources must approve all projects. 7. All projects must meet requirements in the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and follow the principles and criteria outlined in the L-SOHC FY 2011 Call for Funding Request. For projects that will protect 1. Lands acquired in fee title will be open to the public for hunting and fishing during open seasons unless otherwise provided by law. 2. All easements must be permanent. Easements must include stewardship provisions to perpetually monitor and enforce the conditions of the easements. 3. Projects to acquire land in fee simple title or a permanent conservation easement must be associated with established land acquisition programs that use explicit criteria for evaluating a parcel's habitat potential. 4. Grantees must agree to abide by all L-SOHC requirements for long-term management of any lands acquired with Outdoor Heritage Funds (OHF). 5. For fee acquisition, the final title holder and land manager must be specified. Lands that will be conveyed to a public agency must be donated. 6. Some State programs have specific statutory guidelines for determining the value of easements acquired under that program. If the easement will become part of that State program and the easement will be held by the State, any entity acquiring the easement may use that program's statutory method for the easement valuation. 7. All acquisition selection processes and related transactions costs for all parties involved in the acquisition must be reported to the L-SOHC, 8. A Notice of Funding Restriction must be recorded for each acquisition. 9. An analysis of future operations and maintenance costs for any acquired lands must be provided to the L-SOHC, commissioner of finance, and appropriate public agency. 10.The grantee must submit an annual report on the status of property acquired with grant funds to the L-SOHC by December 1 of each year. 11.Grantees acquiring land that will be conveyed to DNR will be required to follow DNR's Land Acquisition Procedures for Lands to be Conveyed to DNR. 12. Grantees acquiring land that will NOT be conveyed to DNR will be required to follow DNR's Land Acquisition Procedures for Lands NOT to be Conveyed to DNR. 13.A Natural Heritage Review is required for each project site. This must be completed by the Land Manager or Easement Holder, or appropriate DNR staff and submitted on the Land Manager Approval form. This form must be, uploaded to the CPL Application System. 14.All projects must meet requirements in the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and follow the principles and criteria outlined in the L-SOHC FY 2011 Call for Funding Request. General Program Requirements Funds for this program were available until June 30, 2014. All grant projects must meet requirements of the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and the L-SOHC's 2010 Call for Funding Requests. In addition, projects must address the priorities in the Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare. Capital expenditures and indirect costs are not allowed. In administering this program the DNR will comply with the Department of Administration, OGM policies. Grantee Match A match of at least 10% from nonstate sources was required for grants of $100,000 or less, and a match of at least 15% from nonstate sources was required for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. All match was identified at the time of application. Grantee Payment Grantees are paid on a reimbursement basis unless other arrangements are specified and approved in a grantee's application and work program. Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash flow needs, to match federal share, or for acquisitions. Advances must be specified in the grantee's application and final grant agreement or work program. Partial payments will be allowed. 5% of each grant was held back until a grant accomplishment report has been completed by the grantee. Grant Process A Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on the CPL website in early August, 2010. The RFP contains grant program information, application criteria, application requirements, state agency contacts and grant reporting requirements. The RFP, Program Manual, and all grant agreements incorporate appropriate principles and criteria from the L-SOHC's 2010 Call for Funding Requests and associated legislation. Applications were accepted electronically for two grant rounds. Any ungranted funds from the first cycle were available for use in following cycles. Applications were submitted electronically using CPL's Online Grant Application System (OLGA). All project sites were mapped using OLGA's mapping tool. OLGA accepted applications beginning in August, 2010 until the deadline for the first round of grants in mid-September, 2010. The application system did not accept applications during the review process. OLGA was re-activated in December, 2010 mid-February, 2011 to accept applications for a second round of grants. CPL Grant Program Staff reviewed applications to make sure they were complete and met grant program requirements. Technical Review Committee(s), selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources reviewed and scored applications based on criteria established by the L-SOHC, MN State Legislature and DNR. These committees include representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other appropriate members from both government and non-profit organizations. A final ranking committee made up of the Chief Financial Officer, and Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry recommended projects and funding levels to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The Commissioner made the final decision on the projects funded and funding levels. Projects may be fully or partially funded. Every effort was made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location, activity, and funding level, with an objective of granting 50% of the funds to projects above $125,000, and 50% of the funds to projects below $125,000. CPL Grant Program staff work with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork are completed. Work may not begin until the grant is executed. Project Reviews and Reporting Project reviews are completed as required by Office of Grants Management Policy 08-10, Monitoring. Grantees report accomplishments on a CPL Report Form by September 1 of each year. Reports must account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report must include an evaluation of these results. A final report was required by all grantees 30 days after project completion. CPL Grant Program staff compile grantee reports and submit an annual accomplishment report to the L-SOHC by January 15 February 1 and October 15 August 1 of each year. This report contains information on the number of agreements made, amount of reimbursement paid to grantees, accomplishments by grantees, number and status of remaining open agreements, and administrative costs. Accomplishment information is also be posted on L-SOHC and DNR websites. Relationship to Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan and other published resource management plans. This program provides additional funds to enhance, restore, and protect habitat in Minnesota. All published resource management and species plans?including the Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan?recognize that habitat is critical for the success of Minnesota's fish and wildlife species. Lack of funding is consistently listed in many plans as one of the largest issues limiting the amount of habitat work and protection that is completed each year. In the Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan, habitat restoration and enhancement is specified in the following priorities: H1: Protect priority land habitats (pg 63) H2: Protect critical shorelands of streams and lakes (pg 67) H4: Restore and protect shallow lakes (pg 78) H5: Restore land, wetlands, and associated wetlands (pg 80) H7: Keep water on the landscape (pg 84) LU 8: Protect large blocks of forested land (pg 130) L10: Support and expand sustainable practices on working forested lands (pg 131) Other plans that list habitat restoration, enhancement and protection as priorities include: Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare (Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy), which identifies habitat loss and degradation as the primary problem facing species in greatest conservation need in Minnesota. The State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Strategies #1 and 2. The DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife has several key plans identifying acquisition and habitat goals for fish and wildlife populations. Habitat goals are also addressed through more focused plans and programs that can be found on the DNR's website. National plans include the North American Wetland Management Plan, various Joint Venture Plans, National Fish Habitat Initiative, and all the Bird Conservation Plans. Non-governmental conservation agencies such as Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and Audubon Minnesota have developed their own conservation plans that list habitat restoration, enhancement and protection as a priority. ","Accomplishment PlanBackground: Applicants applied for grants under this program to enhance, restore, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota.For projects that restore and/or enhance1. Projects will be only on lands under permanent protection of public fee ownership, or conservation easement as defined in MS 84C.01 or public ownership or in public waters as defined in MS 103G.005, subd. 15. Projects may be done on tribal lands under federal trust arrangements. 2. A conservation easement must be placed on any private land impacted before work may begin. Funding for the easement/deed restriction and associated costs may be paid for with in-kind match or grant funds.3. Proposed projects on public lands will be approved by and coordinated with public land managers. Projects proposed for lands under permanent conservation easement will be reviewed by the easement holder. Proof of review or approval must be submitted to grant staff before the application deadline. The private landowner must agree to the project as well.4. Grantees will be responsible for all administrative requirements such as Historic Property Review, Wetland Conservation Act, Stormwater Permits, DNR Waters Permits, and others as appropriate. Costs for any reviews or permits should be included in the grant application, either as in-kind match or requested from grant dollars. As specified in the grant agreement, grantees may, by letter, assign duties and associated funds back to DNR, with DNR consent.5. A Natural Heritage Review is required for each project site. This must be completed by the Land Manager or Easement Holder, or appropriate DNR staff, and submitted on the Land Manager Approval form. This form must be uploaded to the CPL Application System.6. The Commissioner of Natural Resources must approve all projects.7. All projects must meet requirements in the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and follow the principles and criteria outlined in the L-SOHC FY 2011 Call for Funding Request.For projects that protect1. Lands acquired in fee title will be open to the public for hunting and fishing during open seasons unless otherwise provided by law.2. All easements must be permanent. Easements must include stewardship provisions to perpetually monitor and enforce the conditions of the easements.3. Projects to acquire land in fee simple title or a permanent conservation easement must be associated with established land acquisition programs that use explicit criteria for evaluating a parcel’s habitat potential.4. Grantees must agree to abide by all L-SOHC requirements for long-term management of any lands acquired with Outdoor Heritage Funds (OHF).5. For fee acquisition, the final title holder and land manager must be specified. Lands that will be conveyed to a public agency must be donated.6. Some State programs have specific statutory guidelines for determining the value of easements acquired under that program. If the easement will become part of that State program and the easement will be held by the State, any entity acquiring the easement may use that program’s statutory method for the easement valuation. 7. All acquisition selection processes and related transactions costs for all parties involved in the acquisition must be reported to the L-SOHC, 8. A Notice of Funding Restriction must be recorded for each acquisition.9. An analysis of future operations and maintenance costs for any acquired lands must be provided to the L-SOHC, commissioner of finance, and appropriate public agency.10. The grantee must submit an annual report on the status of property acquired with grant funds to the L-SOHC by December 1 of each year. 11. Grantees acquiring land that will be conveyed to DNR will be required to follow DNR’s Land Acquisition Procedures for Lands to be Conveyed to DNR. 12. Grantees acquiring land that will NOT be conveyed to DNR will be required to follow DNR’s Land Acquisition Procedures for Lands NOT to be Conveyed to DNR.13. A Natural Heritage Review is required for each project site. This must be completed by the Land Manager or Easement Holder, or appropriate DNR staff and submitted on the Land Manager Approval form. This form must be, uploaded to the CPL Application System.14. All projects must meet requirements in the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and follow the principles and criteria outlined in the L-SOHC FY 2011 Call for FundingGeneral Program RequirementsFunds for this program were available until June 30, 2014. All grant projects met requirements of the 2010 MN Session Law, Chapter 361, and the L-SOHC’s 2010 Call for Funding Requests. In addition, projects addressed the priorities in the Minnesota Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare. Capital expenditures and indirect costs were not allowed. In administering this program the DNR complied with the Department of Administration - Office of Grants Management policies.Grantee MatchA match of at least 10% from nonstate sources was required for grants of $100,000 or less, and a match of at least 15% from nonstate sources was required for grants over $100,000. Up to one-third of the match may be in-kind resources. All match must be identified at the time of application.Grantee PaymentGrantees were paid on a reimbursement basis unless other arrangements were specified and approved in a grantee’s application and work program. Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash flow needs, to match federal share, or for acquisitions. Advances must be specified in the grantee’s application and final grant agreement or work program. Partial payments were allowed. 5% of each grant was held back until a grant accomplishment report had been completed by the grantee.Grant ProcessA Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on the CPL website in early August, 2010. The RFP contained grant program information, application criteria, application requirements, state agency contacts and grant reporting requirements. The RFP, Program Manual, and all grant agreements incorporated appropriate principles and criteria from the L-SOHC’s 2010 Call for Funding Requests and associated legislation.Applications were accepted electronically, with grants selected for funding twice a year. Any ungranted funds from the first cycle were available for use in a following cycle.Applications were submitted electronically using CPL’s Online Grant Application System (OLGA). All project sites were mapped using OLGA’s mapping tool. OLGA accepted applications beginning in August, 2010 until the deadline for the first round of grants in mid-September, 2010. The application system did not accept applications during the review process. OLGA was re-activated in mid-February, 2011 to accept applications for a second round of grants.CPL Grant Program Staff reviewed applications to make sure they were complete and met grant program requirements. Technical Review Committee(s), selected by the Commissioner of Natural Resources reviewed and scored applications based on criteria established by the L-SOHC, MN State Legislature and DNR. These committees included representatives from DNR, BWSR, the University of MN, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other appropriate members from both government and non-profit organizations. A final ranking committee made up of the Chief Financial Officer, and Directors of the DNR Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Ecological Resources/Waters, and Forestry recommended projects and funding levels to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. The Commissioner made the final decision on the projects funded and funding levels.Every effort was made to evenly distribute the selected grants by geographic location, activity, and funding level, with an objective of granting 50% of the funds to projects above $125,000, and 50% of the funds to projects below $125,000.CPL Grant Program staff work with grantees to ensure financial reviews, grant agreements, and any other necessary paperwork are completed. Work could not begin until the grant was executed.Project Reviews and ReportingProject reviews were completed as required by Office of Grants Management Policy 08-10, Grant Monitoring.Grantees reported accomplishments on a CPL Report Form by September 1 of each year. Reports account for the use of grant and match funds, and outcomes in measures of wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat restored, enhanced, and protected. The report included an evaluation of these results. A final report was required by all grantees 30 days after the project was complete.CPL Grant Program staff compiled grantee reports and submitted an annual accomplishment report to the L-SOHC by February 1 and August 1 of each year. This report contained information on the number of agreements made, amount of reimbursement paid to grantees, accomplishments by grantees, number and status of remaining open agreements, and administrative costs. Accomplishment information was also posted on L-SOHC and DNR websites.",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Jessica,Lee,DNR,"500 Lafayette Road, Box #20 ","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5233",jessica.lee@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Carver, Clay, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Freeborn, Grant, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Nicollet, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Swift","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/outdoor-heritage-conservation-partners-grant-program-fy-2011,,,,
10031447,"Pollinator Central IV: Habitat Improvement with Public Engagement",2025,698000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 08e","$698,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Great River Greening to partner with municipalities, educational organizations, and volunteers to create and enhance pollinator habitat along public corridors from Lakeville to St. Cloud and to engage youth and the public through education and monitoring the impact of habitat improvements. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,4.11,"Great River Greening","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Continuing pollinator habitat creation and enhancement on 11 sites from Lakeville to St. Cloud, with public engagement and education centered on youth, schools, and community awareness of natural resource stewardship.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-12-31,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Rebecca,Tucker,"Great River Greening","251 Starkey Street Suite 2200","Saint Paul",MN,55113,"(651) 272-3982",rtucker@greatrivergreening.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pope, Renville, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, Wright",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/pollinator-central-iv-habitat-improvement-public-engagement,,,,
10004546,"Prairie Butterfly Conservation, Research, and Breeding - Phase II",2017,329000,"M.L. 2016, Chp. 186, Sec. 2, Subd. 03c2","$750,000 the second year is from the trust fund. Of this amount, $421,000 is to the Minnesota Zoological Garden and $329,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources in collaboration with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to continue efforts to prevent the extinction of imperiled native Minnesota butterfly species through breeding, research, field surveys, and potential reintroduction. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,,,,,"MN DNR","State Government",,,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2016/work_plans_may/_2016_03c2.pdf,2016-07-01,2019-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Robert,Dana,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd, Box 32","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5086",robert.dana@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Roseau, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Waseca, Watonwan, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-butterfly-conservation-research-and-breeding-phase-ii,,,,
10019629,"MN Prairie Recovery Program Phase 11",2022,2794000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, 2(c )","$2,794,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance native prairie, grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year closes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Land acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network",,,230000,"TNC private funds",2679200,114800,,5.91,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The project will advance the protection, restoration and enhancement goals for prairie and grassland habitat as described in the 2018 update of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the highly successful model established in prior Prairie Recovery Phases and seeks to protect approximately 600 acres in fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance approximately 10,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore roughly 200 acres of prairie and wetland habitat.","Protect - An estimated 600 acres of prairie, wetlands, grasslands, and savanna will be permanently protected through fee-title acquisition from willing sellers in 5 prairie core/corridor landscapes as identified in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Acquired lands will be prioritized using prior approved criteria that include: percentage of native prairie on the parcel, proximity to other permanently protected areas, quality of habitat and species diversity, and suitability for public recreation. Protected acres without PILT will be held by The Nature Conservancy subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions. Enhance - An estimated 10,000 acres of grassland/wetland complex will be enhanced on permanently protected lands, including lands purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy, MN DNR Management Units, US Fish and Wildlife Service lands, and private lands subject to perpetual conservation easements. The primary objectives of the enhancement activities will be to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. A variety of practices and techniques will be implemented to accomplish the objectives such as: prescribed fire; removal of trees and woody species; invasive species control including mechanical, biological, and chemical control; over-seeding degraded grasslands with native seed; and conservation grazing, mowing, or haying. The work will be conducted primarily through contracts with local vendors, Conservation Corps of Minnesota or Student Conservation Association crews and by using Nature Conservancy seasonal and permanent staff. Prairie Recovery Biologists, stationed in four landscapes within the Prairie region are responsible for identifying and prioritizing projects in cooperation with agency partners; selecting and overseeing contracted work; and leading and directing seasonal staff. The Biologists are also responsible for participating in and leading Prairie Plan Local Technical Team efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery by multiple partners at the landscape scale. Restore - Approximately 200 acres of cropland will be restored to diverse local-ecotype grassland and grassland/wetland complexes. Practices to be implemented include those listed as enhancements above and the restoration of original wetland hydrology. Results to date - Through previous Phases of the Prairie Recovery Program we have protected 7,553 acres of prairies, wetlands, and grasslands, enhanced more than 140,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands and restored approximately 1,500 acres with locally-sourced native seed. All parcels protected were directly adjacent to, or contributed to, the functional integrity of existing habitat complexes. Average per acre cost for acquired properties has averaged around $2,000 per acre. Our enhancement projects have focused on accelerating the implementation of prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, building the infrastructure for conservation grazing systems and treatment of invasive species. Costs for enhancement and restoration work vary depending on the practices being implemented but have averaged around $100 per acre.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-program-phase-11,,,,
10017815,"MN Prairie Recovery Program Phase 10",2021,3365000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(c )","$3,365,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance native prairies, grasslands, wetlands, and savannas. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. No later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancys fiscal year ends, The Nature Conservancy must submit to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network",,,539200,TNC,3182500,182500,,13.57,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The project will advance the protection, restoration and enhancement goals for prairie and grassland habitat that are articulated in the 2018 update of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the highly successful model established in Phases 1 - 9 and seeks to protect 300 acres in fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance 14,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 50 acres of prairie and wetland habitat.","Protect - An estimated 300 acres of prairie, wetlands, grasslands, and savanna will be permanently protected through fee-title acquisition from willing sellers in 5 potential prairie core/corridor landscapes as identified in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Acquired lands will be prioritized using prior approved criteria that include: percentage of native prairie on the parcel, proximity to other permanently protected areas, quality of habitat and species diversity, and suitability for public recreation. These protected acres will be held by The Nature Conservancy subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions. Enhance - An estimated 14,000 acres of grassland/wetland complex will be enhanced on permanently protected lands, including lands purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy, MN DNR Management Units, US Fish and Wildlife Service lands, and private lands subject to perpetual conservation easements. The primary objectives of our enhancement activities will be to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. A variety of practices and techniques will be implemented to accomplish our objectives such as: prescribed fire; removal of trees and woody species; invasive species control including mechanical, biological, and chemical control; over-seeding degraded grasslands with native seed; and conservation grazing, mowing, or haying. The work will be conducted primarily through contracts with local vendors, Conservation Corps of Minnesota or Student Conservation Association crews and by using Nature Conservancy seasonal and permanent staff. Prairie Recovery Biologists, stationed in four landscapes within the Prairie region are responsible for identifying and prioritizing projects in cooperation with agency partners; selecting and overseeing contracted work; and leading and directing seasonal staff. The Biologists are also responsible for participating in and leading Prairie Plan Local Technical Team efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery by multiple partners at the landscape scale. Restore - Approximately 50 acres of cropland will be restored to diverse local-ecotype grassland and grassland/wetland complexes.Practices to be implemented include those listed as enhancements above and the restoration of original wetland hydrology. Results to date - Through Phases 1-9 we have protected 7,250 acres of prairies, wetlands, and grasslands and have enhanced more than 127,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands. The protected acres span our priority geographies. In all cases parcels were purchased that were directly adjacent to, or contributed to, the functional integrity of existing habitat complexes. Average per acre cost for acquired properties has averaged around $1,820 per acre. Our enhancement projects have focused on accelerating the implementation of prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, building the infrastructure for conservation grazing systems and treatment of invasive species. Costs for enhancement and restoration work vary depending on the practices being implemented but have averaged around $81 per acre.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Traverse, Traverse","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-program-phase-10,,,,
20687,"MN Prairie Recovery Project Phase 4",2014,5310000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(d)","$5,310,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie, wetland, and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancys fiscal year. ",,"Improved aquatic habitat indicators. Wetland and upland complexes will consist of native prairies, restored prairies, quality grasslands, and restored shallow lakes and wetlands. Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas. Water is kept on the land. Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. Increased availability and improved condition of riparian forests and other habitat corridors. Core areas protected with highly biologically diverse wetlands and plant communities, including native prairie, Big Woods, and oak savanna. Expiring CRP lands are permanently protected. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are permanently protected and are part of large complexes of restored prairie, grasslands, and large and small wetlands. Improved condition of habitat on public lands. Water is kept on the land. Increased participation of private landowners in habitat projects. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need. ",,1119900,"TNC ",5310000,574200,,8.95,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase Four of the MN Prairie Recovery Program resulted in a total of 1,707 acres protected, 37,567 acres enhanced, and 440 acres restored. When combined with Phases 1-3 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 5,777 acres, enhanced 95,701 acres and restored 754 acres using Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"1. Scope of work: With the requested funding, and with other funds leveraged by this money and brought by other partners, the following actions and outcomes were acheived. Phase 4 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-3 by continuing and expanding enhancement work in 4 focal areas and protection in 5 areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 1,707 acres of existing and restorable grassland, prairie pothole wetland complex, and savanna were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. 440 acres of cropland and former foodplots were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Contracting preference was given to local producers and contractors for provision of seed and establishment of prairies to promote creation of local conservation-oriented businesses. 37,567 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (“protected conservation lands”) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (75 projects totalling 27,997 acres), removal of woody vegetation (95 projects for 3,725 acres), control of exotic species (84 projects - 5,821 acres), and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands (4 projects - 24 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation grazing/haying practices; supervised management of lands acquired above; planned and conducted prescribed burns; and other activities related to prairie conservation in the focus areas.  Contracts were let to provide a high level of enhancement activities to new and existing protected conservation lands, greatly expanding current capacity. These activities greatly improved the habitat value of public lands that were not receiving adequate management treatment, while simultaneously providing local jobs through CCM and businesses. Activities included removal of undesirable woody vegetation, identification and treatment of invasive species infestations, removal of abandoned fences and/or other structures, and related restoration/enhancement activities. To ensure goals and outcomes are consistently achieved across all 4 project areas, the project coordinator oversaw implementation of the above activities and provided administrative support for budget monitoring and reporting. Significant marketing and media outreach was conducted by the Conservancy to highlight the goals and accomplishments of the project to local and statewide constituents, as well as elected officials. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/minnesota/policy/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project.xml Temporary seasonal crews were employed by the Conservancy to provide additional capacity for public land management during critical periods like spring burn season. These crews helped create flexibility for enhancement projects and maximized the ability of specialized skilled personnel like burn bosses to increase the number of acres annually enhanced. 2. How priorities were set: Prioritization and prioritization criteria vary with the conservation tactic being employed (i.e., protection, restoration, enhancement). Focus areas were selected where there was overlap with MN County Biological Survey prairie “focus areas” and TNC portfolio areas. Each of the 4 project geographies directly correlate to core areas identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Because this project is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, tactical priorities and criteria were established at both the state and local level by respective coordinating groups. criteria for each of these tactics include: a. Protection: location/proximity to other habitats, location/proximity to other protected lands, presence of rare/endangered species, imminence of conversion, ability to support grazing, size, cost, and likelihood for leveraged funding. A more robust listing of selection criteria can be provided upon request. b. Restoration: feasibility/likelihood of success, location, cost, availability of seed, and availability of restoration technical assistance, proximity to other habitats, and their ability to buffer or increase the conservation value of other protected lands. c. Enhancement: urgency/time since last enhancement, feasibility of success, accessibility, availability of enhancement technical assistance, cost, proximity to other habitats and partnership benefits. 3. Urgency and opportunity of this proposal: Only about 1% of Minnesota’s original native prairie still remains (about 235,000 acres of an original 1.8 million), and the remnants are still being destroyed and degraded. Less than half of those 235,000 acres are currently protected from conversion, and management capacity is unable to address needs on protected lands. Additionally, more than 90% of the original prairie pothole wetlands in the western part of the state have also been lost. These losses threaten the viability of Minnesota’s prairie/wetland wildlife and recreational opportunities that depend upon them. Further, huge strides that have been made in supplementing habitat with the Conservation Reserve Program are in imminent danger of being lost as contracts expire. Conservationists have a narrow window of opportunity to protect remaining native grasslands, wetlands and other habitats, restore and protect supplemental grasslands and wetlands, and accelerate enhancement efforts to ensure these habitats are providing optimal value to animals and people.  4. Stakeholder involvement: This Phase continues an initiative begun with OHF funding in 2010. We have worked very closely with conservation interests in developing and maintaining this initiative and will continue close collaboration among partners. Via past and ongoing projects, we are also coordinating with other stakeholders (e.g., cattlemen’s associations, Land Stewardship Project, county boards), and will continue to seek opportunities to expand that coordination.  Planning This project implements strategies identified in at least 6 plans, as identified below. 1. The 2010 MN Prairie Conservation Plan (Plan) identifies three distinct strategies and opportunities for targeting protection, restoration, and enhancement of Minnesota’s prairie and grassland systems. The plan recommends work in “Core Areas” defined as large landscapes that retain some features of functioning prairie systems. Using MN County Biological Survey data and USFWS Habitat Assessment, Populations and Evaluation Team (HAPET) 2. MN Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan. The strategic framework of this plan has 5 elements in its “Habitat” section: integrated planning, critical land protection, land and water restoration and protection, (identification of) sustainable practices, and (provision of) economic incentives for sustainable practices. Further, while the plan does not go into great detail with respect to prairie conservation, it clearly states that “protection of priority land habitats” is a vital practice, and prairies clearly fall here.  The Plan identifies 36 distinct prairie core areas across the western third of the state. Collectively these core landscapes contain 71% of the state’s remaining native prairie. All 4 of the project focus areas directly correlate with one or more of these core areas. 3. Tomorrow’s Habitat for the Wild and Rare. The primary objective identified in the MN DNR’s plan is to “stabilize and increase populations of “species in greatest conservation need (SGCN)”. In the prairie regions of Minnesota, strategies to achieve this goal include: a. Support incentives that avoid conversion of grasslands into row crops where SGCN occur. b. Use mowing, cutting woody vegetation, prescribed fire, or careful use of herbicides to prevent the invasion of grasslands by trees and shrubs. c. Lengthen the cutting rotations for hay; avoid early-season mowing. d. Use light to moderate, rotational grazing programs to benefit SGCN e. Prevent fragmentation of grassland habitat. f. Avoid soil compaction in areas occupied by mammal SGCN. g. Increase native plant species components. h. Control spread of invasive species to adjacent native-dominated sites. This project proposes to address all but item “f” above. 4. The Nature Conservancy’s Northern Tallgrass Prairie Ecoregional Plan (1998). This plan identifies key conservation targets, geographic emphasis areas, threats to native plant and animal communities, and key strategies to mitigate these threats. The proposal is a solid step in the implementation of this plan. Also, as a step-down from the NTP Ecoregion Plan, the Chapter has completed local level planning (Conservation Action Planning) for smaller geographic units that correspond with the focus areas. Goals within these focus areas are very explicit in identifying conservation targets and actions and are consistent with the activities contained in this proposal. 5. DNR’s Pheasant Plan. This proposal is in full support of the Pheasant Plan goal to add 1.5 million acres of undisturbed grassland to the state by 2025. 6. DNR’s Waterfowl Plan. This proposal is in full support of the state Long-range Duck Recovery Plan to add 2 million acres of habitat to the state by 2025. It also utilizes establishment of complexes, as per the plan, to achieve multiple conservation synergies and benefits. This plan helps fulfill multiple priorities specified by the LSOHC “Prairie Section Vision”, including permanent protection of existing prairies and wetlands, restoration of prairie and wetland habitats, building grassland/wetland complexes in blocks sufficient to increase migratory breeding bird success, enhancement of public lands for game species and other species of conservation need, and protection of watersheds of shallow lakes. Specifically, this proposal addresses “Prairie Section Strategies” 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 directly. ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Marshall, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-4,,,,
771,"Prairie Heritage Fund - Acquisition and Restoration, Phase 1",2010,3000000,"ML 2009, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever or successor to acquire and restore land to be added to the state wildlife management area system. A list of proposed fee title acquisitions and a list of proposed restoration projects, describing the types and locations of restorations, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree to each proposed acquisition. To he extent possible, prairie restorations conducted with money appropriated in this section must plant vegetation or sow seed only of ecotypes native to Minnesota, and preferably of the local ecotype, using a high diversity of species originating from as close to the restoration site as possible, and protect existing native prairies from genetic contamination.",,"1,117 acres",,725000,Non-State,3000000,,,,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will acquire 1,100 acres of state wildlife management areas (WMA) or federal waterfowl production areas (WPA) to enhance grassland and prairie habitat and provide public recreation opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota. In addition, PF restore an additional 1,500 acres of grassland habitat on permanently protected lands (WPA's or WMA's).","Working with 76 local chapters and 26,000 members across the state of Minnesota, PF will acquire 1,100 acres of public land (WMA's or WPA's) to enhance grassland and prairie habitat and provide public recreations opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota. All projects are additions to existing WMA's or WPA's or have a direct connection to resources in the public trust (e.g. designated wildlife lakeshore). Purchase will be from willing sellers. Priority will be placed on remnant native prairie and tracts that provide significant grassland habitat protection and restoration. PF has currently identified 19 active projects consisting of 2,300 acres in eleven counties. ? Less than 1% of Minnesota's native prairie remains, and grassland habitat losses are cited as the primary reason for population declines of breeding waterfowl, grassland birds, and other wildlife species. In this proposal, PF (with many partners assisting & in cooperation with the long-term stewards of the land - either DNR or USFWS) will acquire and permanently protect 1,100 acres of grasslands. In addition, PF will restore 1,500 acres of grassland habitat (much of this will be initial restoration on the acreage acquired within this proposal). All projects are building upon past investments in public or private land habitat conservation and seek to build functional habitat complexes for Minnesota's suite of grassland wildlife. Most of the work will involve restoring marginal croplands to grasslands with at least 15 species of grasses and forbs chosen to fit individual sites. Restoration activities include but are not limited to site preparation, herbicide application, seed purchase, planting, clipping. Wetland restoration is also considered part of our prairie system and will be considered under this proposal. ? Pheasants Forever will work with guidance provided by L-SOHC to properly expend & acquire grassland habitats.","Accomplishment Plan: http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2010/accomp_plan/2c.pdfWorking with numerous partners throughout the state of Minnesota, Pheasants Forever acquired 1,051 acres of land from willing sellers throughout Southern Minnesota. These lands have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) System and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In addition, these newly acquired WMAs will provide public access and recreational opportunities for ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage.More specifically, a total of 5 parcels were acquired within Brown, Goodhue, Lyon, Pipestone, and Watonwan Counties. A total of 7 landowners were presented with offers and PF was successful in securing 5 of those parcels (71% success rate). Offers to landowners were based on appraised values and seemed to be competitive with the market at the time. Most projects were closed early in the project period, and therefore the agricultural land boom of 2012 seemed to have little affect on our ability to secure parcels. Parcels were identified in conjunction with DNR wildlife professionals and based on criteria in addition to minimum WMA standards that included: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of significant natural communities, future expansion potential, and multiple benefit analysis.In total, $2,969,300 of Outdoor Heritage Funds were matched with $862,500 of non-state funding to complete this work. Striving to build upon past investments in wildlife habitat conservation and landscape level habitat complexes that protect and sustain wildlife populations, 4 of the 5 parcels are additions to existing WMAs or are adjacent to existing permanently protected lands. All parcels acquired have been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. 15 acres of native prairie have been protected and all parcels have been opened for public use. In addition, 66 acres of grassland enhancements were completed on an existing WMA in Chippewa County. These restored and permanently protected acres will provide critical habitat for breeding/migrating waterfowl as reproductive and winter habitat for grassland game and non game species.",2009-07-01,2012-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Joe,Pavelko,"Pheasants Forever","7975 Acorn Circle ",Victoria,None,55386,6125323800,jpavelko@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Brown, Chippewa, Freeborn, Goodhue, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mower, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Stevens","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-heritage-fund-acquisition-and-restoration,,,,
786,"Prairie Heritage Fund - Acquisition and Restoration, Phase 2",2011,3015000,"ML 2010, Ch. 361, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$3,015,000 in fiscal year 2011 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire and restore land to be added to the state wildlife management area system. A list of proposed fee title acquisitions and a list of proposed restoration projects, describing the types and locations of restorations, must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. The commissioner of natural resources must agree in writing to each proposed acquisition. All restorations must comply with subdivision 9, paragraph(b).",,"1020 acres",,525000,non-state,3015000,,,,"Pheasants Forever","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will protect 900 acres of priority prairie grassland, wetland habitat, and native remnant prairie (if available) as state wildlife management areas (WMA). In addition, acquired lands will be restored and/or enhanced to prairie and/or wetland habitat. Once complete, these WMAs will provide quality grassland/wetland habitat complexes that will benefit a myriad of game and non-game species and will provide public recreational opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota. ","The threats to wildlife habitat in the farmland regions of Minnesota are constant and increasing. Development pressures from urbanization, industry (e.g. wind, gravel) and agriculture put our existing habitats in constant jeopardy. Minnesota is also losing significant acreage of grassland habitat (approximately 70,000 acres last year) in the farmland region of Minnesota due to expiring CRP contracts. Now it is even more urgent to provide the vital permanent, high quality habitat complexes on a landscape level to protect and maintain wildlife populations. In addition, providing a place for Minnesotans to hunt, trap, fish and otherwise recreate in the outdoors are urgent needs, and needs we can deliver right now. To help slow and reverse the loss of habitat and declining wildlife populations, Pheasants Forever and our partners will protect (fee acquisition from willing sellers) 900 acres of high priority grassland, wetland habitat, and native remnant prairie (if available) as state wildlife management areas (WMA). Striving to build landscape level habitat complexes that will protect and sustain wildlife populations, 17 of the 20 potential projects are additions to existing WMA's and all projects have been developed in consultation with the local DNR managers. DNR Commissioner approval will be received for any project funded under this proposal.? All acquired lands will be restored and/or enhanced. Acquired croplands will be restored to diverse grasslands and wetlands to the fullest extent. Enhancement to existing prairie grasslands and wetlands will also occur as determined by the DNR Manager and PF Biologists. Enhancements could include undesirable woody vegetation removal, water control structure installation, inter-seeding within grasslands to increase diversity and structure, managed grazing, invasive species control, or any other activity that improves the diversity and health of the prairie-wetland habitat complex. We will use as diverse of a seed mixture as reasonable for the site to achieve diversity and quality functional habitat using plants native to Minnesota. Pheasants Forever's network of 76 Minnesota chapters and 24,000 members have been actively involved in protecting and restoring lands in partnership with the Minnesota DNR for 27 years. Wildlife Management Areas have proven to be an invaluable tool in protecting and sustaining habitat and the myriad of species that call them home. WMA's provide many recreational opportunities and are enjoyed by thousands of Minnesotans every year. ","Accomplishment PlanWorking with numerous partners throughout the state of Minnesota, Pheasants Forever acquired 1,020.7 acres of land from willing sellers within the project area of Minnesota. These lands have been enrolled into the state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) System and will be protected and managed in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In addition, these newly acquired WMAs will provide public access and recreational opportunities for ALL Minnesotans, so fundamentally important to our outdoor heritage.More specifically, a total of 9 parcels were acquired within Mower, Dakota, McLeod, Pope, Wright, Pipestone, Kandiyohi and Todd Counties. A total of 10 landowners were presented with offers and PF was successful in securing 9 of those parcels (90% success rate). Offers to landowners were based on appraised values and seemed to be competitive with the market at the time. Most projects were closed early enough in the project period, and therefore the agricultural land boom of 2012 seemed to have little affect on our ability to secure parcels. Parcels were identified in conjunction with DNR wildlife professionals and based on criteria in addition to minimum WMA standards that included: habitat restoration potential, landscape scale significance, presence of significant natural communities, future expansion potential, and multiple benefit analysis.In total, $3,014,821.38 of Outdoor Heritage Funds were matched with $501,571.03 of non-state funding to complete this work. We are slightly short of our match goal on this appropriation ($23,428.97). However, when looking at all of our WMA acceleration appropriations, we currently are exceeding our match goals by over $425,000 and expect that number to grow.Striving to build upon past investments in wildlife habitat conservation and landscape level habitat complexes that protect and sustain wildlife populations, 6 of the 9 parcels are additions to existing WMAs or are adjacent to existing permanently protected lands. All parcels acquired have been restored and/or enhanced to as a high quality as practicable. All agricultural row crops on these parcels have been restored to native grassland/wetland complexes. The grasslands were restored using a broadcast or drill seeded method with a diverse mix of native grasses and forb species. Wetlands were restored using a combination of tile breaking, sediment removal, dike construction, and water control structures. 45 acres of native prairie have been protected, and all parcels have been opened for public use.",2010-07-01,2015-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",None,,,Joe,Pavelko,"Pheasants Forever","7975 Acorn Circle ",Victoria,None,55386,6125323800,jpavelko@pheasantsforever.org,"Land Acquisition, Restoration/Enhancement","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Benton, Chippewa, Dakota, Goodhue, Lincoln, McLeod, Meeker, Mower, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Stearns, Todd, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-heritage-fund-acquisition-and-restoration-0,,,,
23936,"Prairie Recovery Project Phase V",2015,3940000,"ML 2014, Ch.256, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$3,940,000 in the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie, wetlands, and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands acquired with this appropriation may not be used for emergency haying and grazing in response to federal or state disaster declarations. Conservation grazing under a management plan that is already being implemented may continue. Subject to the evaluation criteria under Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancys fiscal year. ",,"Restored 698 acres, protected (in fee without state PILT liability) 698 acres, enhanced 18,839 acres for a total of 20,235 acres   ",,467400,"TNC ",3714600,159200,,6.80,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project contributed to the goals of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan by protecting 698 acres of native prairie/wetland/savanna; restoring 698 acres prairie/wetland; and enhancing 18,839 acres grassland/savanna. When combined with Phases 1-4 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 6,475 acres, enhanced 114,595 acres and restored 1,452 acres using Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"Scope of work:With the requested funding the following actions and outcomes were achieved: Phase 5 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-4 by continuing and expanding enhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 698 acres of existing and restorable grassland, prairie pothole wetland complex, and savanna were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. Coincidentally, exactly 698 acres of cropland and former foodplots were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensive effort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs of native pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection. 18,839 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (“protected conservation lands”) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (50 projects impacting 11,730 acres), removal of woody vegetation (40 projects for 3,048 acres), control of exotic species (70 projects - 3,930 acres), and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands (13 projects - 131 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation grazing/haying practices; supervised management of lands acquired above; planned and conducted prescribed burns; and other activities related to prairie conservation in the focus areas.  Contracts were let to provide a high level of enhancement activities to new and existing protected conservation lands, greatly expanding current capacity. These activities improved the habitat value of public lands that were not receiving adequate management treatment, while simultaneously providing local jobs through CCM and businesses. Activities included removal of undesirable woody vegetation, identification and treatment of invasive species infestations, removal of abandoned fences and/or other structures, and related restoration/enhancement activities. To ensure goals and outcomes are consistently achieved across all 4 project areas, a project coordinator oversaw implementation of the above activities and provided administrative support for budget monitoring and reporting. Significant marketing and media outreach was conducted by the Conservancy to highlight the goals and accomplishments of the project to local and statewide constituents, as well as elected officials. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/minnesota/policy/minnesota-prairie-recovery-project.xml Temporary seasonal crews were employed by the Conservancy to provide additional capacity for public land management during critical periods like spring burn season. These crews helped create flexibility for enhancement projects and maximized the ability of specialized skilled personnel like burn bosses to increase the number of acres annually enhanced. 2. How priorities were set: Prioritization and prioritization criteria vary with the conservation tactic being employed (i.e., protection, restoration, enhancement). Focus areas were selected where there was overlap with MN County Biological Survey prairie “focus areas” and TNC portfolio areas. Each of the 4 project geographies directly correlate to core areas identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Because this project is a collaborative effort involving multiple partners, tactical priorities and criteria were established at both the state and local level by respective coordinating groups. criteria for each of these tactics include: a. Protection: location/proximity to other habitats, location/proximity to other protected lands, presence of rare/endangered species, imminence of conversion, ability to support grazing, size, cost, and likelihood for leveraged funding. A more robust listing of selection criteria can be provided upon request. b. Restoration: feasibility/likelihood of success, location, cost, availability of seed, and availability of restoration technical assistance, proximity to other habitats, and their ability to buffer or increase the conservation value of other protected lands. c. Enhancement: urgency/time since last enhancement, feasibility of success, accessibility, availability of enhancement technical assistance, cost, proximity to other habitats and partnership benefits. ",2014-07-01,2020-01-21,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/prairie-recovery-project-phase-v,,,,
10033908,"MN Prairie Recovery Program Phase 13",2024,3856000,"ML 2023, Ch. 40, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(a)","$3,856,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance native prairie, grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. Subject to the evaluation criteria inMinnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days after the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year. A list of proposed land acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network",,,200000,"TNC Private funds",3667300,188700,,13.52,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The project will advance the protection, restoration and enhancement goals for prairie, grassland and wetland habitats as described in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the highly successful model established via prior Prairie Recovery Phases and seeks to protect 400 acres in Fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance 18,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 100 acres of prairie and wetland habitat. Protection and restoration projects will contribute toward state climate goals by sequestering approximately 75,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent.","Protect - An estimated 400 acres of prairie, wetlands, grasslands, and savanna will be permanently protected through fee-title acquisition from willing sellers in priority prairie core/corridor landscapes as identified in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Acquired lands will be prioritized using LSOHC approved criteria that include: percentage of native prairie on the parcel, proximity to other permanently protected areas, quality of habitat and species diversity, and suitability for public recreation. Protected acres without PILT will be held by The Nature Conservancy subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions. Enhance - An estimated 18,000 acres of grassland/wetland complex will be enhanced on permanently protected lands, including lands purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy; MN DNR Management Units including Wildlife Management Areas, Scientific & Natural Areas, and Native Prairie Bank easements; federal Waterfowl Production Areas and grassland/wetland habitat easements. The primary objectives of these enhancement activities will be to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. A variety of practices and techniques will be implemented to accomplish the objectives such as: prescribed fire; removal of trees and woody species; invasive species control including mechanical, biological, and chemical control; over-seeding degraded grasslands with native seed; and conservation grazing, mowing, or haying. The work will be conducted primarily through contracts with local vendors, Conservation Corps of Minnesota or Student Conservation Association crews and by using Nature Conservancy seasonal and permanent staff. Prairie Recovery Biologists, stationed in four landscapes within the Prairie region are responsible for identifying and prioritizing projects in collaboration with agency land managers; selecting vendors and overseeing contracted work; and managing and directing seasonal staff. The Biologists are also responsible for participating in and leading Prairie Plan Local Technical Team efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of grassland conservation program delivery by multiple partners at the landscape scale. Restore - Approximately 100 acres of cropland will be restored to diverse local-ecotype grassland and grassland/wetland complexes. Practices to be implemented include those listed as enhancements above and the restoration of original wetland hydrology. Results to date - Through previous Phases of the Prairie Recovery Program we have protected 7,874 acres of prairies, wetlands, and grasslands, enhanced more than 165,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands and restored approximately 1,900 acres with locally-sourced native seed. All parcels protected directly contributed to the functional integrity of existing habitat complexes. Costs to acquire properties in fee-title have averaged around $2,500 per acre, though land prices have been escalating rapidly. Our enhancement projects have focused on accelerating the implementation of prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, building the infrastructure for conservation grazing systems and treatment of invasive species. Costs for enhancement and restoration work vary depending on the practices being implemented and have averaged around $125 per acre. Labor and supply costs have risen dramatically in the last 18 months. Collectively these projects have captured approximately 750,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent and will continue to hold that carbon in prairie soils.",,2023-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Travis,Issendorf,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,218-844-3405,tissendorf@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-program-phase-13,,,,
10011404,"MN Prairie Recovery Project Phase IX",2020,3058000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 2(c)","$3,058,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance native prairies, grasslands, wetlands, and savannas. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. No later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancys fiscal year ends, The Nature Conservancy must submit to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.",,"Temperate grasslands are the most endangered and least protected habitat type on earth, and Minnesota's prairies are no exception. Activities identified in this project directly reflect implementation strategies identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Properties targeted for acquisition were identified and prioritized using MN County Biological Survey Rare Element Occurrences and Biodiversity Significance. The geographies we worked within, in addition to being Prairie Plan Core areas, reflect areas with the highest density and highest quality remaining prairie systems left in the state. By focusing our work in these particular landscapes we increased the functionality of the overall prairie/grassland systems, including increased water retention, improved breeding and nesting habitat and augmented migratory corridors. While our work focused on increasing and maintaining system functionality a number of individual species and suites of SPGCN directly benefited from this project including: Insects - habitat management and protection specifically for the federally-threatened Dakota skipper butterfly, potential restoration of habitat for the endangered Poweshiek skipperling and the declining Regal fritillary butterflies. Mammals - American badger (an indicator species requiring intact blocks of quality habitat), elk (for herd management in NW MN) Reptiles - hognose snake (primarily in western MN counties of Lac qui Parle, Big Stone, and Yellow Medicine), 5-lined skink (rock outcroppings in the upper MN River Valley) Birds - Grassland dependent birds have experienced precipitous population decline across Minnesota and the norther Great Plains, largely due to habitat loss on the breeding grounds. This project will provide permanently protected and enhanced habitat for a suite of grassland and wetland nesting birds, most notably the Meadowlark, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Grasshopper sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, Upland sandpiper, Black tern, Northern pintail, Greater Prairie-chicken, Sharp-tail grouse, and many others.","A total of 16,937 acres were affected: 353 Restored, 207 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 16,377 in Enhance.",671300,TNC,2814700,243300,,10.73,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project contributed to the goals of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan by protecting 207 acres of native prairie/wetland/savanna; restoring 353 acres of prairie/wetland; and enhancing 16,377 acres of grassland/savanna. When combined with Phases 1-8 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 7,941 acres, enhanced 171,191 acres and restored 2,389 acres using Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan.","Phase 9 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-8 by continuing and expanding enhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement, and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups, and local governments. 207 acres of existing and restorable grassland were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., MN DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. 353 acres of cropland and degraded grassland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensive effort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs of native pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection. 16,377 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (""protected conservation lands"") to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (50 projects impacting 10,142 acres), removal of woody vegetation (47 projects for 3,474 acres), control of invasive species (71 projects - 2,740 acres), and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands (3 projects - 21 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa (CCMI) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in MN DNR or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration, and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with MN DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation.",,2019-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Travis,Issendorf,"The Nature Conservancy / Detroit Lakes WMD","1732 North Tower Road ","Detroil Lakes",MN,56501,"(218 844-3405",tissendorf@tnc.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-ix,,,,
10000094,"MN Prairie Recovery Project - Phase VII",2018,1901000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(c )","$1,901,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land in fee for native prairie, wetland, and savanna and to restore and enhance grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. No later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancys fiscal year ends, The Nature Conservancy must submit to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"329 Prairie acres Restored.  450 Prairie acres Protected in Fee without State PILT Liability.  5,469 Prairie acres Enhanced.  A total of 6,248 acres Restored, Protected, and Enhanced. ",,229900,"TNC ",1778600,122400,,4.48,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project will advance the prairie protection, restoration and enhancement goals established in the 2011 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the successful model established in Phases 1 - 6 and seeks to protect 200 acres in fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, protect an additional 100 acres with PILT for inclusion in the State's Wildlife Management or Scientific Natural Area systems, enhance 7,500 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 100 acres of prairie habitat. ",,"Phase 7 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-6 by continuing and expandingenhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in PrairiePlan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement andrestoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model forconservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies,other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments.450 acres of existing and restorable grassland were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areasas defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recordednotice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to huntingand fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be,implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinatedwith other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), viainteractions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy tocover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases(grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes.329 acres of cropland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensiveeffort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs ofnative pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection.5,469 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held bythe Conservancy (“protected conservation lands”) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlifehabitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (9 projects impacting 858 acres), removal of woodyvegetation (40 projects for1,723 acres), control of invasive species (58 projects - 2,880 acres), and inter-seeding ofdegraded grasslands (6 projects - 169 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors throughcontracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employeddirectly by TNC.On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Serviceoffices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restorationand enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineateconservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protectedconservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases onappropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educatedlessees on appropriate conservation. ",2017-07-01,2021-08-10,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Marshall, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Stearns, Swift, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-vii,,,,
35023,"MN Prairie Recovery Project - Phase VI",2016,4032000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(c )","$4,032,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire native prairie, wetlands, and savanna and restore and enhance grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquisition of lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancys fiscal year. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"Temperate grasslands are the most endangered and least protected habitat type on earth, and Minnesota's prairies are no exception. Activities identified in this project directly reflect implementation strategies identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Properties targeted for acquisition were identified and prioritized using MN County Biological Survey Rare Element Occurrences and Biodiversity Significance. The geographies we worked within, in addition to being Prairie Plan Core areas, reflect areas with the highest density and highest quality remaining prairie systems left in the state. By focusing our work in these particular landscapes we increased the functionality of the overall prairie/grassland systems, including increased water retention, improved breeding and nesting habitat and augmented migratory corridors. While our work focused on increasing and maintaining system functionality a number of individual species and suites of SPGCN directly benefited from this project including: Insects - habitat management and protection specifically for the federally-threatened Dakota skipper butterfly, potential restoration of habitat for the endangered Poweshiek skipperling and the declining regal fritillary butterflies Mammals - American badger (an indicator species requiring intact blocks of quality habitat), elk (for herd management in NW MN) Reptiles - hognose snake (primarily in western MN counties of Lac qui Parle, Big Stone and Yellow Medicine), 5-lined skink (rock outcroppings in the upper MN River Valley) Birds - Grassland dependent birds have experienced precipitous population decline across Minnesota and the northern Great Plains, largely due to habitat loss on the breeding grounds. This project will provide permanently protected and enhanced habitat for a suite of grassland and wetland nesting birds, most notably the Meadowlark, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Grasshopper sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, Upland sandpiper, Black tern, Northern pintail, Greater Prairie-chicken, Sharp-tail grouse, and many others.","A total of 25,294 acres were affected: 151 Restored, 539 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 24,604 in Enhance.",221800,"TNC Private funds",3867800,158300,,6.90,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project contributed to the goals of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan by protecting 539 acres of prairie/wetland/savanna habitat; restoring 151 acres prairie/grassland; and enhancing 24,604 acres grassland/savanna. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. ","Phase 6 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-5 by continuing and expanding enhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 539 acres of existing and restorable grassland were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Most of the protected lands (499 acres) are, or are in the process of being transferred to the MN DNR for inclusion in the state's WMA system. The additional 40 acres are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. 151 acres of cropland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensive effort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs of native pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection. 24,604 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (protected conservation lands) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire, removal of woody vegetation, control of invasive species, and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands. Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation ",,2015-07-01,2023-01-11,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Roseau, Stearns, Swift","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-vi,,,,
10006496,"MN Prairie Recovery Project - Phase VIII",2019,2001000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 2(c )","$2,001,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire lands in fee and to restore and enhance native prairies, grasslands, wetlands, and savannas. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days after The Nature Conservancy?s fiscal year closes. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan, and the acquisitions must be consistent with the priorities identified in Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"Temperate grasslands are the most endangered and least protected habitat type on earth, and Minnesota's prairies are no exception. Activities identified in this project directly reflect implementation strategies identified in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Properties targeted for acquisition were identified and prioritized using MN County Biological Survey Rare Element Occurrences and Biodiversity Significance. The geographies we worked within, in addition to being Prairie Plan Core areas, reflect areas with the highest density and highest quality remaining prairie systems left in the state. By focusing our work in these particular landscapes we increased the functionality of the overall prairie/grassland systems, including increased water retention, improved breeding and nesting habitat and augmented migratory corridors. While our work focused on increasing and maintaining system functionality a number of individual species and suites of SPGCN directly benefited from this project including: Insects - habitat management and protection specifically for the federally-threatened Dakota skipper butterfly, potential restoration of habitat for the endangered Poweshiek skipperling and the declining regal fritillary butterflies Mammals - American badger (an indicator species requiring intact blocks of quality habitat), elk (for herd management in NW MN) Reptiles - hognose snake (primarily in western MN counties of Lac qui Parle, Big Stone and Yellow Medicine), 5-lined skink (rock outcroppings in the upper MN River Valley) Birds - Grassland dependent birds have experienced precipitous population decline across Minnesota and the northern Great Plains, largely due to habitat loss on the breeding grounds. This project will provide permanently protected and enhanced habitat for a suite of grassland and wetland nesting birds, most notably the Meadowlark, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Grasshopper sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, Upland sandpiper, Black tern, Northern pintail, Greater Prairie-chicken, Sharp-tail grouse, and many others.","A total of 10,431 acres were affected: 102 Restored, 284 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 10,045 in Enhance.",272600,TNC,1862900,138100,,2.405,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project contributed to the goals of the MN Prairie Conservation Plan by protecting 284 acres of native prairie/wetland/savanna; restoring 102 acres prairie/wetland; and enhancing 10,045 acres grassland/savanna. When combined with Phases 1-7 of the Prairie Recovery Program we have cumulatively protected 7,734 acres, enhanced 154,814 acres and restored 2,036 acres using Outdoor Heritage Fund dollars. We will continue to implement subsequent Phases toward meeting the conservation goals described in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan.","Phase 7 built upon the success of the MN Prairie Recovery Project Phases 1-6 by continuing and expanding enhancement and protection work in 4 focal areas. Project partners, primarily through our participation in Prairie Plan Local Technical teams, helped us to prioritize and refine guidelines for protection, enhancement and restoration activities within priority landscapes. The Prairie Recovery Program utilizes a collaborative model for conservation and we regularly consult and work with a variety of entities including state and federal agencies, other conservation nonprofits, agricultural producer groups and local governments. 284 acres of existing and restorable grassland were permanently protected within prairie core and corridor areas as defined in the MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Lands are held by The Nature Conservancy, subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions pursuant to LSOHC requirements. All lands acquired in fee are FULLY open to hunting and fishing per state of Minnesota regulations. Basic developments have been, and will continue to be, implemented (boundary signage, habitat improvement, wetland restoration). Protection efforts were coordinated with other partner protection programs (e.g., DNR Wildlife Management Area and Prairie Bank programs), via interactions through Local Technical Teams. An internal fund has been established by The Nature Conservancy to cover ongoing land-management costs and property tax obligations. Income generated by agricultural leases (grazing, haying, and/or cropping) are held in this account and help offset property taxes. 102 acres of cropland were restored to diverse, local-ecotype grassland or grassland/wetland complex. Extensive effort was made to collect seed from local sources that cover the full season (early spring through late fall) needs of native pollinators. Seed sourcing included both mechanical and hand collection. 10,045 acres of grassland complex were enhanced on public lands and those purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy (protected conservation lands) to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. Management techniques included prescribed fire (36 projects impacting 7,189 acres), removal of woody vegetation (25 projects for 893 acres), control of invasive species (33 projects - 1,905 acres), and inter-seeding of degraded grasslands (5 projects - 58 acres). Much of this work was accomplished by private vendors through contracts. We also extensively used Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM) crews and seasonal staff employed directly by TNC. On-the-ground Conservancy staff provided by this grant were co-located in DNR or US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and helped form and lead local coordination and implementation teams; identified protection, restoration and enhancement needs and opportunities within the focus areas; worked with DNR and USFWS staff to delineate conservation projects on public lands; coordinated deployment of contract and staff resources to protected conservation lands; contacted and worked with private landowners to coordinate agricultural activities/leases on appropriate protected conservation lands (e.g., haying, grazing, cropping in advance of restoration); educated lessees on appropriate conservation",,2018-07-01,2022-07-28,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Neal,Feeken,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,"(612) 331-0738",nfeeken@tnc.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Marshall, Polk, Pope, Stearns, Swift, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-project-phase-viii,,,,
10033397,"MN Prairie Recovery Program Phase 12",2023,4512000,"ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 2(d)","$4,512,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance native prairie, grasslands, wetlands, and savanna. Subject to evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days following the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year. A list of proposed land acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.","Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - Protection results will be measured against MN Prairie Conservation Plan goals for protected acres of native prairie and associated grassland for each geography. Enhancement results will be measured using protocols developed for the multi-agency Grassland Monitoring Network",,,300000,"TNC private funds",4309800,202200,,9.87,"The Nature Conservancy","Non-Profit Business/Entity","The project will advance the protection, restoration and enhancement goals for prairie, grassland and wetland habitats as described in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. It builds upon the highly successful model previously established in prior Prairie Recovery Phases and seeks to protect 500 acres in Fee without PILT obligations to be held by The Nature Conservancy, enhance 18,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands, and restore 200 acres of prairie and wetland habitat. Protection and restoration projects will contribute toward state climate goals by sequestering approximately 165,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent.","Protect - An estimated 500 acres of prairie, wetlands, grasslands, and savanna will be permanently protected through fee-title acquisition from willing sellers in priority prairie core/corridor landscapes as identified in the 2018 MN Prairie Conservation Plan. Acquired lands will be prioritized using LSOHC approved criteria that include: percentage of native prairie on the parcel, proximity to other permanently protected areas, quality of habitat and species diversity, and suitability for public recreation. Protected acres without PILT will be held by The Nature Conservancy subject to a recorded notice of funding restrictions. Enhance - An estimated 18,000 acres of grassland/wetland complex will be enhanced on permanently protected lands, including lands purchased with OHF funds and held by the Conservancy, MN DNR Management Units, US Fish and Wildlife Service lands, and private lands subject to perpetual conservation easements. The primary objectives of the enhancement activities will be to increase native species diversity and improve critical wildlife habitat. A variety of practices and techniques will be implemented to accomplish the objectives such as: prescribed fire; removal of trees and woody species; invasive species control including mechanical, biological, and chemical control; over-seeding degraded grasslands with native seed; and conservation grazing, mowing, or haying. The work will be conducted primarily through contracts with local vendors, Conservation Corps of Minnesota or Student Conservation Association crews and by using Nature Conservancy seasonal and permanent staff. Prairie Recovery Biologists, stationed in four landscapes within the Prairie region are responsible for identifying and prioritizing projects in cooperation with agency partners; selecting and overseeing contracted work; and leading and directing seasonal staff. The Biologists are also responsible for participating in and leading Prairie Plan Local Technical Team efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery by multiple partners at the landscape scale. Restore - Approximately 200 acres of cropland will be restored to diverse local-ecotype grassland and grassland/wetland complexes. Practices to be implemented include those listed as enhancements above and the restoration of original wetland hydrology. Results to date - Through previous Phases of the Prairie Recovery Program we have protected 7,590 acres of prairies, wetlands, and grasslands, enhanced more than 150,000 acres of permanently protected grasslands and restored approximately 1,800 acres with locally-sourced native seed. All parcels protected were directly adjacent to, or contributed to, the functional integrity of existing habitat complexes. Average per acre cost for acquired properties has averaged around $2,000 per acre. Our enhancement projects have focused on accelerating the implementation of prescribed fire, woody vegetation removal, building the infrastructure for conservation grazing systems and treatment of invasive species. Costs for enhancement and restoration work vary depending on the practices being implemented but have averaged around $120 per acre. Collectively these projects have captured approximately 723,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent and will continue to hold that carbon in prairie soils perpetually.",,2022-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Elizabeth,Beery,"The Nature Conservancy","1101 W River Parkway Suite 200",Minneapolis,MN,55415,612-331-0738,elizabeth.beery@TNC.ORG,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Big Stone, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Red Lake, Rock, Roseau, Stearns, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, Yellow Medicine","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/mn-prairie-recovery-program-phase-12,,,,
21782,"Preserving the Avon Hills Landscape - Phase II",2014,772000,"M.L. 2013, Chp. 52, Sec. 2, Subd. 04j","$772,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Saint John's University in cooperation with the Minnesota Land Trust to secure permanent conservation easements on high quality habitat in Stearns County, prepare conservation management plans, and provide public outreach. A list of proposed easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work plan. Up to $80,000 is for use by Minnesota Land Trust in a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the work plan and subject to subdivision 16. An entity that acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement. Money appropriated from the trust fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring, management, and enforcement fund as approved in the work plan. An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,772000,,,6.32,"Saint John's University","Private College/University","The Avon Hills area is a unique 65,000-acre glacial moraine landscape located in Stearns County just west of St. Cloud. It has been identified as having statewide ecological significance and includes the highest concentration of native plant communities in the county – including oak and maple-basswood forests, tamarack and mixed-hardwood swamps, and wet meadows – and several rare plants and animal species, including American ginseng, cerulean warbler, red-shouldered hawk, and Blanding’s turtle. This appropriation is being used by the St. John’s Arboretum at St. John’s University to secure permanent protection, via conservation easements, for an additional 350-550 acres of high quality habitat in the Avon Hills area, prepare conservation management plans for the easement lands, and provide public outreach on the significance of the Avon Hills landscape and options for its protection. St. John’s Arboretum previously used a 2008 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriation to permanently protect more than 1,000 acres in the area.",,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2013/work_plans/2013_04j.pdf,2013-07-01,2016-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Thomas,Kroll,"Saint Johns Arboretum and University","PO Box 3000",Collegeville,MN,56321,"(320) 363-3163",tkroll@csbsju.edu,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/preserving-avon-hills-landscape-phase-ii,,,,
35042,"Protecting and Restoring Minnesota's Important Birds Areas",2016,1730000,"ML 2015, First Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 2(i)","$1,730,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire conservation easements within important bird areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, to be used as follows: $408,000 is to Audubon Minnesota and $1,322,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust, of which up to $100,000 is for establishing monitoring and enforcement funds as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"78 Wetland acres and 650 Prairie acres (for a total of 728 acres) Restored.  265 Wetland acres and 220 Prairie acres ( for a total of 485 acres) Protected in Easement.  95 Wetland acres and 1,500 Prairie acres (for a total of 1,595 acres) Enhanced.  A total of 2,808 acres impacted. ",,187100,"Audubon Funds, Landowners ",1730000,,,0.89,"Audubon MN and MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protect and restore 590 acres of significant wildlife habitat through conservation easements and restoration projects on private lands within Important Bird Areas with an emphasis on those located in within priority areas identified in the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan. ",,"Audubon and Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) designed the Protecting and Restoring Minnesota's Important Birds Areas Program to provide solutions to declining grassland and waterbird populations due to habitat loss in western Minnesota. This program is unique for several reasons: 1) the emphasis on Important Bird Areas, which are essential to maintaining healthy and diverse bird populations in Minnesota; 2) a commitment to protecting and restoring working grasslands, remnant prairies and threatened wetlands within these IBAs; 3) the utilization of the cost- effective, reverse-bid model of evaluating and paying for conservation easements. In the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands, Audubon utilized a GIS analysis which found that within these IBAs, there are a total of 339,616 acres of private lands. Of those, 105,000 acres (31%) could be considered wildlife habitat worthy of conservation (e.g., wetlands, grasslands or woodlands). More specifically, private lands that are both within an Important Bird Area and a Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan core area total 195,480 acres, of which 51,576 (26%) could be considered of conservation value. It is this 26% of high priority private lands that this project targeted for protection, restoration, and enhancement in the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands. Specific tracts for easements were identified through a targeted application process as part of this Program’s innovative scoring system. The evaluation and payment strategy was based on MLT’s successful Avon Hills and the Wetlands Protection Initiative, which both used a science-based ranking system and reverse-bid model to leverage the State’s investment on these high-value wildlife lands. Audubon and MLT focused restoration/enhancement efforts on IBAs and the Prairie Plan’s priority areas within western and northwestern Minnesota where these efforts would most benefit target species. Restoration/enhancement work occurred on public lands and private lands previously protected by MLT under this grant and existing USFWS conservation easements. Easement lands, although permanently protected, often have a significant need for habitat restoration and enhancement. In addition, program partners restored and enhanced 524 acres of habitat within Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, as part of the largest tallgrass prairie restoration projects in North America. These acres enabled MLT and Audubon to further increase the value of these respective lands for focal species by targeting priority lands prioritized by the USFWS. Using this model, Audubon Minnesota and MLT protected four properties totaling 485 acres through perpetual conservation easements and restored and enhanced 2,323 acres of habitat on permanently protected public lands and private lands protected through publicly funded conservation easements by the USFWS and MLT. Properties protected through conservation easements under this Program: Skull Lake (Peterson) – Kittson County. 80 acres The property falls within the Kittson-Roseau Aspen Parkland Important Bird Area and within the Aspen Parklands Core Area. The property protects portions of two rare wet prairie native plant communities and is within 3.5 miles of a 7,000+ acre unit of Skull Lake Wildlife Management Area and four miles of The Nature Conservancy’s Wallace C. Dayton Conservation and Wildlife Area. The property supports sharp-tailed grouse and their courtship leks. Skull Lake (Pines Land) – Kittson County. 105 acres The property lies within the Kittson-Roseau Aspen Parkland Important Bird Area and within the Aspen Parklands Core Area. The property is located within a complex of natural habitats that provide habitat for elk, moose, gray wolf and black bear. Skull Lake WMA, which is identified by MBS as being of outstanding biodiversity significance, is located less than two miles to the south of the property. Skull Lake (Paine-Smude) – Kittson County. 160 acres This spectacular property lies within the Kittson-Roseau Aspen Parkland Important Bird Area and within the Aspen Parklands Core Area. The property borders the 7,000+ acre Skull Lake Wildlife Management Area to the north and 230-acres of land owned by The Nature Conservancy to the east. The property consists of five native plant communities, some of which are considered rare or imperiled in Minnesota, including Northwestern Dry- Mesic Oak Woodland, Bur Oak- (Prairie Herb) Woodland and Dry Barrens Prairie (Northern). The property is located within a site of high biodiversity significance, as ranked by Minnesota Biological Survey. Gilchrist Lake (Mulvaney) – Pope County. 140 acres The property lies in close proximity to over 6,000 acres of existing protected lands that are located within five miles of the Property. The wetlands and lakes in this area form the heart of Minnesota’s prairie pothole ‘Duck Factory’ that is of continental significance for waterfowl reproduction. The rolling terrain found on the property con¬tains a mosaic of mesic hardwood forests, a variety of wetlands, and remnant native prairie. It also contains 4,588 acres of undeveloped shoreline on a bay of Gilchrist Lake, a popular recreational lake. A wide variety of wildlife frequents this property, including many species of migra¬tory waterfowl and Species in Greatest Conservation Need. For this Program, MLT: 1) identified, contacted and negotiated with interested landowners; 2) completed four perpetual conservation easements totaling 485 acres; 3) documented property conditions and developed habitat management plans for; 4) dedicated funds for the perpetual monitoring and enforcement of those easements; 5) managed restoration/enhancement of 1,580 acres of private lands protected through publicly funded conservation easements held by MLT and USFWS. Audubon Minnesota: 1) served as Program Manager and local point of contact; 2) assisted with landowner identification and easement site assessments; 3) managed habitat identification and prioritization on the conservation easements; 4) managed the restoration/enhancement of 743 acres of lands which are protected through publicly-funded conservation easements or in public ownership; 5) managed the restoration/enhancement of 524 acres of lands funded through MLT's appropriation through a subcontract from MLT (those acres are attributed to MLT above); and 6) enhanced an additional 48 acres on Minnesota Land Trust easements conserved under this Program which are not included in any deliverable totals since they fall within the already acquired conservation easement. ",2015-07-01,2021-11-03,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Alexandra,Wardwell,"Audubon Minnesota","2355 Highway 36 West ~ Suite 400",Roseville,MN,55113,"(651) 739-9332",alexandra.wardwell@audubon.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Becker, Douglas, Grant, Kittson, Otter Tail, Polk, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/protecting-and-restoring-minnesotas-important-birds-areas,,,,
18270,"Quarry Park & Nature Preserve",2013,136000,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(c) (1) & M.S. 85.535","$7331000 the first year and $7686000 the second year are for grants under Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to acquire develop improve and restore parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 473.121 subdivision 2.",,,,,,,,,,"Stearns County",,"Develop second swimming quarry to relieve pressure on existing swimming quarry. Construct T-dock access platform, a cantilevered access platform, informational and safety signage, restroom, picnic shelter and landscaping.",,,2013-01-17,2015-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Joe,Hiller,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5538",joe.hiller@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/quarry-park-nature-preserve,,,,
9500,"Quarry Park and Nature Preserve",2010,400000,"M.L 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec 2d & M.S. 85.535.","$3970000 the first year and $4900000 the second year are for grants under new Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to parks and trails recognized as meeting the constitutional requirement of being a park or trail of regional or statewide significance. Grants under this section must be used only for acquisition development restoration and maintenance. Of this amount $500000 the first year and $600000 the second year are for grants for solar energy projects. Up to 2.5 percent of this appropriation may be used for administering the grants.",,,,,,,,,,"County Of Stearns",,"Acquire approximately 39.5 acres adjacent to the existing 643-acre Quarry Park and Nature Preserve and the DNR's 300-acre Quarry Park SNA. This key acquisition will open up a southern entrance serving the rapidly expanding St. Cloud metro area.",,,2010-01-28,2012-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Joe,Hiller,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5538",joe.hiller@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/quarry-park-and-nature-preserve-0,,,,
3898,"Region 3 Fishing Piers",2010,147000,"M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec. 2(3)",,,,,,,,,,,,,"Purchase and install fishing piers at priority lake and river sites in Region 3","- Replacement of 84' fishing pier on Lake Bennett in the City of Roseville in Ramsey County and on Buffalo Lake in the City of Buffalo in Wright County and on Silver Lake in North St. Paul in Ramsey County and on Middle Spunk Lake in the City of Avon in S",,2010-10-29,2014-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Nancy,Stewart,"MNDNR Division of Parks and Trails","500 Lafayette Rd","St Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5616",nancy.stewart@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Ramsey, Stearns, Todd, Wright, Hennepin",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/region-3-fishing-piers,,,,
10031394,"Remote Sensing for Pollinator Habitat",2025,180000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 03x","$180,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Monarch Joint Venture to use remote sensing technology to evaluate pollinator habitat on energy and transportation corridors across Minnesota and to host field-day training workshops.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,2.05,"Monarch Joint Venture","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This project uses remote sensing technology (UAVs) to evaluate pollinator habitat on energy and transportation lands across Minnesota.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Wendy,Caldwell,"Monarch Joint Venture","2233 University Ave W Suite 426","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(612) 208-3741",wcaldwell@monarchjointventure.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/remote-sensing-pollinator-habitat,,,,
18272,"River Bluffs Regional Park",2013,580000,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(c) (1) & M.S. 85.535","$7331000 the first year and $7686000 the second year are for grants under Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to acquire develop improve and restore parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 473.121 subdivision 2.",,,,,,,,,,"City Of St. Cloud",,"Acquisition of 34.75-acre addition to existing 140-acre River Bluffs Regional Park.",,,2013-01-17,2015-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Joe,Hiller,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5538",joe.hiller@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/river-bluffs-regional-park-0,,,,
9499,"River Bluffs Regional Park",2010,427000,"M.L 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec 2d & M.S. 85.535.","$3970000 the first year and $4900000 the second year are for grants under new Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to parks and trails recognized as meeting the constitutional requirement of being a park or trail of regional or statewide significance. Grants under this section must be used only for acquisition development restoration and maintenance. Of this amount $500000 the first year and $600000 the second year are for grants for solar energy projects. Up to 2.5 percent of this appropriation may be used for administering the grants.",,,,,,,,,,"City Of St. Cloud",,"Develop outdoor recreation facilities including a nature study/observation area, roads and trails, information boards and signs. Park includes shoreline adjacent to the Mississippi Wild & Scenic River. The new trails will provide safety and accessibility along the bluff line overlooking the river and prevent erosion caused by existing, informal earthen trails.",,,2010-09-22,2012-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Joe,Hiller,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5538",joe.hiller@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/river-bluffs-regional-park,,,,
9490,"Rockville County Park & Nature Preserve",2012,500000,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(c) (1) & M.S. 85.535","$7331000 the first year and $7686000 the second year are for grants under Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to acquire develop improve and restore parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 473.121 subdivision 2.",,,,,,,,,,"Stearns County",,"Develop parking area, rest room, bridge, observation deck, open play field, trails and horseback riding facilities.",,,2012-02-07,2014-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Joe,Hiller,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5538",joe.hiller@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/rockville-county-park-nature-preserve,,,,
9487,"Rocori Trail Phase 1",2012,500000,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(c) (1) & M.S. 85.535","$7331000 the first year and $7686000 the second year are for grants under Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to acquire develop improve and restore parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 473.121 subdivision 2.",,,,,,,,,,"Rocori Trail Construction Board",,"to acquire 3 miles of the Rocori Trail, connecting the cities of Richmond and Cold Spring, and eventually connecting to the Glacial Lakes State Trail",,,2012-02-13,2014-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Traci,Vibo,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","Saint Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5619",traci.vibo@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/rocori-trail-phase-1,,,,
10019645,"Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection & Restoration, Phase 3",2022,4034000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(o)","$4,034,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $1,034,000 to Sauk River Watershed District; $1,618,000 to Pheasants Forever; and $1,382,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, and then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored, and/or enhanced. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced",,,298300,"Landowner Donation Value, PF, Federal and Private",3995400,38600,,0.56,"Sauk River WD, PF, MLT","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program will permanently protect, restore and enhance critical habitat within the Sauk River Watershed, which has experienced considerable habitat loss and is at high risk for more land conversion. Using conservation easements and fee land acquisition, we will protect approximately 660 acres of priority habitat in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition Area. We will restore/enhance approximately 224 acres of wetlands and accompanying uplands to create habitat for waterfowl and populations of Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Properties selected will be strategically targeted using an innovative site prioritization model that maximizes conservation benefit and financial leverage.","Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Pheasants Forever (PF) ? with technical assistance from Stearns, Douglas and Meeker Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) ? will partner to implement habitat protection and restoration within the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Site prioritization will focus on protecting and restoring habitat in key locations, such as existing high quality or easily restorable wetland complexes, upland forests, floodplain forests, and prairies. Prioritized sites will be protected to preserve and enhance critical habitat for waterfowl and other important wildlife species. The SRW is in a rapidly growing region that has also experienced some of the most intense conversion from perennial cover to cropland in the past decade. Furthermore, public access for recreation, including hunting and fishing, is lacking. Landowner interest in conservation land protection and restoration is strong in the SRW. Since July 2019, the Partnership has protected 212 acres through fee title acquisition, 310 acres through conservation easements, and has restored 65 acres, while leveraging $1,276,805 through landowner donation of easement value and non-state funding sources. Landowners owning approximately 2,400 acres are interested in a conservation easement, in addition to 460 acres that are interested in fee acquisition. Protecting and restoring these strategic parcels will far exceed funding available through the Partnership's first two OHF grants. We anticipate significantly more interested and qualified properties for this program as outreach efforts grow following COVID-19 restrictions. Conservation Easements: MLT, with assistance from partners, will conduct outreach to landowners within priority areas. Interested landowners will submit proposals to MLT using a competitive, market-based Request for Proposal (RFP) process. MLT, with project partners, will rank properties based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing projects that provide the best ecological value and acquiring them at the lowest cost to the state. MLT will secure approximately 400 acres of permanent conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased acres. Fee Acquisition: PF will coordinate with agency partners on all potential fee simple acquisitions. PF will work with willing sellers to protect approximately 260 acres of strategically identified parcels within the SRW and then donate the parcels to the MN DNR as a Wildlife or Aquatic Management Area or to USFWS as a Waterfowl Production Area. Protected tracts will be managed as habitat and provide public access in perpetuity within an area of our state where public land for recreational use is lacking. Restoration and Enhancement: SRWD will restore/enhance approximately 224 acres of wetland, riparian and associated upland habitat in cooperation with county SWCDs, MLT, USFWS, and TNC. This work will be on permanently protected land and will include at least one large wetland restoration. Specific activities/scope will vary based on selected project sites but may include performing hydrologic restoration, invasive species management, and planting vegetation to increase site biodiversity. PF will manage all needed restoration activities on fee simple acquisitions.",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sarah,Boser,"Sauk River Watershed District","642 Lincoln Road ","Sauk Centre",MN,56378,3203522231,sarah@srwdmn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Pope, Stearns, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-watershed-habitat-protection-restoration-phase-3,,,,
10017829,"Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase 2",2021,3926000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 5(p)","$3,926,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $430,000 to the Sauk River Watershed District, $2,073,000 to Pheasants Forever, and $1,423,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, and then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored, and/or enhanced. Protected, restored, and enhanced habitat for migratory and unique Minnesota species - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced",,,249200,"Landowner Donation, PF, Private and Federal",3890900,35100,,0.488,"Sauk River Watershed District, Pheasants Forever, to Minnesota Land Trust. ","Local/Regional Government","This project will permanently protect, restore and enhance critical habitat within the Sauk River Watershed, which has experienced considerable habitat loss and is at high risk for more land use conversion. Using conservation easements and fee land acquisition, we will protect 750 acres of high priority habitat in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition Area and will restore/enhance approximately 66 acres of wetlands and accompanying uplands to create vital habitat for important waterfowl and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) populations. Properties selected will be strategically targeted using an innovative site prioritization model that maximizes conservation benefit andfinancialleverage.","Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Pheasants Forever (PF), along with technical assistance provided by Stearns, Todd, and Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), Ducks Unlimited (DU), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will partner to implement habitat protection and restoration within the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Site prioritization will focus on protecting and restoring habitat in key locations, such as existing high quality or easily restorable wetland complexes, upland forests, floodplain forests, and prairies. Prioritized sites will be protected to preserve and enhance critical habitat for waterfowl and other important wildlife species. The SRW is in a rapidly growing region of the state that has also experienced some of the most intense conversion from perennial cover to cropland in the past decade. Furthermore, public access for recreation, including hunting and fishing, is lacking. Landowner interest in conservation land protection and restoration is strong in the SRW. The partnership currently has easement interest from 45 high-quality properties, totaling 2,764 acres, in addition to eight known properties interested in fee simple acquisition. Protecting and restoring these interested properties will far exceed funding available through the Partnership's first OHF grant that comes online July 1, 2019. We anticipate significantly more interested and qualified properties for this project as outreach efforts grow. Conservation Easements: SRWD, with assistance from local SWCD partners, will conduct outreach to landowners within targeted priority areas identified using TNC's Multiple Benefits Analysis that has been completed for protection prioritization in the SRW. Interested landowners will submit proposals to MLT using a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process. MLT, with project partners, will rank properties based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing projects that provide the best ecological value and acquiring them at the lowest cost to the state. MLT will secure 420 acres of permanent conservation easements and develop restoration and habitat management plans for eased acres. Fee Acquisition: PF will coordinate with the MN DNR and USFWS on all potential fee simple acquisitions. PF will work with willing sellers to protect 330 acres of strategically identified parcels within the SRW and then donate the parcels to the MN DNR as a WMA or to USFWS as a WPA. Acquired tracts will be managed as wildlife habitat and provide public access in perpetuity within an area of our state where public land for recreational use is lacking. Restoration and Enhancement: SRWD will restore/enhance 257 acres of wetland, riparian and associated upland habitat in cooperation with county SWCDs, MLT, DU, USFWS, and TNC on permanently protected easement land. Specific activities and scope will vary based on quality of parcel but may include performing hydrologic restoration, invasive species management, and planting vegetation to increase site biodiversity. PF will manage all needed restoration activities on fee simple acquisitions.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Sarah,Boser,"Sauk River Watershed District","642 Lincoln Road ","Sauk Centre",MN,56378,"(320) 352-2231",sarah@srwdmn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Meeker, Pope, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-watershed-habitat-protection-and-restoration-phase-2,,,,
9489,"Sauk River Park",2012,500000,"M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(c) (1) & M.S. 85.535","$7331000 the first year and $7686000 the second year are for grants under Minnesota Statutes section 85.535 to acquire develop improve and restore parks and trails of regional or statewide significance outside of the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 473.121 subdivision 2.",,,,,,,,,,"City of Sartell",,"Acquire approximately 44 acres along the Sauk River for a regional park to provide nature-based outdoor recreation including nature trails, canoe access, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing. ",,,2012-01-20,2014-06-30,"Parks & Trails Fund",Completed,,,Joe,Hiller,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 259-5538",joe.hiller@state.mn.us,Grants/Contracts,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-park,,,,
10011388,"Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration",2020,2946000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 5(e)","$2,946,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $440,000 to Sauk River Watershed District, $590,000 to Pheasants Forever, and $1,916,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $192,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"This program prioritized projects using SGCN and quality habitat as major weighting factors. The Sauk River Watershed is an important migratory corridor for forest birds and waterfowl. It contains wetlands, upland forests, and shorelands, which are essential habitats to Minnesota's wildlife diversity and health. Two properties, totaling 264 acres were protected and restored, creating additions to a WMA and WPA. These acquisitions provide vital habitat to many SGCN. Seven properties totaling 462 acres were protected through conservation easement under this grant, including: -Cold Spring Creek (Johnson): A 39-acre property in Stearns County that protects an important wetland complex at the headwaters of Cold Spring Creek - a state-designated trout stream and a tributary to the Sauk River. -Sauk River (Maile Trust): A 85-acre property in Stearns County that is within a Site of Moderate Biodiversity Significance and protects over 12,000 feet of shoreline. -Ashley Creek (Eggers Trust): A 27-acre property in Stearns County that contains outstanding habitat for marbled godwit, a SGCN, which has been sighted in the area during breeding season surveys. -Sauk River (Rothstein): A 6-acre property in Stearns County that protects over one-quarter mile of shoreline on the Sauk River. This property is part of a complex of three adjacent conservation easements held by MLT that totals 122 acres of permanent protection. -Byer Lake (Gillitzer): A 116-acre property in Stearns County that protects over a mile of undeveloped shoreline on Byer Lake - a unique ""perched"" lake that contains a high-quality assemblage of aquatic plant species. -Sauk River (Lieser): A 37-acre property in Stearns County that protects over a mile of shoreline on the Sauk River. -Byer Lake (Gresser Family LLP): A 152-acre property in Stearns County that is part of a growing contiguous area of protection on Byer Lake. Furthermore, the partnership restored/enhanced more than 780 acres of forest, prairie/grassland, and wetland habitat across the Sauk River Watershed. Projects included wetland restoration, invasive species control, native seeding, and tree planting.","A total of 1,421 acres were affected: 394 Restored, 264 in Fee Title, 462 in Easements, 301 in Enhance.",1162300,"Attorney donated time, Federal Funds, Federal Funds, Landowner donations, contractor donations, Landowner donations and contractor donations",2871400,42900,,0.36,"Pheasants Forever, MLT, Sauk River WD","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Through the Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration program, the Partnership protected 726 acres (264 acres through fee simple acquisition and 462 acres through conservation easements). Additionally, the program restored/enhanced 780 acres of high priority habitat in the Sauk River Watershed. Overall, we achieved 111% of our land protection goal, 177% of our R/E acreage goal, and 397% of our proposed leverage goal. Our actions increased habitat connectivity, biodiversity, and landscape resilience.","Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Pheasant Forever (PF), along with technical assistance provided by Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Todd SWCD, Douglas SWCD, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), partnered to implement habitat protection and restoration within the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Sites that include top priority habitats, such as existing high quality or easily restorable wetland complexes, upland forests, floodplain forests, and prairies were prioritized. Prioritized sites were protected to preserve and enhance critical habitat for waterfowl and other important wildlife species. This program protected high caliber habitats and protected and restored degraded habitats in key locations. The SRW is in a rapidly growing region of the state that has also experienced some of the most intense conversion from perennial cover to cropland in the past decade. This conversion is expected to increase. Interest by landowners in protecting their land is strong in the SRW, but often these lands do not qualify for CREP. A small window of opportunity exists to protect these high habitat quality sites now as they are expiring from CRP, before they are developed or converted back to farmland. In 2018 alone in the SRW, there were 434 CRP contracts expiring, comprising 3,122 acres of quality habitat. SRWD managed the grant and subcontracted for associated R/E activities. PF negotiated and secured fee title acquisitions and oversaw related R/E activities. MLT negotiated and secured conservation easements and oversaw R/E activities. Conservation Easements: MLT worked with private landowners to protect approximately 462 acres of permanent conservation easements through this grant. SRWD, with assistance from local partners such as the County SWCDs, conducted outreach to landowners within targeted priority areas identified using TNC's Multiple Benefits Analysis that has been completed for protection prioritization in the SRW. Interested landowners submitted proposals to MLT using a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process that ranked properties based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing the projects that provide the best ecological value and acquired them at the lowest cost to the state, and developed restoration and habitat management plans for eased lands. Fee acquisition: PF coordinated with MN DNR and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on all potential fee simple acquisitions. PF worked with willing sellers to protect and restore 264 acres of strategically identified parcels within the SRW and then donated the parcels to the MN DNR as a WMA and to FWS as WPA where they will be managed as wildlife habitat and provide public access in perpetuity. Restoration and Enhancement: SRWD and MLT collectively restored/enhanced 780 acres through this grant. SRWD, with assistance from County SWCDs, restored approximately 394 acres of wetland, riparian and associated upland habitat. Activities included prairie tree removal, seeding, and prescribed burns. MLT led enhancement work across lands protected through conservation easement, DNR WMAs, and other protected properties, enhancing 386 acres.",,2019-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Steve,Zeece,"Sauk River Watershed District","642 Lincoln Rd ","Sauk Centre",MN,56378,3203522231,Steve@srwdmn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Pope, Stearns","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Northern Forest, Southeast Forest, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-watershed-habitat-protection-and-restoration,,,,
10035262,"Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection & Restoration, Phase 5",2025,3965000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 5(n)","$3,965,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $375,000 to Great River Greening; $1,199,000 to Sauk River Watershed District; $1,192,000 to Pheasants Forever; and $1,199,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17.","Rivers and streams provide corridors of habitat including intact areas of forest cover in the east and large wetland/upland complexes in the west - Expanded buffers of stream corridors and wetland/prairie complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, spawning areas for fishes, and cover for game species will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, and then coordinate protection, restoration, and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored, and/or enhanced. Remnant native prairies are part of large complexes of restored prairies, grasslands, and large and small wetlands - Expanded buffers of stream corridors and wetland/prairie complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and cover and forage for game species will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, and then coordinate protection, restoration, and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored, and/or enhanced",,,195900,"Landowners, Private Donors and Unrealized dss",3895500,69500,,0.7,"Sauk River WD, MLT, GRG, PF","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This program permanently protects, restores, and enhances critical habitat within the Sauk River Watershed, which has experienced considerable habitat loss and is at high risk for more land use conversion. Using conservation easements and fee land acquisition, we will protect approximately 387 acres of high priority habitat in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition Area. We will restore/enhance approximately 107 acres of wetlands, stream corridors, and accompanying uplands, creating vital habitat for waterfowl, fishes, and populations of threatened and endangered species. Properties will be strategically targeted using innovative site prioritization model that maximizes conservation benefit and financial leverage.","Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), Pheasants Forever (PF), and Great River Greening (GRG) - with technical assistance from local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Stearns County Parks (SCP) - will partner to implement habitat protection and restoration within the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Site prioritization will focus on protecting and restoring habitat in high-impact locations, including high quality or easily restorable wetland complexes, upland and floodplain forests, prairies, and stream corridors, which provide critical habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, SGCN and other important wildlife species. The SRW is in a rapidly growing region that has experienced intense conversion from perennial cover to cropland in the past decade. Furthermore, public access for recreation, including hunting and fishing, is lacking. Landowner interest in conservation land protection and restoration is strong in the SRW. Since July 2019, the Partnership has protected 665 acres through fee title acquisition, 888 acres through conservation easements, and has restored/enhanced 198 acres, while leveraging $2,032,405 through landowner donation of easement value and non-state funding sources. As of May 2023, landowners owning approximately 1,200 acres are interested in permanently protecting their properties. Protecting and restoring these strategic parcels will far exceed funding available through the Partnership's previous OHF grants. We anticipate significantly more interested landowners as outreach efforts continue. Conservation Easements: MLT will conduct landowner outreach within priority areas and will accept proposals from landowners using a competitive, market-based Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Properties will be ranked based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing projects that provide the best ecological value and lowest cost to the state. Our goal is to protect 233 acres of permanent conservation easements through this proposal, with habitat management plans developed for eased acres. Fee Acquisition: Coordinating with agency partners, PF will protect through fee acquisition 154 acres of strategically identified parcels and donate parcels to MNDNR as a WMA or AMA, to USFWS as a WPA, or to counties. Protected tracts will be managed as wildlife habitat and provide public access within an area of our state where pubic land for recreation use is lacking. Restoration and Enhancement: SRWD will restore approximately 57 acres of wetland, riparian and associated upland habitat in cooperation with county SWCDs, MNDNR, and USFWS. The restorations will focus on building large complexes of improved habitat in the GUS Plus (Getchell, Unnamed, & Stony Creeks) and Osakis Management Units, which are priorities in the SRCWMP. The improved habitat will benefit many species including native bivalves, spawning fishes, and amphibians. GRG will complete Natural Resource Management Plans and restore/enhance approximately 50 acres of public and/or protected private land, with a focus on three Stearns County Parks, all of which are degraded by invasive species and with inadequate woodland management. Natural Resource Management Plans developed for each park, totaling 399 acres, will advise the County and guide prioritization of needed habitat improvements.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Steve,Zeece,"Sauk River Watershed District","642 Lincoln Road ","Sauk Centre",MN,56378,3203522231,Steve@SRWDMN.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,Stearns,"Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-watershed-habitat-protection-restoration-phase-5,,,,
10033411,"Sauk River Watershed Habitat Protection & Restoration, Phase 4",2023,4091000,"ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 5(m)","$4,091,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Sauk River watershed as follows: $1,601,000 to Sauk River Watershed District; $1,245,000 to Pheasants Forever; and $1,245,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $192,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, and then coordinate protection, restoration, and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored, and/or enhanced. Restored and enhanced upland habitats - Large corridors and complexes of biologically diverse wildlife habitat, providing nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and Species in Greatest Conservation Need will be restored and protected. Partners will work together to identify priority lands using existing data and public plans, then coordinate protection, restoration, and enhancement activities in those priority areas. Success within each priority area will be determined based on the percentage of area protected, restored and/or enhanced",,,229800,"Landowner Donation, Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership Grant, NA, PF, Federal and Private",4052000,39000,,0.64,"Sauk River WD; Pheasants Forever; MLT","Local/Regional Government","This program permanently protects, restores, and enhances critical habitat within the Sauk River Watershed, which has experienced considerable habitat loss and is at high risk for more land use conversion. Using conservation easements and fee land acquisition, we will protect approximately 500 acres of high priority habitat in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition Area. We will restore/enhance approximately 74 acres of wetlands and accompanying uplands, creating vital habitat for waterfowl and populations of Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). Properties selected will be strategically targeted using innovative site prioritization model that maximizes conservation benefit and financial leverage.","Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD), Minnesota Land Trust (MLT), and Pheasants Forever (PF) - with technical assistance from local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - will partner to implement habitat protection and restoration within the Sauk River Watershed (SRW). Site prioritization will focus on protecting and restoring habitat in key, high-impact locations, such as existing high quality or easily restorable wetland complexes, upland forests, floodplain forests, and prairies. Prioritized sites will be protected to preserve and enhance critical habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and other important wildlife species. The SRW is in a rapidly growing region that has also experienced some of the most intense conversion in Minnesota from perennial cover to cropland in the past decade. Furthermore, public access for recreation, including hunting and fishing, is lacking. Landowner interest in conservation land protection and restoration is strong in the SRW. Since July 2019, the Partnership has protected 373 acres through fee title acquisition, 464 acres through conservation easements, and has restored 65 acres, while leveraging $1,319,340 through landowner donation of easement value and non-state funding sources. As of May 2021, landowners owning approximately 1,600 acres are interested in permanently protecting their properties. Protecting and restoring these strategic parcels will far exceed funding available through the Partnership's previous OHF grants. We anticipate significantly more interested and qualified properties for this program as outreach efforts grow. Conservation Easements: MLT, with assistance from SWCD partners, will conduct outreach to landowners within priority areas. Interested landowners will submit proposals to MLT using a competitive, market-based Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Properties will be ranked based on ecological value and cost, prioritizing projects that provide the best ecological value and acquiring them at the lowest cost to the state. Approximately 301 acres of permanent conservation easements will be procured through this proposal, with restoration and habitat management plans developed for eased acres. Fee Acquisition: PF will coordinate with agency partners on all potential fee simple acquisitions. PF will work with willing sellers to protect 199 acres of strategically identified parcels within the SRW and then donate the parcels to the MN DNR as a Wildlife or Aquatic Management Area or to USFWS as a Waterfowl Production Area. Protected tracts will be managed as wildlife habitat and provide public access in perpetuity within an area of our state where public land for recreational use is lacking. Restoration and Enhancement: SRWD will restore/enhance approximately 74 acres of wetland, riparian and associated upland habitat in cooperation with county SWCDs, MLT, USFWS, and TNC. Most of the restoration work will occur on conservation easements in Douglas County. The restorations will focus on building a wetland complex in an area that had historically been known as Crooked Hanford Lake, but was drained by the addition of a public drainage system. The habitat benefits will include general wildlife, fish, and amphibian habitat improvements.",,2022-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Steve,Zeece,"Sauk River Watershed District","642 Lincoln Road ","Sauk Centre",MN,56378,320-352-2231,Steve@srwdmn.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Pope, Stearns, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/sauk-river-watershed-habitat-protection-restoration-phase-4,,,,
10031462,"Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) Biodiversity Protection",2025,957000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 09d","$957,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to strategically acquire from willing sellers high-quality lands that meet criteria for scientific and natural areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,1.1,"MN DNR","State Government","Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) strategic acquisition (~85 acres) will conserve Minnesota's most unique places and rare species for everyone's benefit.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2028-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Judy,Elbert,"MN DNR","500 Lafayette Rd Box 25","St. Paul",MN,55155,"(651) 391-3168",judy.elbert@state.mn.us,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/scientific-and-natural-area-sna-biodiversity-protection,,,,
10031426,"Season Watch: Cultivating Young Naturalists with Phenology Education",2025,180000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 05o","$180,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Northern Community Radio, Inc. to continue to build the next generation of Minnesota conservationists by delivering engaging environmental programming to northern Minnesota through radio and podcasts, hosting phenology training and interactive nature events for K-12 students, and expanding KAXE coverage of environmental topics to a digital audience.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,2.48,"Northern Community Radio, Inc.","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This education project will continue building the next generation of conservationists in Minnesota by engaging youths and adults in science and outdoor learning through radio, podcasts, newsletters and schoolyard exploration.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Sarah,Bignall,"Northern Community Radio, Inc.","260 NE 2nd St","Grand Rapids",MN,55744,"(218) 326-1234",sbignall@kaxe.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/season-watch-cultivating-young-naturalists-phenology-education,,,,
10000100,"Shallow Lake & Wetland Protection Program - Phase VI",2018,5750000,"ML 2017, Ch. 91, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(b)","$5,750,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to acquire land in fee and restore prairie lands, wetlands and land buffering shallow lakes for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes 86A.05, subdivision 8. A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ",,"211 Wetland acres, 554 Prairie acres (for a total of 765 acres) Protected in Fee with State PILT Liability. ",,133300,"NAWCA, Private Landowner Donations, and DU Private ",5705800,26400,,2.5,"Ducks Unlimited","Non-Profit Business/Entity","This Phase 6 request for Ducks Unlimited's land protection and restoration program will acquire and restore 600 acres of prairie land on shallow lakes and prairie land with restorable wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota for transfer to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion in the state Wildlife Management Area system. This land acquisition and restoration work will focus on land that buffers shallow lakes and provides breeding habitat for ducks and other prairie wildlife. DU engineers will survey and design wetland restorations, and contract with private sector firms for restoration construction and earth moving work. ",,"This Phase 6 of Ducks Unlimited's prairie land acquisition/protection program in Minnesota acquired and restored land with drained wetlands adjacent to existing public lands and shallow lakes for inclusion in the Minnesota DNR’s state Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system. DU focuses on the acquisition and restoration of lands with restorable wetlands and prairie adjacent to existing WMAs to create functioning prairie-wetland habitat complexes for wildlife and public use. This work addresses the habitat goals in Minnesota's Long-range Duck Recovery Plan, Minnesota’s Prairie Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. This work is time- sensitive because farmland adjacent to state WMAs is rarely offered for sale for conservation, and tracts are only available for a short time. DU worked in close partnership with the Minnesota DNR Section of Wildlife to identify land tracts for sale of importance to DNR and of significance to wildlife, once restored and protected. DU then hired professional licensed consultant appraisers to determine fair market land value, and purchased land from willing sellers private landowners. In six of eight cases, DU secure bargain sale purchase donations totaling $56,832, and paid full appraised value for the other two parcels. In each case, DU provided written communication to county boards informing them of our land purchase plans at least 30 days before closing, and appeared before two county boards and one township board to further explain and discuss our conservation work. No formal objections were made, and all concerns resolved. Following acquisition, DU professional biologists and engineers worked closely with DNR field staff to plan and implement both robust prairie and wetland restorations, including diverse native forb/grass seed plantings and complex wetland restorations that required extensive drainage system modification and expensive sediment removal to restore functioning wetlands for prairie wildlife, especially on Indian Lake WMA in Sibley County, Tyler and Discors WMA in Lincoln County, and Goose Prairie WMA in Clay County. Private contractors were selected to perform restoration earth moving work to restore wetland hydrology, remove drainage tile and sediment, and invasive trees. A combination of private contractors and DNR field staff seeded uplands back to native prairie grasslands with abundant pollinator forbs. Each of the eight land tracts has been successfully transferred into the Minnesota DNR’s WMA system, and are fully open to public use, including hunting. This work was important because Minnesota has lost 90% of our prairie wetlands to drainage and 99% of our prairie uplands to cultivation. Acquisition and restoration of small wetlands and prairie is critically needed here, especially for breeding waterfowl in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota where DU is focused. The few remaining prairie wetlands and shallow lakes contained within state WMAs or federal Waterfowl Production Areas rarely provide optimal wildlife habitat due to their small, fragmented size and isolated juxtaposition. Acquisition/restoration drained wetlands and cultivated prairie adjacent to existing public lands and public waters helps create functioning prairie-wetland complexes of habitat for wildlife that are open to public hunting too. ",2017-07-01,2022-02-02,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Jon,Schneider,"Ducks Unlimited","311 East Lake Geneva Road ",Alexandria,MN,56308,(320)762-9916,jschneider@ducks.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Lincoln, Pope, Sibley","Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lake-wetland-protection-program-phase-vi,,,,
10006502,"Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement - Phase 10",2019,2759000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(e )"," $2,759,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes and wetland habitat statewide. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"A statewide review of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) found that wetlands are one of the three habitat types (along with prairies and rivers) most used by these species. The almost 5,000 acres of wetland enhancement will provide wetland management actions identified to support SGCN, including reversal of wetland degradation and control of invasives. In the Minnesota County Biological Survey description of the marsh community, special attention is given to two issues faced in Minnesota marshes - stable high water levels that reduce species diversity, often to a point at which a monotypic system evolves, and the ""invasion of marshes by the non-native species narrow-leaved cattail"" and its hybrids. Both of these issues were directly addressed by the major cattail control activities involving the Roving Habitat Crew, along with water level management that will now be possible through because of newly installed wetland infrastructure projects.","A total of 4,745 acres were affected: 50 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 0 in Easements, 4,695 in Enhance.",,,2357300,105900,,3,DNR,"State Government","Funding through this appropriation enhanced 4,745 acres of wetland habitat. Four wetland/shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,020 acres and and another project restored 50 acres. Wetland management actions (wild rice seeding, a significant drawdown, and a major large prescribed burn) enhanced 1,997 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,678 wetland acres through work on prescribed burns, drawdowns, herbicide applications, and removal of woody vegetation. Finally, survey and design work on 16 projects gathered information for possible future construction. A new shallow lakes program position was funded in Windom,","ML18 Shallow Lake and Wetlands Enhancements Phase 10 accomplishments include engineering and construction of individual projects, stand-alone engineering projects, specific management actions leading to wetland enhancement, Roving Habitat Crew work and establishment of a new Shallow Lake Specialist in Windom. Engineering and Construction Projects - Projects were undertaken to provide shallow lake and wetland enhancement totaling 1,020 acres through the engineering and construction of a water control structure replacement at Albion WMA in Wright County (300 acres) and another water control structure at Carlos Avery WMA Pool 9 (400 acres), a fish barrier at Shakopee Lake in Wright County (200 acres), and work at Lac qui Parle WMA to improve water management at the Killen Moist Soil Unit (120 acres). Fifty acres of wetlands were restored in Cottonwood County. Stand-alone Engineering - Shallow lake and wetland projects can be complex and require detailed surveys and engineering. Stand-alone engineering projects provide the initial work to guide future construction, establish detailed cost estimates, and identify potential issues. Sixteen projects had stand-alone engineering and ranged from simple feasibility studies to in-depth surveys and plan development. Nine of these projects were in the Prairie Ecosection, 2 in the Forest-Prairie Ecosection, 2 in the Metro Ecosection, 2 in the Northern Forest Ecosection, and 1 in the Southeast Forest Ecosection. Management Actions - A drawdown of Gilfillan Lake in Blue Earth County enhanced 210 acres. The property manager reported a very positive vegetation response following this drawdown. A large prescribed burn of wetlands at Beaches WMA in Kittson County resulted in 1,766 acres of enhancement. Burns of this size are possible through the use of aerial ignition (lighting fires with helicopters). In Washburn Lake in Aitkin County 21 acres were enhanced through the seeding of 1,064 lbs. of wild rice. Roving Habitat Crews - Roving Habitat Crews are teams of highly trained staff who are equipped to perform habitat enhancement projects on public lands. Funding from this appropriation was provided to the Region 4 Roving Habitat Crew to enable it to perform wetland enhancement activities through the addition of two roving crew members and their associated costs for three fiscal years. Typical wetland enhancement activities undertaken by Roving Habitat Crews include prescribed burns of wetlands, removal of invasive species and trees, and support of shallow lake drawdowns. Work by this Roving Habitat Crew directly impacted 1,678 acres. Shallow Lakes Program - The Shallow Lakes Program is a high-visibility program that uses single-focused Shallow Lakes Specialists to (1) perform standardized assessments of shallow lakes and (2) to bring about needed management or infrastructure changes where needed to enhance shallow lake habitat. Work by these Specialists guides shallow lake work by both DNR Wildlife staff and NGOs. Funding from this appropriation allowed the addition of a Shallow Lake Specialists at Windom. During the five years funded by this appropriation, this specialist reported working on standardized shallow lake assessments, feasibility studies, updating management plans, survey work with a Trimble, and fish surveys.",,2018-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Ricky,Lien,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources","500 Lafayette Road ","St. Paul",MN,55155,651-259-5227,ricky.lien@state.mn.us,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Fillmore, Freeborn, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Polk, Pope, Redwood, Rice, Scott, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Watonwan, Wright, Yellow Medicine","Northern Forest, Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Metropolitan - Urbanizing Area, Southeast Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/shallow-lakes-and-wetland-enhancement-phase-10,,,,
10031375,"Turtle Island Skywatchers - Minnesota Research and Data Visualization",2025,200000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 03e","$200,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Native Skywatchers Inc. to engage youth in environmental stewardship by collecting images and acoustic data from turtles and other culturally significant animals and their habitats, evaluating the differences in these soundscapes across landscapes, and sharing the results through scientific storytelling and online platforms.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,3.88,"Native Skywatchers Inc","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Turtle Island Skywatchers - Innovative Research and Data Visualization project works to protect Minnesota water, wildlife, and natural resources while empowering Indigenous youth as leaders and all citizens as researchers.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,"Annette S.",Lee,"Native Skywatchers Inc","17101 76th Pl. N.","Maple Grove",MN,55311,"(612) 314-9717",nativeskywatchers@gmail.com,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/turtle-island-skywatchers-minnesota-research-and-data-visualization,,,,
10031420,"Unlocking Minnesota Wilderness for Youth",2025,705000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 05i","$705,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with YMCA of the North to engage underserved youth in hands-on environmental education by expanding Unlock It!, a self-guided, interactive, and nature-based scavenger hunt, to open spaces and campuses across the state.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,7.2,"YMCA of the North","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Our goals are to engage 100,000 underserved youth statewide in environmental education, engaging them in the conservation and preservation of Minnesota wilderness through the experiences in the outdoors.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2027-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Beth,Becker,"YMCA of the North","651 Nicollet Mall, STE 500",Minneapolis,MN,55402,"(612) 330-3070",beth.becker@ymcamn.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/unlocking-minnesota-wilderness-youth,,,,
735,"Urban Wilderness Youth Outdoor Education",2011,557000,"M.L. 2010, Chp. 362, Sec. 2, Subd. 08d","$557,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Wilderness Inquiry to provide an outdoor education and recreation program on the Mississippi River. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2013, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".","Click on ""Final Report"" under ""Project Details"".",,,,,,,,"Wilderness Inquiry","Non-Profit Business/Entity","PROJECT OVERVIEW There has been a sharp decline in participation in outdoor recreation and education amongst urban youth. Some argue that youth who have meaningful outdoor education experiences are more likely to become engaged in environmental stewardship and invested in outdoor resources as adults. Wilderness Inquiry- in partnership with state and federal agencies, non-profits, and local school districts - will use this appropriation to expand an environmental education and recreation program that provides disadvantaged urban youth and families, some of whom have never even been on a boat, with hands-on educational and recreational experiences of the Mississippi River in 24 foot Voyageur canoes. Funds are enabling the program to serve an additional 23,000 urban youth and families in the Twin Cities metro area. Public school groups have day trips and overnight excursions available to them to augment their classroom learning, while other youth and families have access through community events. OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS The goal of Urban Wilderness Youth Outdoor Education (UWYOE) was to provide accessible, outdoor education and recreation opportunities on the Mississippi River and surrounding watershed for more than 20,000 urban youth over a three-year period. UWYOE was developed in response to the sharp decline in participation in outdoor education and activities such as canoeing, camping, hunting and fishing by urban youth. UWYOE provided experiential environmental learning experiences on the Mississippi River and surrounding watershed for 24,899 Twin Cities middle and high school students, exceeding our initial goal of 20,000. 80% of the youth served identify as a person of color and 80% are eligible for free or reduced lunch. The majority, 76%, had very little or no prior experience with outdoor activities. Environmental education experiences were provided through outdoor workshops on local lakes and rivers, guided day trips on the Mississippi River, and overnight camping trips in local parks. National Park Service Rangers and Wilderness Inquiry guides provided natural and cultural history and science lessons as part of each program activity. We developed, refined and implemented classroom activities, provided three teacher trainings for Minneapolis Public Schools summer school staff, and developed a program website. We also purchased four 24' Voyageur canoes to expand our capacity to serve more youth.A three-year evaluation was conducted by the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI). Major outcomes include:77% of participants reported an increased interest in science and the environment87% of teachers agreed that students learned about environmental issues100% of students said they would like to participate in an outdoor activity like this againThis program has gained national attention as a model for engaging urban youth with the environment and building skills to grow future stewards and managers of our public lands. In the summer of 2012, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Governor Mark Dayton recognized the program as a leader in America's Great Outdoors initiative. PROJECT RESULTS USE AND DISSEMINATION The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund's investment in UWYOE has resulted in the establishment of a model program for engaging youth in the outdoors, which we now call Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures (UWCA). The UWCA has been recognized by the EPA, the Department of Interior, and Gov. Mark Dayton, among others, as a leader in America's Great Outdoors Initiative. Within the National Park Service and National Forest Service, the UWCA is being held up as an example of how these agencies need to engage in urban communities across the country. In 2010, Wilderness Inquiry and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area unit of the National Park Service piloted the UWCA concept developed in the Twin Cities to Washington DC, with support from the National Park Service, US Forest Service, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and several DC based nonprofit organizations. Serving 1,000 DC area school kids on the Anacostia River, this effort helping bring together 20 DC area organizations focused on though and/or the Anacostia River. To build on this success, we launched the ""Canoemobile"" to introduce youth to urban waters in multiple cities, and to help build local coalitions dedicated to providing outdoor opportunities to disadvantaged youth. In 2013, the Canoemobile will serve youth in Milwaukee, Michigan City, Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington DC. Nature Valley has signed on as a sponsor of the Canoemobile. We held two outcomes briefings (one in 2011 and one in 2013) to present the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) evaluation results. The first was hosted by the Minneapolis Foundation and the second by Mayor Chris Coleman and the Saint Paul Foundation. Each had more than 35 community leaders, funders, and educators present. Information about the project has also been disseminated through the project website. The UWCA has received coverage on Kare 11 News, the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, and Mpls/St. Paul Magazine.",,"FINAL REPORT",2010-07-01,2013-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Greg,Lais,"Wilderness Inquiry","808 14th Avenue SE",Minneapolis,MN,55414,"(612) 676-9409",greglais@wildernessinquiry.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Washington, Wright",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/urban-wilderness-youth-outdoor-education,,,,
10011426,"Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 4",2020,2129000,"ML 2019, 1st Sp. Session, Ch. 2, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd, 4(c)","$2,129,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $240,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will permanently protect 400 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 707 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced..Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - This program will permanently protect 400 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 271 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced..",,,296800,"Landowner donation of easement value, USFWS Personnel",2079000,50000,,0.68,MLT,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 4 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will result in the protection of 800 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota’s Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection. In addition, a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Trust will restore/enhance 978 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations.","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota’s Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plansdeveloped to protect Minnesota’s wildlife—including Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan—cite the protection and restoration of the state’sremaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State’s conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat.Minnesota Land Trust’s Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system at the edge of the of western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota’s “duckfactory” and is central to one of North America’s most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phases 1 and 2 of this program, the Land Trust has procured 17 conservation easements protecting nearly 2,500 acres of habitat and 75,100 feet of shoreline, with more on the way.Phase 4 will build on these accomplishments by broadening the Program’s focus to include – along with wetland protection – habitat restoration and enhancement. In a partnership between the Land Trust and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, this proposal will restore/enhance 978 acres of important prairie and wetland habitat on private lands already protected within the Program area. In addition, the Land Trust will protect 800 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals.The Land Trust will continue to implement a criteria-based ranking system and market approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase easements that help complete key complexes as necessary.To focus our easement protection work, we used the Prairie Plan and other data sets and plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the intersection of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, as well as agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investment in wetland and upland habitat.",,2019-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Clay, Otter Tail, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-4,,,,
10019652,"Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 6",2022,3088000,"ML 2021, First Sp. Session, Ch. 1, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(d)","$3,088,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $288,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will permanently protect 606 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 300 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - This program will permanently protect 607 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 560 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced",,,384900,"Landowner donation of easement value and USFWS",3017300,70700,,0.66,MLT,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 6 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will result in the protection of 1,213 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative market-based landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection. In addition, a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Trust will restore/enhance 870 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations. ","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota's Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota's wildlife including Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan cite the protection and restoration of the state's remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State's conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. Minnesota Land Trust's Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker County northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system in western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota's duck factory and is central to one of North America's most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phase 5 of this program, the Land Trust has procured 25 conservation easements protecting 3,296 acres of habitat and 37.5 miles of shoreline. The Program has 1,650 acres of restoration/enhancement underway. Phase 6 will continue these accomplishments by restoring or enhancing 870 acres of important prairie and wetland habitats on private lands already protected within the Program area in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Land Trust will also work with FWS and landowners to develop additional shovel ready R/E projects. In addition, the Land Trust will protect 1,213 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals. The Land Trust will continue to implement a criteria-based ranking system and market-based approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase the full or partial value of an easement to complete key complexes as necessary. To focus our easement protection work, we used the Prairie Plan and other data sets and plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the nexus of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, as well as agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investments in wetland and upland habitat projects. ",,2021-07-01,2025-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Kandiyohi, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Wilkin","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-6,,,,
10017837,"Wetland Habitat and Protection Program - Phase 5",2021,2683000,"ML 2020, Ch. 104, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(c )","$2,683,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $240,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan. ","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will permanently protect 411 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 312 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - This program will permanently protect 412 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 630 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced",,,372000,"Landowner donation of easement value and USFWS",2590400,92600,,1.3,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 5 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will result in the protection of 1,040 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative market-based landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection. In addition, a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Trust will restore/enhance 942 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations.","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota's Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota's wildlife?including Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan?cite the protection and restoration of the state's remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State's conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. Minnesota Land Trust's Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker County northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system in western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota's ?duck factory? and is central to one of North America's most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phase 3 of this program, the Land Trust has procured 20 conservation easements protecting nearly 2,796 acres of habitat and 133,387 feet of shoreline (>25 miles). Phase 5 will build on these accomplishments by broadening the Program's focus to include ? along with wetland protection ? habitat restoration and enhancement. In a partnership between the Land Trust and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, this proposal will restore/enhance 942 acres of important prairie and wetland habitat on private lands already protected within the Program area. In addition, the Land Trust will protect 823 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals. The Land Trust will continue to implement a criteria-based ranking system and market approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase the full or partial value of an easement to complete key complexes as necessary. To focus our easement protection work, we used the Prairie Plan and other data sets and plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the nexus of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, as well as agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investments in wetland and upland habitat projects.",,2020-07-01,,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 917-6292",wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-and-protection-program-phase-5,,,,
20715,"Wetland Habitat Protection Program",2014,1980000,"ML 2013, Ch. 137, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(e)","$1,980,000 in the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements in high-priority wetland complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Up to $280,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"Protected in easement 1,962 acres ",,1209700,"Donated easement value",1965700,,,1,"MN Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Fourteen conservation easements were completed by this program resulting in the protection of 1,962 acres of high quality wetland and associated upland habitat complexes and 78,596 feet (approximately 15 miles) of shoreland along priority lakes and rivers in west-central Minnesota. This program exceeded by 862 acres the amount proposed for the grant. Total leverage through donated easements by landowners is estimated at $1,209,700, all in excess of that proposed.",,"Of all of Minnesota’s wildlife habitat types, wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of the amphibians and birds listed in Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy as species in greatest conservation need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle.  Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota’s wildlife—including Minnesota’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, Minnesota Prairie Plan and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan—cite the protection and restoration the state’s remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State’s conservation goals.  Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. In this first phase of its Wetland Habitat Protection Program, the Land Trust concentrated its activities toward protecting through conservation easements the important wetland and associated upland habitats within its Edge of the Prairie Critical Landscape. This landscape, which extends from Meeker County northwest to Becker County, is located at the edge of the once vast prairies of western Minnesota as they transition to the woods and forests that dominate the eastern portion of the State.  The prairie pothole lakes and associated wetlands within this landscape form the backbone of one of the continent’s most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through this grant, the Land Trust protected 1,962 acres of high priority wetland and associated upland habitats and nearly 15 miles of shoreland along lakes, streams and rivers by acquiring conservation easements from willing landowners. This exceeded the proposed target output by 862 acres. The program targeted projects that helped fill gaps in existing public ownership, contained the highest-quality habitat, and provided the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust accepted three fully donated easements, negotiated bargain sale purchases for an additional ten easements, and purchased one at full appraised value. Total leverage from donated value of the easements is placed at $1,209,705, all in excess of that proposed. This value was substantiated in all fourteen easements through appraisals. The success of the program in producing high levels of donated value was due in part to both the high levels of interest among landowners in participating in the program, and the use of a novel ranking system and market-based approach for purchasing conservation easements. This market-based approach was developed through the Land Trust's work with St. John’s University in the Avon Hills.  Under this system, potential parcels for easement purchase were prioritized based on their value to wetland protection, proximity to other protected parcels, MCBS data and other appropriate criteria while allowing targeted landowners to select the price necessary for them to protect their property with an easement. Those properties with the best ratio of environmental benefits to easement cost became the highest priority for acquisition.  Through this grant, the Land Trust has significantly built on its past 15 years of conservation impact in protecting important wetland complexes in this landscape. This work continues through Phase 2 of this program, with funding from the Outdoor Heritage Fund to continue our work in building on the successes of this initial phase, and to secure an additional 750 acres of wetland habitat in west-central Minnesota. ",2013-07-01,2017-06-30,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave. W. Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-917-6292,wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Douglas, Meeker, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-program,,,,
35074,"Wetland Habitat Protection Program – Phase 2",2017,1629000,"ML 2016, Ch. 172, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(d)","$1,629,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $180,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the final report. ",,"300 wetland acres, 44 prairie acres, 571 forest acres, and 108 habitat acres for a total of 1023 acres protected in easement. ",,387000,"Landowner ",1574700,47900,,0.47,"Minnestoa Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Protect 750 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota’s Prairie/Forest-Prairie areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized complexes using an innovative project ranking and payment system to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage. ",,"Minnesota Land Trust’s Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system at the edge of the of western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota’s “duck factory” and is central to one of North America’s most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. In this second phase of its Wetland Habitat Protection Program, the Land Trust focused its activities toward the protection of important wetland/upland complexes of habitat within the program area. In Phase 2 of this program, the Land Trust protected 1,026 acres of high priority wetland and associated upland habitats and nearly 17.56 miles of shoreland along lakes, streams and rivers by acquiring conservation easements from willing landowners. This exceeded the proposed target output by 276 acres. The Land Trust accepted one fully donated easement, negotiated bargain sale purchases on an additional four easements, and purchased four at full appraised value. Total leverage from donated value of the easements is placed at $386,975, in excess of that proposed. This value was substantiated in all nine easements through appraisals. The success of the program in producing high levels of donated value was due in part to both the high levels of interest among landowners in participating in the program, and the use of a market-based approach to incentivize landowners to contribute in this fashion. The program targeted projects that helped fill gaps in existing public ownership, contained the highest-quality habitat, and provided the greatest leverage to the state. Landowners submitted applications to the program via a RFP process, whereby proposals were evaluated based on a combination ecological factors (size of the property, condition of wetland and associated upland habitat, proximity to other protected lands, and other factors); landowners were also asked to submit the level of funding necessary for them to participate in the program. Those properties with the best ratio of environmental benefits to easement cost became the highest priority for acquisition. Nine properties were protected through this Phase 2 grant, including the following (each of which more thoroughly illustrated through a project summary sheet that is uploaded as part of this final report): Cooks Lake (Vergas Trail Timberlands, LLC) - This 116-acre property builds on a large complex of private lands protected by conservation easements along the shore of Cooks Lake in Otter Tail County. The total complex now totals 760 acres. The property protects high quality mesic hardwood forests, wetlands, and 4,072 feet of shoreline on Cooks Lake. Little Crow Lake (Kluck) - This spectacular 263-acre property encompasses nearly the entirety (13,719 feet of shoreline) of Little Crow Lake in Otter Tail County. Mesic hardwood forest, wetlands and grasslands are draped across the rugged hills of the property, providing habitat for a variety of SGCN including common loon and trumpeter swan. Little Pine Lake (Durrant) - Duel Creek, a designated trout stream, winds its way through this 164-acre forested property in Todd County. The property contains nearly all of the fishable reach (6,726 feet) of this trout stream, one of only four in Todd County. The property is dominated by hardwood forests on rugged, rolling terrain. Mineral Lake (Harris) - This 126-acre easement in Otter Tail County comprises much of a large, forested peninsula extending into Mineral Lake. Basswood-Bur Oak-(Green Ash) forests, wetlands, and 20,924 feet of shoreland are protected through this impressive property. Sauk River (Dodge-Dunker) - This 71-acre easement is one of three contiguous properties along the Sauk River in Stearns County protected through this grant. The property is a mix of floodplain forests, marshland and dry savanna on the slopes of an esker, and includes 6,321 feet of shoreline along the Sauk River. Sauk River (Klehr Trust & Klehr) - This 37-acre easement in Stearns County contains high quality floodplain forests located along nearly 2 miles of the Sauk River and its meandered channels and oxbows. Sauk River (Klehr) - This 82-acre property in Stearns County contains extensive floodplain forests along three miles of the Sauk River. The property contains a mixture of floodplain forest, marshland and dry savanna. Sauk River (Lindell) - This 77-acre easement protects nearly one-half mile of shoreline along the Sauk River and abuts the Cold Spring Heron Colony SNA in Stearns County. Restoration of a degraded fen is underway in a joint project between the Minnesota DNR, The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Land Trust and Sauk River Watershed District. Spitzer Lake (Burkett) - This 87-acre project located on the shores of Long Lake and Spitzer Lake in Otter Tail County is part of a complex of protected lands totaling over 3,000 acres. The property contains over 9,145 feet of shoreline, mesic hardwood forest and grasslands. Landowner interest for the program has increased significantly over the course of this grant, with in excess of 50 landowners applying through our November 2018 RFP. Across Phases 1 and 2 of this program, the Land Trust has protected 2,990 acres of important wildlife habitat and 32.4 miles of shoreline, while leveraging $1,596,680 in landowner donation of easement value. ",,2021-08-24,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Kris,Larson,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Ave. W. ","St. Paul",MN,55114,"(651) 647-9590",klarson@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-program-phase-2,,,,
10035269,"Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 9",2025,2128000,"ML 2024, Ch. 106, Art. 1, Sec. 2, Subd. 4(g)","$2,128,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes within the prairie, forest/prairie transition, and forest ecoregions.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will restore/enhance 407 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres acres restored; acres enhanced. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - This program will restore/enhance 576 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres acres restored; acres enhanced",,,1050500,USFWS,1993000,135000,,1.35,MLT,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","The Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program implements conservation of high priority wetland habitat complexes within Minnesota's Prairie, Forest-Prairie Transition and Northern Forest areas. Phase 9 of the Wetlands Program will focus on restoration and enhancement of 983 acres of high priority wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations. Restoration and enhancement work will be managed by the Minnesota Land Trust, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All restorations are on private lands permanently protected through conservation easements held by the USFWS and the Land Trust.","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota's Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota's wildlife - including Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan - cite the protection and restoration of the state's remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State's conservation goals. Minnesota Land Trust's Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program area extends from Meeker County northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system in western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota's ""duck factory"" and is central to one of North America's most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. To date, the Land Trust has procured 39 conservation easements protecting 5,785 acres of habitat and 57.5 miles of shoreline, and has 4,350 acres of restoration/enhancement complete or underway. Phase 9 will add to these accomplishments by restoring or enhancing 983 acres of important prairie and wetland habitats on permanently protected private lands in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Land Trust and USFWS will also work with landowners to develop additional shovel ready R/E projects. The Land Trust will continue to implement our criteria-based ranking system and market-based approach for purchasing conservation easements. However, unlike all previous phases, the Land Trust is not requesting easement acquisition funding in this Phase in order to continue to fulfill Accomplishment Plan Outputs for previous phases recommended by LSOHC. The Prairie Plan and other data sets/plans were used to focus and shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the nexus of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, and agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investments in wetland and upland habitat conservation.",,2024-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-917-6292,wostlie@mnland.org,Restoration/Enhancement,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region, Northern Forest",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-9,,,,
10006508,"Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 3",2019,1786000,"ML 2018, Ch. 208, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd 4(d)","$1,786,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $240,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.",,"This program addresses LSOHC priorities by protecting and restoring shallow lakes, wetland/grassland complexes, and shoreland that provide critical habitat for Minnesota's wildlife, especially its migratory waterfowl and associated species. Wetlands are essential to the health and diversity of Minnesota's wildlife. This project directly benefited numerous SGCN and other important game/non-game species by minimizing the potential threats to their habitat caused by detrimental agricultural practices, residential or commercial development, or imprudent land management. Wetland habitat complexes were targeted for protection through a ranking system that prioritized projects based on three primary ecological factors: 1) quality of habitat; 2) proximity to other protected lands; and 3) size of the parcel. Five properties totaling 666 acres were protected through conservation easement under this grant, including: Pelican Lake (Pelican River Land Company) - A 165-acre property in Otter Tail County protecting maple-basswood forest, wetlands, and 11,404 feet of shoreline along Fish Lake. The easement was fully donated by the landowner. Minnesota Woman (Peterson) - A 314-acre project in Otter Tail County protecting grasslands, deciduous forest, wetlands, and 19,151 feet of shoreline along the Pelican River and two unnamed lakes. Lake Christina (Johnson) - A 40-acre property in Grant County protecting 39 acres of forest, wetlands, and 2,893 of shoreline along Pelican Lake, a sister lake to Lake Christina, the renowned historic canvasback stopover. The property is within the Lake Crhistina Prairie Core Area of the MN Prairie Plan. Pomme de Terre (Evavold) - A 73-acre property protecting rolling, forested hills, grassland, open water, and 6,699 feet of shoreline along two unnamed lakes. The property is within the Alexandria Moraine-Lake Christina Hills Corridor of the MN Prairie Plan. Rocky Mountain Lake (Rocky Mountain Sportsmen) - A 75-acre project protecting deciduous forest and 9,796 feet of shoreline along Rocky Mountain and Skanning lakes in Pope and Kandiyohi counties. The property lies within the Glacial Lake Prairie Core Area of the MN Prairie Plan. Fourteen properties totaling 954 acres of wetlands/prairie were restored or enhanced under this grant, 13 on USFWS easements and 1 on an MLT easement.","A total of 1,620 acres were affected: 493 Restored, 0 in Fee Title, 666 in Easements, 461 in Enhance.",10398200,"Private landowner donation of easement value, USFWS R/E cash match and USFWS Staff In Kind",1724700,59900,,0.54,"Minnesota Land Trust","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Through its Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 3 grant, the Minnesota Land Trust protected 666 acres and restored/ enhanced 954 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes and working with partners in restoration/enhancement. The Land Trust used its market-based landowner bid model to maximize both conservation benefit and financial leverage in conservation easement project selection; over the duration of the grant, landowners donated over $10,300,000 in easement value to the program (4,619% of that proposed).","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota's Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota's wildlife - including Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan - cite the protection and restoration of the state's remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State's conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. Minnesota Land Trust's Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system at the edge of the of western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota's ""duck factory"" and is central to one of North America's most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phases 1 and 2 of this program, the Land Trust procured 10 conservation easements protecting nearly 1,800 acres of habitat and 70,000 feet of shoreline. Phase 3 will build on these accomplishments by broadening the Program's focus to include - along with wetland protection - habitat restoration and enhancement. Through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the Land Trust restored/enhanced 954 acres of important prairie and wetland habitat on private lands already protected within the Program area. In addition, the Land Trust protect 666 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program was closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals. The Land Trust implemented a criteria-based ranking system and market approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program targeted projects that helped complete gaps in existing public ownership, were of the highest ecological value, and provided the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust sought donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also purchased easements that help complete key complexes. To focus our easement protection work, we used the Minnesota Prairie Plan and other data sets/plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes based on the intersection of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas, and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes included a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, and at times agricultural land. Outcomes from this project included: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investment in wetland and upland habitat protection.",,2018-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund",Completed,,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-917-6292,wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-3,,,,
10033417,"Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program - Phase 7",2023,3330000,"ML 2022, Ch. 77, Art. 1, Sec. 2, subd. 4(b)","$3,330,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance prairie, wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation easements within high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie and forest/prairie transition regions. Of this amount, up to $240,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund, as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.","Protected, restored, and enhanced nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl, upland birds, and species of greatest conservation need - This program will permanently protect 572 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 603 acres of wetlands and prairies in the forest-prairie transition region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced. Remnant native prairies and wetlands are perpetually protected and adequately buffered - This program will permanently protect 572 acres of wetland and upland habitat complexes and restore/enhance 356 acres of wetlands and prairies in the prairie region. Measure: Acres protected; acres restored; acres enhanced",,,426700,"Landowners Donation of Easement Value and USFWS",3204300,125700,,1.5,MLT,"Non-Profit Business/Entity","Phase 7 of the Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will result in the protection of 1,144 acres of high priority wetland habitat complexes in Minnesota's Prairie and Forest-Prairie Transition areas by securing permanent conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes. The Minnesota Land Trust will use its innovative market-based landowner bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in protection project selection. In addition, a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Trust will restore/enhance 992 acres of wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations.","Wetlands and shallow lakes provide the essential backbone for the survival of waterfowl and other important wildlife species. In fact, more than 50% of Minnesota's Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) use wetlands during their life cycle. Most of the plans developed to protect Minnesota's wildlife? including Minnesota's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan, and the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan"" cite the protection and restoration of the state's remaining wetlands as one of the top priorities to achieve the State's conservation goals. Moreover, these plans cite the use of conservation easements on private lands as one of the primary strategies to protect important wetland and shallow lake habitat. Minnesota Land Trust's Wetlands Habitat Protection Program area extends from Meeker County northwest to Becker County, located along a vast glacial moraine system in western Minnesota. This prairie pothole country is the core of Minnesota's ""duck factory"" and is central to one of North America's most important flyways for migratory waterfowl. Through Phase 6 of this program, the Land Trust has procured 28 conservation easements protecting 3,856 acres of habitat and 41.8 miles of shoreline. The Program has 1,030 acres of restoration/enhancement underway. Phase 7 will continue these accomplishments by restoring or enhancing 956 acres of important prairie and wetland habitats on private lands already protected within the Program area in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Land Trust will also work with FWS and landowners to develop additional shovel ready R/E projects. In addition, the Land Trust will protect 1,144 acres of new priority wetland and associated upland habitat through conservation easements. The Program will be closely coordinated with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to ensure this Program meets multi-agency conservation goals. The Land Trust will continue to implement a criteria-based ranking system and market-based approach for purchasing conservation easements. The Program will continue to target projects that help complete gaps in existing public ownership, are of the highest ecological value, and provide the greatest leverage to the state. The Land Trust will seek donated easements in these areas whenever possible but also may purchase the full or partial value of an easement to complete key complexes as necessary. To focus our easement protection work, we used the Prairie Plan and other data sets and plans to shape our Wetlands Program plan and identify important wetland complexes in this landscape based on the nexus of high-quality habitat, existing protected areas and restorable agricultural lands. These complexes include a mosaic of wetland, prairie/grassland, and forest habitats, as well as agricultural land. Outcomes from this project include: 1) healthy wetland habitat complexes and associated populations of waterfowl, upland birds, and SGCN; 2) improved water quality; 3) increased participation of private landowners in habitat conservation projects; and 4) enhancement of prior public investments in wetland and upland habitat projects.",,2022-07-01,1970-01-01,"Outdoor Heritage Fund","In Progress",,,Wayne,Ostlie,"Minnesota Land Trust","2356 University Avenue W Suite 240","St. Paul",MN,55114,651-917-6292,wostlie@mnland.org,"Land Acquisition","Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Big Stone, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Otter Tail, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Todd","Forest Prairie Transition, Prairie Region",,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/wetland-habitat-protection-and-restoration-program-phase-7,,,,
10031424,"YES! Students Step Up To Reduce Carbon Footprint",2025,199000,"M.L. 2024, Chp. 83, Sec. 2, Subd. 05m","$199,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center to empower Minnesota youth to reduce their carbon footprints through education from local experts and completion of student-driven and community-based team projects.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.","Click on 'Work Plan' under 'Project Details'.",,,,,,,2.34,"Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center","Non-Profit Business/Entity","YES! (Youth Eco Solutions) will empower Minnesota youth to reduce their carbon footprints by losing 5,000 pounds of CO2 per YES team each school year.",,"Work Plan ",2024-07-01,2026-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund","In Progress",,,Kalley,Pratt,"Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center","12718 10th Street NE",Spicer,MN,56288-9314,"(320) 354-5894",kalley@yesmn.org,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine",,,https://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/yes-students-step-reduce-carbon-footprint,,,,
10003534,"Youth-led Sustainability Initiatives in 40 Greater Minnesota Communities",2015,350000,"M.L. 2014, Chp. 226, Sec. 2, Subd. 09b","$350,000 the second year is from the rust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center and Laurentian Environmental Learning Center to complete over 100 youth-led sustainability action projects in 40 communities in southwest, southeast, central and northeastern Minnesota.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.","Click on Work Plan under Project Details.",,,,350000,,,6.74,"Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center","Non-Profit Business/Entity","Adoption of renewable energy technologies and energy conservation practices can contribute in a variety of ways to the environmental and economic health of rural Minnesota communities through costs savings and emissions reductions. Engaging and coaching students as the leaders in the process of implementing such practices provides the added benefit of increasing knowledge, teaching about potential career paths, and developing leadership experience. Using this appropriation the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center and its partners are expanding an existing program called the Youth Energy Summit (YES!) to engage approximately 650 students in implementing 150 additional youth-led renewable energy and energy conservation projects in over 40 communities in central, northeastern, southwestern, and southeastern Minnesota. These projects will be driven by collaboration between students, community members, and local businesses and organizations.",,http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/projects/2014/work_plans/2014_09b.pdf,2014-07-01,2016-06-30,"Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund",Completed,,,Dave,Pederson,"Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center","12718 10th Street NE",Spicer,MN,56288,"(320) 354-5894",d.pederson@tds.net,,"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources",,"Aitkin, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Waseca, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Yellow Medicine",,,http://www.legacy.mn.gov/projects/youth-led-sustainability-initiatives-40-greater-minnesota-communities-0,,,,