Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor

The Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor has long been a conservation target of Washington County, DNR, Minnesota Land Trust and other conservation organizations due to its rich forest habitat and its abundant clear lakes which are currently completely undeveloped—a rare feature in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. The Minnesota Land Trust and Washington County have formed a partnership to complete this first phase of the Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor Project by securing a perpetual conservation easement on 369 acres which forms the critical core of the larger 2,700 acre Corridor. We intend to complete the full 735-acre project as initially proposed through additional leverage from program partners and existing OHF grants to the Land Trust (Metro Big Rivers 5, 6 and 7), with outcomes split proportionately among this (369 acres) and these other associated grants (366 acres).This first phase of the Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor Project, known as the “Terrapin Lakes Site”, will cover 369 acres of high quality habitat and more than 5 miles of shoreline that Warner Nature Center will own at the time of the easement. This project will ensure that the core wildlife habitat area of the Corridor will be protected forever from development, fragmentation and poor land management. This project represents a unique window in time due to having a motivated landowner in Warner Nature Center and to Washington County's commitment to dedicate funds from its Land and Water Legacy Fund. There is nothing that currently legally protects the property from development. The terms of the conservation easement will ensure the property's protection for generations to come. This first phase of the project at the Terrapin Lakes Site is specifically noted as having: • Oak and maple-basswood forest habitat identified as having high-quality biodiversity by the DNR due to its undisturbed canopy and significant age;• High biodiversity for species in greatest conservation need such as Blanding's Turtle, the Common Snapping Turtle and Eastern Fox Snake, the Red-shouldered Hawk, Bald Eagle, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, and American Woodcock;• Nearly 5 miles of shoreline and riparian habitat on North and South Terrapin, Mays and Clear Lakes;• High quality water discharge and recharge areas which help maintain aquatic habitat and water quality; and• High quality undeveloped shallow (Upper Terrapin) and deep (Mays and Lower Terrapin) lakes.This project represents an urgent and important protection opportunity due to the landowner's current interest in conservation and to the commitment of Washington County to participate in funding the project through its Land and Water Legacy Program. We anticipate >50% of the easement's acquisition costs to be funded by non-state sources, making this a very high leverage project for the Outdoor Heritage Fund. And while the project will not specifically require public access, more than 15,000 children and adults experience the site's unique and abundant wildlife habitat each year through Warner Nature Center's programs.