HCP VI Supplemental - Acquisition and Restoration - 2n/4f
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS
The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) 2010 ENRTF appropriation focused on habitat restoration/enhancement in critical corridors and landscapes identified by TNC and the Habitat Conservation Partnership. This program allowed us to significantly accelerate our work to maintain and enhance Minnesota's prairies, savannas, and wetlands using prescribed fire and surveying/treating invasive species. Other efforts focused on restoring sand prairies and long-lived conifers in landscapes where these are threatened. Our goal in this phase was to restore 2,415 acres. We were able to complete work on 3,178 acres, including:
- 2,529 acres of prescribed fire was planned/implemented at 15 sites in the Northern Tallgrass Prairie and prairie-forest transition areas of Minnesota.
- 533 acres of invasive species were treated at 15 sites in the same areas.
- 75 acres of white pine and other long-lived conifers were replanted in forests along the North Shore.
- 41 acres of sand prairie were restored in Southeast Minnesota.
Not included in these totals, but still valuable, were preparations for future prescribed burns on 240 acres and surveys for invasive species on over 7,000 further acres. Both will contribute to future conservation results. In addition, this support from the Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund allowed TNC to bring an additional $54,284 in private and non-state public dollars for conservation work in these critical places.
$1,344,000 is added to Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), from the trust fund for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements. Of this appropriation, $308,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $1,036,000 is for agreements as follows: $425,000 with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; $50,000 with National Wild Turkey Federation; $164,000 with the Nature Conservancy; $102,000 with Minnesota Land Trust; $200,000 with the Trust for Public Land; $45,000 with Friends of Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District; and $50,000 to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe 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 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.
Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".
Click on "Final Report" under "Project Details".