Voyageurs Conservancy will connect 17,000 Minnesotans to the state's only national park through standards-aligned K-12 education, career-building fellowships, and enhanced programs that engage diverse audiences in the park's conservation.
Wilderness Inquiry will expand its work to provide a continuum of outdoor experiences for youth, adults, and families in communities across Minnesota by:
As of 11/1/2022, the CPL program has provided over 900 grants totaling $109 million to over 200 different grantee organizations, improving or protecting over 339,000 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 2018 there were 107 grants awarded- 18 metro grants, 20 traditional grants, and 69 Expedited Conservation Partners grants. Through these 107 grants, over 18,000 acres were restored, enhanced, or protected. Over $11M was awarded to organizations for projects.
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.
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.
Homeward Bound Theatre will bring "The Wonderful World of Woody" to our entertainment tent for 3 shows during the day. The Concord Singers will perform for fairgoers in the entertainment tent one day of the fair. Magic by Chaz will perform his magic feats as he strolls the fairgrounds during the fair. Tent Rental of Luverne , MN will set up a 40x40 tent to provide a good spot for our fair entertainment.
Minnesota bands playing in our entertainment building is one of the biggest draws of our fair--the bands help bring people together and everyone can spend time with their friends, and make new ones. Since we added our teen night, it is growing every year. We started this event because of complaints for the 16+ age group that there was nothing for them. With the four bands we offer, we have a variety of music to cater to a wide audience of people. This year we are also adding a kids event with Making Faces out of Mankato, Minnesota.
Homeward Bound Theatre, a Minnesota-based company, will bring THE OZ BROTHERS to perform at the Fair on July 25 and 26, with 2 stage shows each day plus they will also be strolling around the fairgrounds to entertain fairgoers. The Big Top Tent Rental from Luverne, MN will provide a 40 x 40 tent for the performers and for fairgoers.
We would like to use the Legacy grant to help fund Minnesota bands in our entertainment building. This year we are looking at a "rock" band for Friday night, which will attract the younger crowd to the fair. On Sunday we highlight Senior Citizens, Farm Family Recognition and have a musician that plays old country and gospel music. For the younger youth on the fairgrounds we have free face painting on the grounds Saturday.
Nearly 700 miles of open water flow through Faribault County's borders. Over one-third of these miles are artificial drainage systems. Artificial drainage systems are necessary to remove excess precipitation and improve the productivity of agricultural land, however they also have a direct effect on the water quality and quantity of receiving waterbodies. With limited resources available to manage these systems, innovative and efficient management tools will play a critical role in targeting improvements for water quality.
