Carbon markets incentivize carbon sequestration, but significant cost-barriers exist for landowner participation. Leveraging remotely sensed data, cost-effective fieldwork, and robust modeling will enable climate-smart activities that benefit all Minnesotans.
This project will develop a treatment practice design for removing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from stormwater runoff using biofiltration media. Guidance will be developed for stormwater managers statewide.
We seek to renew access to one of Minnesota's most iconic vistas, the Bean and Bear Lakes section of the Superior Hiking Trail, using national trail design best practices.
MPCA distributes grants to county SSTS programs. County program locates low-income landowners, within the county jurisdiction, and distribute fix-up grants to landowners to address failing septic systems (ITPHS or FTPGW).
Long-term forest plot datasets are helpful for understanding the changing conditions and ecology of forestland over time. The USDA Forest Service produced statewide forest inventories in 1935, 1953, 1962, 1977, 1990, 2003, 2008, and 2013. Unfortunately, only the data from 1977 to the present is currently easily accessible and available in full.
Restores 420 acres of high-quality forests at Itasca, Jay Cooke, Scenic, Forestville Mystery Cave and Wild River State Parks and Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area.
Amphipods are wetland invertebrates that are critical wildlife food and indicators of water quality. We will assess reasons they are missing from Prairie Potholes and unique methods to restore amphipods.
Ecological restorations aim to aid the recovery of native ecosystems that have been degraded or lost. However, very seldom are restorations evaluated past the initial implementation phase to determine whether the efforts achieved their goals and the funds spent were a strategic conservation investment. Monitoring and evaluation of restorations can teach what works and what does not in order to advance restoration practices and increase the likelihood of success for future projects.
Project will mitigate the effects of climate change by restoring water retentive capabilities to 7 acres on the Long Prairie River while also creating both recreational and educational opportunities.
This project will restore healthy ecosystems and Indigenous cultural practices. Through expanded programming for preK-12th grade, urban Native students and families will reestablish enduring connections to land and culture.
Restore native freshwater mussel assemblages in the Mississippi, Cedar, and Canon rivers to provide necessary ecosystem services, expand imperiled species populations, and inform the public on mussels and their conservation.
Citizens will be enlisted to field-test a new method of managing carp to restore an impaired lake. Water quality & cost-effectiveness will be quantified to inform statewide implementation.
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.
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
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.
This project will develop planting guidelines for eastern hemlock, Minnesota's only endangered tree species from four different seed sources planted on four different sites across northeast and north central Minnesota.
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.
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.
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.
We propose identifying hot spots of groundwater chloride pollution of surface waters due to excessive road salt use, which is a long term source increasing chloride impairment of surface waters.
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 Root River Restoration project is 3,300 linear feet of stream bank and instream habitat restoration and monitoring located within Eagle Bluff and state owned land north of Lanesboro,
The CREST team wants to create a mobile lab with innovative, engaging educational activities that would be used to travel to underserved, underrepresented schools and community events in Northwest Minnesota
Pass-through grants to watershed districts and/or other local governments for design and construction of rural and farmstead ring levees within the Red River watershed (a.k.a. Basin).
Salt levels are rising in Minnesota lakes, and biological impacts may be worse than we think. We determine effects on water quality and foodwebs, and how to save our lakes.
Establish a statewide network to collect, analyze, and archive salvaged dead wildlife and build a foundation of biodiversity resources to track ecosystem-wide changes, monitor environmental health, and promote public education.
Sandhill cranes have expanded their range in Minnesota and elsewhere and as populations have expanded several states, including Minnesota, have initiated sandhill crane hunting seasons and other states are considering doing the same. Partially this is in response to increasing complaints of crop degradation by sandhill cranes.
This project consists of habitat restoration, water quality and fish passage improvements through the removal of the existing fixed elevation dam, construction of rock arch rapids and in-stream habitat restoration.
Lions Park improvements. Park is located on the rapids area of the Mississippi River. Enhance interaction with the river regionally with access points in this park.
