The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program will be managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities. In it's first 7 years of funding, the CPL program has provided 410 grants totaling $37 million to 133 different grantee organizations, positively affecting over 220,000 acres of habitat. Demand for CPL grants has continued to grow each year as new grantees hear about the program and successful grantees return.
Grassland ecosystems evolved to depend on periodic disturbances, such as fire and grazing, to maintain their health and stability. Periodic disturbances help control invasive species, add nutrients back into the soil, germinate plant seeds, enhance wildlife habitat, and more. In Minnesota habitat managers have used fire as a disturbance tool for decades but the use of grazing has been much rarer, mostly because of a lack of necessary infrastructure such as fencing.
The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, managed by the Department of Natural Resources, provided 56 competitive matching grants to non-profit organizations and governments, appropriating all the available ML12 funds.
With the ML 2015 appropriation The Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program awarded 70 grants, 22 of these grants were the metropolitan area. Over 24,000 acres were enhanced, 2,500 acres were restored, and 386 acres protected through these 70 projects. Thirty-eight counties had CPL projects completed in them through 47 unique organizations. The average project for the ML 2015 grants was $96,000, with few exceptions most projects were completed on time and many were under budget.
The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program will be managed by the Department of Natural Resources to provide competitive matching grants of up to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national non-profit organizations and government entities.
As of 11/1/2023, the CPL program has provided over 970 grants totaling $115 million to over 250 different grantee organizations, improving or protecting over 577,000 acres of habitat. Demand for CPL grants has continued to grow each year as new applicants hear about the program and successful grantees return. In ML 2019 there were 99 grants awarded- 15 metro grants, 29 traditional grants, and 55 Expedited Conservation Partners grants. Through these 99 grants, over 34,000 acres were restored, enhanced, or protected. Over $10.6M was awarded to organizations for projects.
Terrestrial invasive plants such as buckthorn, wild parsnip, garlic mustard, and others are becoming widespread threats throughout many sites in Minnesota. Present chemical and mechanical control methods tend to be costly, effective only in the short-term, or have other negative environmental impacts. However, an alternative practice of using grazing animals for invasive species management is used successfully in many parts of the western United States.
We have the following free shows we want to line up for our 2023 fair. These Homeward Bound Theatre shows will provide a fun learning experience for all ages: , , Alfy's World of Robotic Puppets - These versatile characters will bring a wide range of fun and education through agricultural facts, jokes and questions. These puppets are radio-controlled and engage children and families at different parts of the fair, targeting those specific aspects of agriculture.
Provide a variety of free entertainment and educational activities for fairgoers of all ages. Various Minnesota artists will provide different styles of music such as old and new country, rock 'n' roll, polka and old-time waltzes. There will be Minnesota history presentations and learning activities in the old Belvidere one-room schoolhouse. And fairgoers will have the opportunity to share their creativity by painting a design on a small rock.
Our Legacy project will consist of three local bands performing during our fair, all with ties to central Minnesota . Patrick Murphy along with Blonde and the Bohunk will perform a Friday evening concert and Runestone Rebellion will be the band providing musical entertainment on Saturday evening.
We will provide a variety of free music, educational activities, and programing for fairgoers of all ages. Minnesota artists will provide various types of music such as country, blues, rock, pop, folk, and polka. We are also working with the Goodhue County Historical Society to provide presentations and activities to educate and promote Minnesota history and culture. Partnering with the Anderson Center, we wish to bring an artist to demonstrate their skills. This year, we are planning to bring a glass blower to our fair.
Our Legacy project will consist of a variety of items: we hold a craft day for kids where they can come to the fair and make various craft projects throughout the day. Kids usually go home with 2-3 projects each. We will also host a non-denominational church service; Legacy funds will go towards the musical group and their sound man that provides the music for the service. We are also looking to upgrade our sound system by our stage area, as well as renting a portable stage. We will also be purchasing portable pop canopies/tenets to provide shelter for outside craft vendors.
The following 3 shows are what we are planning for the Cannon Valley 2024 Fair through Homeward Bound: 1) Mandana's ABC (Agriculture, Balloons, and Comedy) Extravaganza! 2) Dr. Street You are Magic Nick's magic inspires imaginations! He will show children how to believe in their dreams. 3) Alfy's Robotic Puppets: Through the ?magic? of radio control, these life-like puppets will be visiting and sharing jokes and quips with unsuspecting event goers.
