This project will initiate the process of community engagement in the LeSueur River watershed by assessing the needs and interests of the community and bringing a diverse set of stakeholders together to determine how best to foster action in improving and protecting water quality.
Minnesota Departments of Information Technology Services (MNIT) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) are partnering with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to acquire high-resolution digital elevation data developed from airborne lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) for the Minnesota River East and West regions. The data will be used to generate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for use in engineering design and design reviews, conservation planning, research, delivery, floodplain mapping, and hydrologic modeling utilizing lidar technology.
The MPCA has selected the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) watershed model to simulate watershed hydrology and water quality to assess various restoration scenarios in the Little Cannon River watershed. The SWAT model is an important tool in developing an understanding of existing conditions and simulating conditions under various management scenarios to inform the development of implementation strategies and plans to restore and protect streams and lakes.
Phase 2 of Ducks Unlimited's ongoing engineering program restored and enhanced shallow lakes and wetlands by installing water level control structures to improve aquatic plant abundance and water clarity in partnership with the Minnesota DNR and U.S.
This Phase 9 request for Ducks Unlimited's Living Lakes program will enhance or restore 1,440 acres of wetlands and adjacent prairie grasslands for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Minnesota DNR on public lands and private lands under permanent easement. DU biologists and engineers will design wetland restorations and water control structures for active management of shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other wildlife, and people, primarily in SW Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region.
This Phase 10 request for Ducks Unlimited's Living Lakes program will enhance or restore 1,325 acres of wetlands and adjacent prairie grasslands for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Minnesota DNR on public lands and private lands under permanent easement. DU biologists and engineers will design wetland restorations and water control structures for active management of shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other wildlife, and people, primarily in SW Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region.
Provide approximately 15 matching grants for local parks, trail, acquisition of natural areas and trails to connect people safety to desirable community locations and regional or state facilities.
The goal of the Dakota History Symposium at Lower Sioux Agency is to reclaim Dakota voice in a narrative that under-represents Dakota perspective and cultural worldview while providing opportunity for exiled Dakota to reconnect to their shared history, disrupting dominant power dynamics that restrict Dakota truth-telling. Hosting a Dakota-led educational event will enhance public understanding, broaden worldviews perspective and increase access to historic truths of the State of Minnesota.
Channelization of the Lower Otter Tail River in the early 1950s converted 18 miles of sinuous river channel to 11 miles of straight channel and resulted in the loss of several thousand acres of wetland, and prairie habitat within the river's corridor. Through a partnership between the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District, the Wilkin Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, this proposal will permanently protect 410 acres (est.) of private lands in easements.
Katha Dance Theatre (KDT) will produce a mainstage program of three world premiere dance concerts to share the art, culture, and history of India through the art of Kathak dance - the 2,000-year-old classical dance style of North India. These productions will include the world premiere of GANGA. The Myth and Reality, the world premiere of PANCHATANTRA, and the world premiere of PRAKRITIR PRATISODH Nature's Revenge. The first will premiere in St. Paul, the second in Minneapolis, and the third will play in another Twin Cities venue (TBD).
Leveraging new statewide climate data, we will assess future change in the duration, frequency and magnitude of heavy precipitation and drought events and engage communities to prepare for these extremes.
Martin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proposing to monitor six lakes sites and two stream sites in the Blue Earth River watershed. The lake sites will be monitored by kayak and the stream sites will be monitored from the shore. Sites will be analyzed for field conditions and water chemistry. Martin SWCD will subcontract with Faribault SWCD to monitor fourteen stream sites and with Blue Earth SWCD to monitor one lake site and three stream sites.
The ENRTF grant will introduce 12 young people to conservation careers through full-time, paid internships and apprenticeships on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (16 FTEs over 2 years).
This project is to create a contact strategy for community/landowner opportunities, obstacles, and opinions on land management and water quality that will result in the identification of restoration and protection strategies for the Minnesota River Mankato watershed in Redwood, Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood and LeSueur Counties.
The primary goal of this project is to develop a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) lead comprehensive Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) report to be used on the local level. Achieving this goal will require sound working relationships between local units of government, citizens, and state government. The Lakes Engagement Team will gather input from these groups and contribute towards the creation of a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report that can be utilized by local decision-makers.
The goal of this project is to design and install two watershed interpretive signs: one to be placed at Minneopa State Park and one at Fort Ridgely State Park to inform the public about watershed, water quality issues, and how someone can improve water quality.
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.
This project saw the construction of a fenced pasture and watering facilities to accommodate a herd of bison in Minneopa State Park. The bison came from the herd at Blue Mounds State Park, which has a genetic make-up that is 99% pure bison. Creating a second herd at Minneopa is part of a cooperative effort with the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Zoo to conserve this bison heritage.
This project saw the construction of a new railing for the day use area near Minneopa Falls. The project was greatly needed, as the rocky bluff area above the falls is crumbled in places, making it very dangerous to lean against the aged rail. This project is also significant because the original railing was a very beautiful iron railing that is listed on the National Historic Register. The rehabilitated railing was customized to match the original railing.
This project acquired ~74 acres of land within the boundary of Minneopa State Park. The land is near the bison range and may serve as hiking trails in the future.
