OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS The goal of this project was to improve habitat for waterfowl and other species that utilize wetlands on the Leech Lake Reservation in addition to analyzing a long term wild rice data set to determine if waterfowl numbers are influenced by rice abundance. A number of techniques were utilized to accomplish this work.
OVERALL PROJECT OUTCOME AND RESULTS This 2010 grant was supplemental to the sixth phase (2009) of our Shorelands Protection project. This grant provided acquisition capital needed to complete two urgent projects that otherwise we would not have been able to complete. One project protects important shoreline along Lake Superior, while the other project protects shoreline along the Little Pine River. Collectively, these two easements protect 99 acres of critical habitat and protect more than 7,000 feet of fragile shoreline.
DU will help state and federal wildlife conservation agencies protect (Part 3c) managed shallow lakes for waterfowl wildlife within HCP project areas by securing permanent DU conservation easements.
Pheasants Forever provides coordination, mapping, and data management for the Habitat Corridors Partnership. Funds are being used to coordinate the partnership, guide strategic outreach and implementation efforts, manage project data, and provide reporting and mapping of accomplishments.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is working within the Leech Lake Reservation boundaries to address loss and degradation of aquatic habitat for wild rice and waterfowl. Efforts will include regulating water levels on shallow lakes by controlling beaver activity and conducting periodic water level draw-downs, reseeding of approximately 200 acres of wild rice, and implementing adaptive management based on analysis of wild rice productivity.
An estimated 200 acres of lands acquired through this phase of the Habitat Corridors Partnership are expected to be transferred to the state for designation as Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is using these funds to conduct habitat restoration on these new WMA lands, as well as develop the infrastructure necessary for public access to them.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is coordinating efforts to improve habitat for aquatic species and protect water quality on lakes, streams, and their surrounding sensitive shorelands. A total of up to 3.5 miles or 35 acres of water bodies in Kandiyohi, Otter Tail, Rice, or Stevens Counties are expected to benefit from restoration activities including installation of aeration systems, development of spawning areas, installation of native vegetation, and stabilization of stream banks.
Friends of the Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District is using these funds to restore approximately 50 acres of prairie pothole wetlands in Clay and Becker Counties. Efforts aim to create wildlife habitat for waterfowl and other species and reduce downstream flooding of the Red River Valley by increasing the capacity of the land to hold and store water from spring runoff and severe storms.
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.
This appropriation is enabling Ducks Unlimited to help state and federal wildlife conservation agencies protect and restore shallow lakes for waterfowl. Conservation easements will be acquired on approximately 150 acres of privately owned shoreland and up to 60 acres of lands previously converted for cropping will be restored back to wildlife habitat. Lands being considered for permanent protection in this round of funding are located in Beltrami, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Meeker, Pope, Stearns, Swift, and Wright counties.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Ducks Unlimited are working together to provide technical assistance to landowners that that will result in the protection of approximately 2,500 acres of prairies and wetlands in southern and western Minnesota. As a result of this appropriation, an estimated $4 million of additional funding for conservation is anticipated to be provided in match by the federal Wetland Reserve Program.
There funds are enabling Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee title approximately 86 acres of habitat along the borders of existing Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) or Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) in LeSueur, Lincoln, or Rice counties and convey the lands to a public agency for long term stewardship and protection. These strategic acquisitions will leverage and expand the existing habitat, water quality, and recreation benefits already provided by existing protected lands.
The Trust for Public Land is using this appropriation to acquire in fee title approximately 44 acres of high quality habitat and convey it the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for long-term stewardship and protection. Priority will be given to shoreland and other lands that provide natural buffers to water resources. Lands being considered for permanent protection in this round of funding are located in Hubbard, Kandiyohi, LeSueur, and Rice counties.
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust is using this appropriation to purchase a total of approximately 80 acres of high quality grasslands and wetlands in Blue Earth or Le Sueur County to be managed as a federal Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) in the Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District.
An estimated 400 acres acquired by other Habitat Corridors Partnership (HCP) partners is expected to be transferred to the DNR for long-term management during this phase of the partnership. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is using these funds to cover professional services costs associated with these property transfers.
This project will sample and monitor 18 sites for chemical, physical and bacteriological parameters for two years in coordination with the 2015-16 Surface Water Assessment Grant (SWAG) work plan proposal. Headwaters Science Center (HSC) will be the project lead and recruit volunteer students from Trek North, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig, and Deer Lake high schools as well as to two AmeriCorps volunteer crews. An experienced Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) environmental scientist will be the project lead responsible for oversight and full compliance to MPCA protocols.
This project will conduct water quality monitoring at 12 stream sampling sites. The sites will be monitored for chemical, physical, and bacteriological parameters over a two year time-period. The Headwaters Science Center (HSC) will be the lead agency and arrange volunteer cooperation from Trek North, Bemidji, Perham and/or Detroit Lakes High School students and their instructors. The HSC project lead will be responsible for oversight and full compliance to MPCA protocols.
North Minneapolis has been dealing with a surge in gun violence and the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, post pandemic. Three months ago, a tragic incident occurred when a community member was murdered on the Emerson sidewalk, right in front of Juxtaposition Arts' (JXTA) campus. This was the first murder on our campus in 20 years, marking a significant and distressing moment for our community.
The crisis is the consistent loss of life experienced in the Twin Cities due to gun violence, addiction and systemic oppression of marginalized people. Within the last few weeks, we've seen a Black police officer gunned down on the job and a non-verbal child found dead. The impact on the Black community is that we're hurting and normalizing the trauma because we see it so often. Many have become desensitized or seek substances to numb their pain.
We will collect native seed throughout Minnesota's prairie region, study microbial effects on plant survival, estimate the geographic scale and rate of adaptation, and communicate results aiding restoration and propagation.
Market Bucks is a nutrition incentive program designed to help SNAP customers increase their purchasing power at farmers markets, mobile markets, CSAs and with direct marketing farmers. SNAP customers can use their EBT card and receive a dollar-for-dollar match on all SNAP spending at farmers markets, up to $10 per visit. Customers also receive up to an additional $10 in federally funded Produce Market Bucks, further increasing their purchasing power specifically for fruits and vegetables.
Voices of Cultura, amplify arts, culture, and heritage through LatinX Arts In Minnesota. Murals are mirrors of community with imagery, traditions, and ceremonies embedded within the stories shared. Writing circles create spaces for underrepresented LatinX/BIPOC communities to experience an affirming space with LatinX-focused activities to increase connectivity with arts, culture, and heritage. LatinX and BIPOC communities' cultural pride and honor will be elevated and celebrated.
