This program annually evaluates a sample of up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects and provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law (M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10).
Minnesota's wetlands provide crucial habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, assist in flood control, and help maintain water quality. However, the state has lost half the wetlands that existed before European settlement and these drained wetlands have not been mapped as part of the National Wetlands Inventory. This appropriation is enabling efforts by Ducks Unlimited to provide a complement to the National Wetlands Inventory by identifying and mapping drained wetlands that have the potential to be restored to provide their various benefits once again.
Overall Project Outcome and Results
The Restorable Wetlands Inventory (RWI) is a complement to the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) completed in late-1980s by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. An administrative decision was made developing the original NWI not to map wetland basins in Minnesota identified as completely drained. The number and acreage of completely drained wetlands that were not mapped by the NWI process is significant.
The SRRWD has successfully acquired fee title to 257 acres of land that encompasses the headwaters of the Shell Rock River located at the Albert Lea Lake outlet. This 257 acre parcel will now be a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Management Area (AMA) guided by an Aquatic Management Plan.
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects and provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law (M.S. 97A.056, Subd. 10).
This project restored and enhanced rare and unique plant and animal communities identified by the DNR's County Biological Survey. Over 293 acres of prairie, forest, wetland were restored and enhanced. Ultimately, the county was able to approach or exceed the goal of 20% increase in diversity across all three habitats based on plant surveys conducted.
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty-five Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.
Audubon Minnesota is requesting $910,000 funds to enhance 440 acres and restore 34 acres of significant wildlife habitat on public and permanently protected private lands along the Saint Croix River valley. Our project and parcel prioritization criteria place an emphasis on areas that fall within Important Bird Areas (IBA) and priority areas identified by the Minnesota Wildlife Action Plan within Pine and Washington counties that border the Saint Croix River.
Restoring native mussel assemblages can improve water quality and ecological health of rivers. Mussels filter water, purifying and improving water clarity by removing particles and contaminants like E. coli bacteria.
Demonstrate, evaluate, and increase adoption of silvopasture - the combined use of tree, forage, and grazing management - as a method to restore and manage forests and savannas across Minnesota
With this grant, we were able to perform 195 acres of treatment within polygons resulting in the restoration or enhancement of 21 parcels. Overall treatment effort was even greater within wetlands (271 acres), with many areas receiving multiple overlapping treatments. Focusing our treatments on the most ecologically damaged areas allowed us to improve wetlands substantially, even if active treatment did not occur throughout every part of the parcel where invasives may not have occurred. 268+ acres had 50% of their areas treated, which we consider a standard for substantial restoration.
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty-five Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration and enhancement projects and provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law. Additional program communications focus on project outcomes, lessons learned and recommendations for improving restoration practice.
Ten .25-acre or larger resilient gardens throughout the metropolitan regional parks system will be planned, planted, and maintained involving stewardship volunteers, including underserved populations
By linking natural resource management, cultural heritage, and environmental education, we aim to restore an ecologically significant area of land while fostering multi-generational environmental stewardship and restoration of Indigenous culture.
Restoring native mussel assemblages can improve water quality and ecological health of rivers. Mussel filter water, purifying and improving water clarity by removing particles and contaminants like E. coli bacteria.
ABC will restore a minimum of 300 acres of deciduous forest in partnership with Aitkin, Beltrami and Cass Counties, utilizing science-based BMPs to rejuvenate non-commercial stands for focal wildlife species.
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to fifteen Outdoor Heritage Fund restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to ten Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice. Accomplishments are summarized in the attached 2019 Annual Report. The 2019 report focuses specifically on stream restoration.
This program annually evaluates a sample of up to twenty-five Outdoor Heritage Fund habitat restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.
Audubon Minnesota is requesting funds to enhance 1,625 acres and restore 100 acres of significantly important wildlife habitat on public and permanently protected private lands. Our project and parcel prioritization criteria places an emphasis on Important Bird Areas (IBA) and priority areas identified by the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan, within the 8 most northwestern Minnesota counties associated with the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands region, the Prairie Parklands region, and the northwestern edge of the Eastern Broadleaf Forest.
Overall Project Outcome and Results
The Green Corridor Legacy Program will provide Minnesotans public access to high quality game and wildlife habitat through a multi-year land acquisition plan.
Develop outdoor recreation facilities including a nature study/observation area, roads and trails, information boards and signs. Park includes shoreline adjacent to the Mississippi Wild & Scenic River. The new trails will provide safety and accessibility along the bluff line overlooking the river and prevent erosion caused by existing, informal earthen trails.
To conduct habitat restoration and create fishing, canoeing, and camping opportunities along a segment of the Sauk River within the city of Melrose, provide education about habitat and environment.
This project consists of the design and construction of Phase 3 of the Rocori Trail along the old BNSF rail corridor and will connect Cold Spring, Richmond and Rockville.
The Nature Conservancy acquired in fee 3 properties that added 143 acres to the RJ Doer Memorial Hardwood Forest. The Minnesota Land Trust protected 3 properties with perpetual easements totaling 526 acres. The Nature Conservancy enhanced 396 acres of high priority habitat (bluff prairie and oak savanna) on existing state forest and Scientific and Natural Area lands, and an additional 35 acres on new fee acquisitions.
