This appropriation is enabling Ducks Unlimited to help state and federal wildlife conservation agencies protect and restore shallow lakes for waterfowl. Conservation easements will be acquired on approximately 150 acres of privately owned shoreland and up to 60 acres of lands previously converted for cropping will be restored back to wildlife habitat. Lands being considered for permanent protection in this round of funding are located in Beltrami, Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Meeker, Pope, Stearns, Swift, and Wright counties.
Goals for Phase 2 of the MN Prairie Recovery Program were to: protect 1200 acres native prairie/savanna; restore 250 acres grassland; enhance 6000 acres grassland/savanna with fire, invasive species removal, and grazing; and continue a new prairie conservation model.
This is the third round of watershed based implementation funds to be shared by up to 13 LGU's between the Bois de Sioux River and Mustinka River watersheds. These funds are to implement grant eligible components of the 2021 - 2030 Joint Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. Activities for this grant application are diverse, reflecting activities planned to improve water quality to and within legal drainage systems, streams, and lakes in the Bois de Sioux and Mustinka River watersheds.
