Over the past several years six environmental learning centers located around the state - Audubon Center of the North Woods, Deep Portage Learning Center, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Laurentian Environmental Learning Center, Long Lake Conservation Center and Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center – have been implementing demonstrations of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy on their campuses for use as educational tools for the thousands of students and visitors that come to the centers each year.
Overall Project Outcome and Results
To better understand the recharge dynamics of the Mt. Simon aquifer the western edge of this aquifer was investigated through observation well installations, water level monitoring, groundwater chemical analysis, and aquifer capacity testing. Most data collected for this study are derived from the 27 observation wells, drilled to depths of 70 to 718 feet, that were installed at 14 locations by contracted drilling companies.
Oftentimes water conservation efforts are directed toward impaired waters. However, it is much more cost-effective to protect habitat and water resources before they become degraded. The Nature Conservancy is using this appropriation to create a broader, long-term, watershed-based framework for proactively protecting habitat and water resources in southeast MN, specifically the Cannon River and Zumbro River watersheds, before they become degraded.
Overall Project Outcome Results:
The overall objective of this project was to accelerate stream restoration in Southeast Minnesota by building the capacity of county and federal conservation staff and private citizens to implement future projects.
The Minnesota Forest Zone Trappers Association (MFZTA) is requesting an $85,000 grant to complete a site evaluation and a master plan for the Sportsmen?s Training and Development Center.
Development of Mississippi River access that includes improved access to the national Mississippi River Trail and hiking trails, natural resource restoration, and cultural resource management.
Fairmont’s drinking water safety is threatened by high springtime nitrate levels. Fairmont intends to build an experimental passive biological treatment system to reduce nitrates that enter its source water supply.
Native trout require clean, cold water that usually originates from springs, but the springs feeding the 173 designated trout streams in southeastern Minnesota are under increasing pressure from current and expected changes in land use. This joint effort by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is working to identify and map the springs and the areas that feed water to these springs and to learn how these waters might be affected by development and water use.
Natural springs occur throughout Minnesota and provide critical services for the state, such as creating trout streams and cool water fisheries, sustaining base flows in streams, creating unique ecological habitats, and maintaining the integrity of aquatic ecosystems against invasive species. In order to protect springs and the groundwater-dependent resources that depend on them, though, it is important to understand spring locations and status – information that is currently lacking in many areas of the state.
Minnesota’s extensive state park and trail system, the second oldest in the country, is currently comprised of a total of 76 state parks and recreation areas and 13 state trails scattered throughout the state. Some of Minnesota’s state parks and trails have privately owned lands within the designated park boundaries or trail corridors. Purchase of these lands from willing landowners for addition to the state park and trail system makes them permanently available for public recreation and enjoyment and facilitates more efficient management.
Privately owned lands exist within the designated boundaries of state parks throughout Minnesota. Purchase of these lands from willing landowners for addition into the state park system makes them permanently available for public recreation and enjoyment and facilitates more efficient management. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is using this appropriation to acquire 87 acres in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, located northeast of Brainerd, and 17 acres in Whitewater State Park, located between Rochester and Winona.
Project Overview Minnesota, which was recently named "Best Trails State" in the country, is host to numerous state trails providing a variety of different outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the state. This appropriation is allowing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to acquire land expanding two of these state trails: the Brown's Creek segment of the Willard Munger Trail in Washington County and the Paul Bunyan Trail along Lake Bemidji.
Funds from this appropriation were directed wholly toward the Division of Parks & Trails (PAT) resource management program. The PAT resource management program was established in 1978 and is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing natural/cultural resource management efforts on division-administered lands. PAT administers approximately 250,000 acres of land, of which less than 5% is developed as campgrounds, roads/trails or other use areas.
Acquire top priority in-holdings within legislatively established boundaries of Minnesota's 75 State Parks and State Recreation Areas and 26 State Trails from willing sellers
Minnesota's Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) Program is an effort to preserve and perpetuate the state's ecological diversity and ensure that no single rare feature is lost from any region of the state. This includes unique landforms, fossil remains, plant and animal communities, rare and endangered species, or other unique biotic or geological features. These sites play an important role in scientific study, public education, and outdoor recreation.
Pioneer PBS will produce 26 new episodes of a statewide television series designed to inspire Minnesotans to connect with the outdoors and to restore and protect our valuable natural resources.
Develop pilot programs to increase mattress recycling, pilot curbside furniture recycling program, and evaluate the effectiveness of mattress and furniture recycling to reduce the impact of disposal on the environment.
Pioneer PBS will produce 26 new episodes of a statewide television series designed to inspire Minnesotans to connect with the outdoors and to restore and protect our valuable natural resources.
Accurate inventories are needed to facilitate carbon market entry for forestland owners. An estimated 800 plot-based inventories will be collected from private forestland to expand all-lands lidar forest inventory
Minnesota Lakes Rivers, MLR will contain starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in the 16 lakes (31 accesses) where it currently exists using civic organizing, waterless boat cleaning stations, and social messaging.
This project will conserve the State's natural resources by bolstering the reuse business network, providing individual business assistance and influencing consumer behavior to prioritize reuse, repair and rental.
Renew and rebuild the Superior Hiking Trail to minimize environmental damage, maximize safety, and increase resistance to impacts of increased traffic and climate change.
Minnesota’s environment is changing in response to a variety of stressors – including population growth, residential development, industry, agriculture, invasive species, and climate change – and the state’s iconic lakes, and the goods and services they provide (e.g., fishing and water recreation), are an important part of what’s being impacted. To manage effectively for these changes it is important to understand how the state’s many lakes respond to these stressors.
Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail connection through Interstate Park to Taylors Falls City Hall. Build 180 bridge and trail segment A&B as illustrated. Segment C reviews and engineering only.
