We will determine the current distribution and habitat associations of northern and southern flying squirrels to fill key knowledge gaps in flying squirrel status in Minnesota.
Winter is a critical period for game fish recruitment and survival, yet little is known about winter lake ecology. We will determine how changing winter conditions affect Minnesota?s fish resources.
This project will characterize unregulated drinking water contaminants at wells and intakes (which pump from groundwater, lakes, rivers), and to examine if they persist after standard public water system treatment.
The wastewater from extinguishing structural fires will be analyzed to identify and characterize chemicals present and better understand potential toxicity to humans and water systems.
Pileated Woodpeckers are keystone habitat modifiers that support an array of game, non-game, and conservation concern species. Additional information is needed to understand cavity dynamics for these species.
Chippewa County will acquire 51 acres of riverine wetland/floodplain forest complex, floodplain and abandoned gravel pits along the MN River southwest of Montevideo.
This project will provide support to the MPCA's Chloride Reduction Program that offers training, resources, assistance, and tools to organizations and communities in reducing salt use and protecting water resources.
The purpose of the DNR Wildlife Health Program is to monitor wildlife populations for diseases, to provide information to support management decisions based on accurate information, and to minimize negative ecological, recreational, and economic impacts.
The goal of this project is to advance research related to the contamination, persistence, detection, and risk of transmission related to CWD prions in soil.
Reconstruction of amenities and pathways within the Biwabik Recreation Area consisting of the campground, beach, boat access, fishing pier, and walking/biking trails at a cost of $1,306,000
The Mississippi Landing Trailhead Park will help connect residents and visitors to the Mississippi River through recreation, education, and restoration; providing an accessible connection to the river for everyone.
Minnesota ranks #2 in hog production and #1 in sugar beet production in the U.S., generating about 11 million tons of pig manure and over one million tons of sugar processing wastes annually. Presently there are not cost-effective methods available to deal with these waste streams other than land application, which usually results in nutrient runoff into ground and surface water resources.
Rising temperatures and increased precipitation contribute to decreased oxygen and increased methane in Minnesota lakes and wetlands. We will identify impacts on water quality and methane emissions, providing management guidance.
Work with tribal partners in the conservation of wild rice waters, creating a collaborative monitoring program and developing remote sensing tools for statewide assessment of natural wild rice abundance.
This project builds partnerships among natural resource professionals, college, middle and high schools to work collaboratively to increase youth exposure to outdoor experiences, environmental issues, and natural resource career paths.
Over three years, we will train, deploy, and support 150 members to build more resilient ecosystems in communities statewide. Members will focus on planting trees and conducting tree inventories.
Project goal is to monitor species response at a community level, in order to determine if management actions increase biodiversity and build ecosystem resiliency as intended.
Restore and enhance 51 acres of natural areas, five miles of linear natural signature plantings and install seven EV charging stations along the 27-mile Mississippi River Greenway.
The Ecological Monitoring Network will install up to 185 final plots. Data are needed to understand climate change impacts in Minnesota and identify resilient natural lands for conservation or enhancement.
Students will get outdoors for hands-on learning focused on water quality, groundwater, aquatic life, watershed health and their role as watershed stewards. Introductions to fishing and conservation will be offered.
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.
This project will connect over 11,000 students to the Boundary Waters through classroom education and wilderness canoe experiences, targeting diverse and underserved populations across Minnesota.
Though they are a relatively unnoticed group of species, native freshwater mussels are a critical part of river ecosystems because they provide a variety of important functions including improved water clarity, enhanced streambed stability, reduced downstream transport of contaminants, and creation of habitat for other aquatic life. However, mussel populations in Minnesota have declined in recent decades as a result of habitat destruction, pollution, land-use change, over-harvesting, and the introduction of exotic species.
Identify forest management actions and guidelines that maximize breeding season productivity across breeding cycle (nesting through post-fledgling) for three bird species of conservation concern: Golden-winged Warbler, Veery, and American Woodcock.
The Minnesota Zoo will improve the long-term viability of Minnesotas imperiled turtle populations by researching threats, implementing mechanisms to reduce mortality, and creating educational materials for use throughout the state.
The purchase of conservation easements—restrictions on land use that protect natural features while keeping land in private ownership—has proven to be an effective means to protect land at a lower initial cost than full state ownership. However, once an easement is purchased there are ongoing stewardship, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities necessary to ensure the terms of the agreement between the easement holder and the landowner are met.
Enrollment of private lands in conservation programs can provide important natural resource and other public benefits by taking the lands out of production so that they can provide various wildlife, water quality, and ecological benefits. This appropriation is enabling the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources to continue to provide grants to local soil and water conservation districts for employment of technical staff to assist private landowners in implementing conservation programs.
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.
