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.
This Phase 6 request for Ducks Unlimited’s Living Lakes program will enhance 1,000 acres of shallow lakes and restore 50 acres of small wetlands by engineering and installing water control structures for Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on public lands and wetlands under easement. Structures will be used by DNR and Service partners to restore wetland hydrology and actively manage shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other birds, and hunters in the Prairie Region of Minnesota.
This Phase 7 request for Ducks Unlimited's Living Lakes program will enhance 1,160 acres of shallow lakes and restore 120 acres of small wetlands by engineering and installing water control structures for Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on public lands and wetlands under easement. Structures will help DNR and Service agency partners restore wetland hydrology and actively manage shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other birds, and hunters in Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region.
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.
This Phase 8 request for Ducks Unlimited's Living Lakes program will enhance or restore 1,070 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 USFWS easement. Where required, DU engineers will design water control structures to restore wetland hydrology and allow active management of shallow lake water levels to enhance their ecology for ducks, other wildlife, and people, primarily in 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.
A long-term project to protect Minnesota's only population of ball cactus has begun successfully. To cement this success, population expansion/establishment will finish and long-term volunteer monitors will be trained.
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.
Objective 1: Increase Dakota language immersion capacity of at least 30 early childhood educators and staff. Objective 2: Introduce and expand Dakota language learning among up to 26 students in grades 9-12 at Cedar Mountain Secondary School. Objective 3: Promote 15 K-8 youth, family, and community engagement in the language through classes, apprenticeships, and community events at the new Lower Sioux Intergenerational Incubator.
Objective 1: By 06/30/2024, increase Dakota language immersion capacity of at least 30 early childhood educators and staff. Objective 2: By 06/30/2024, introduce and expand Dakota languages learning among up to 26 students in grades 9-12 at Cedar Mountain Secondary School Objective 3: by 06/30/2024, promote 150 K-8 youth, family and community engagement in the language through classes, apprenticeships, and community events at the new Lower Sioux Intergenerational Incubator.
Objective 1: By September 30, 2025, increase full time teachers with at least intermediate-mid fluency from 2 to 3 at Lower Sioux/Cansayapi. Objective 2: By September 30, 2025, increase Dakota fluency of two (2) early childhood language nest teachers' Dakota language fluency to at least intermediate low as measured by the ACTFL fluency scale. Objective 3:By September 30, 2025, increase language speaking at home from weekly to daily among 50 families and increase fluency of 20 families by .5-1 level on the ACTFL fluency scale.
Objective 1: By 06/30/2024, increase Dakota language immersion capacity of at least 30 early childhood educators and staff. Objective 2: By 06/30/2024, introduce and expand Dakota languages learning among up to 26 students in grades 9-12 at Cedar Mountain Secondary School Objective 3: by 06/30/2024, promote 150 K-8 youth, family and community engagement in the language through classes, apprenticeships, and community events at the new Lower Sioux Intergenerational Incubator.
This project will reduce sediment and nutrient loading to the main stem and local tributaries of the Lower Minnesota River (LMR) by providing cost share for practices that treat ravine headcut and channel erosion, streambank/shoreline erosion, ephemeral gully erosion, and direct-discharging open inlet drainage systems. Targeted Best Management Practices (BMPs) will include but not be limited to grade control structures, grassed/lined waterways, water & sediment control basins, shoreline/streambank stabilization and alternative tile inlets.
This project builds on the momentum of previous Clean Water Fund grants in making significant and quantifiable sediment, nutrient and runoff volume reductions to address the turbidity, dissolved oxygen and other impairments of the Lower Minnesota River (LMR). These water quality improvements will be achieved by constructing on-the-ground conservation best management practices (BMPs) in the targeted watersheds -including specifically Sand and Roberts Creek - and near channel sources.
This project will develop draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies addressing seven impaired lakes in the Lower Minnesota River Watershed (Fish, Pike, O’Dowd, Thole, Schneider, Titlow and Cleary Lakes). TMDLs will describe the impairment in each lake and water quality targets, and will include a phosphorus source assessment, a lake response model and supporting report components that document assumptions and methodologies, and a TMDL equation with completed load allocations, wasteload allocations, and margin of safety for each impairment.
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.
This grant application is being submitted for funding for the implementation portion of the Scott County Historical Society’s upcoming exhibit “Marking Time: The Rituals of Life & Death”. Virtually every society in the world practice rituals marking the significant transitions between birth and death.
