Running through the Iron Range of northeastern Minnesota, the Mesabi Trail provides a recreational and alternate transportation corridor for hikers, bikers, skiers, and horseback riders, as well as some designated snow snowmobile use areas. When completed the trail will include 145 paved miles extending from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Ely – 115 miles have been finished to date. The St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority are using this appropriation to develop 11 miles of trail segments near Vermilion State Park.
This project is for the construction of an approximately 5.5 mile-long segment of the Mesabi Trail beginning at the City of McKinley and ending at the City of Biwabik.
This project is for the construction of an approximately 2.8 mile long segment of the Mesabi Trail beginning at the intersection of County State Aid Highway 88 to Ely.
The construction of an approximately 4.5 mile long segment of the Mesabi Trail beginning at the intersection of Wahlsten Road (CR 26) and Benson Road in Embarrass towards Tower.
Acquire properties with high-quality natural resources or natural resources restoration potential for the metropolitan Regional Parks System. This project will be matched over 100% with Council and local Agency funds.
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.
A state Breeding Bird Atlas is a comprehensive systematic field survey of the occurrence, distribution, diversity, and breeding status of bird species within every region of a state. Atlases are mainly used to set conservation priorities, develop conservation plans, and guide habitat protection, restoration, and management efforts – in addition to being useful for recreational bird watching. Minnesota is one of only seven states in the country that has yet to complete a Breeding Bird Atlas.
Morton, Minnesota is home to many unique natural, cultural, and historic sites, including sites from the US-Dakota War and some of the oldest exposed rock, called Morton Gneiss, on the planet. The City of Morton is using this appropriation to develop a municipal site along the Minnesota River in Morton to be converted into a public canoe landing and campground and a trail connection between the Minnesota River State Water Tail and natural and cultural sites in the area including the Morton Outcrop Scientific and Natural Area.
Pollinators play a key role in ecosystem function and in agriculture, including thousands of native plants and more than one hundred U.S. crops that either need or benefit from pollinators. However, pollinators are in dramatic decline in Minnesota and throughout the country. The causes of the decline are not completely understood, but identified factors include loss of nesting sites, fewer flowers, increased disease, and increased pesticide use.
This project is to focus on expanding recreational opportunities on Minnesotas State Trails through the development of new trail segments and/or the rehabilitation, improvement and enhancement of existing State Trails.
Minnesota State Parks and Trails land acquisition proposal is to acquire high priority parcels within legislatively authorized boundaries from willing sellers to protect Minnesota's environmental stewardship and enhance outdoor recreation.
The Minnesota Biological Survey (MBS) is an ongoing effort begun in 1987 by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that is systematically surveying, county-by-county, the state’s natural habitats. The effort identifies significant natural areas and collects and interprets data on the status, distribution, and ecology of plants, animals, and native plant communities throughout the state. To date, surveys have been completed in 81 of Minnesota’s 87 counties and nearly 20,000 records of rare features have been recorded.
The laws governing the drainage of Minnesota wetlands and other areas have been largely unchanged for more than a century. However, many other laws protecting public waters and wetlands and governing water use have been enacted as concerns about water quality and land use increase. Often these laws conflict. The Smith Partners Law Firm is analyzing the legal and policy issues surrounding Minnesota's drainage laws in order to make recommendations to the legislature on updating the laws to reflect the realities of the 21st century.
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.
MBS proposes baseline biological field surveys in three northern counties; targeted field surveys of sensitive plant species, pollinators, and plant communities; digital maps; book drafts; technical guidance; and data management.
The project will complete the Minnesota Spring Inventory, identifying, cataloging and assisting in the protection of important water springs threatened by overuse of groundwater, development, land-use changes, and changing climate.
Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) habitat restoration and improvements (1100+ acres), increased public involvement and strategic acquisition (500+ acres) will conserve Minnesota’s most unique and rare resources for everyone’s benefit.
Acquire high priority State Park, Recreation Area and Trail in-holding parcels from willing sellers to protect Minnesotas natural and cultural heritage, enhance outdoor recreation and promote tourism.
This project fulfills legislative direction to expand recreational opportunities on Minnesota State Trails through the development of new trail segments; and the rehabilitation and enhancement of existing State Trails.
The Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS) is an ongoing effort begun in 1987 by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that is systematically surveying, county-by-county, the state's natural habitats. The effort identifies significant natural areas and collects and interprets data on the status, distribution, and ecology of plants, animals, and native plant communities throughout the state. Through 2009 surveys have been completed in 74 of Minnesota's 87 counties and have added nearly 17,000 new records of rare features to the DNR's information systems.
Overall Project Outcome and Results
These were the first 2-years of an anticipated six-year effort which will result in a comprehensive, statewide survey documenting the breeding distribution of all species of birds in Minnesota. After six years the final atlas products will include the publication of a book and an interactive on-line atlas, both with detailed distribution maps, data on species breeding status, and a summary of data from other surveys. Full access to the information will be provided to the public as well as conservation agencies and organizations.
