Wetlands in large lakes in the Voyageurs National Park area have been degraded by invasive cattails, which reduces biodiversity, degrades fish/wildlife habitat, and outcompetes wild rice/manoomin. Phases 1&2 of the project entailed refinement of restoration methods. We will continue mechanical treatment methods in Phase 3 to remove invasive cattails and other vegetation, including use of contracted harvesting machines, NPS owned-cutting machines, and hand crews in more inaccessible areas.
The Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program implements conservation of high priority wetland habitat complexes within Minnesota's Prairie, Forest-Prairie Transition and Northern Forest areas. Phase 9 of the Wetlands Program will focus on restoration and enhancement of 983 acres of high priority wetlands and associated prairies to benefit important waterfowl and SGCN populations. Restoration and enhancement work will be managed by the Minnesota Land Trust, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Native Prairie Bank will work with willing landowners to permanently protect 235 acres of native prairie and supporting habitat through perpetual conservation easements. Easement acquisition will focus on Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan identified landscapes and target Minnesota Biological Survey identified threatened and endangered plant and animal species, high quality plant communities, and key habitats for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and other wildlife species.
The Minnesota Land Trust proposes to permanently protect 550 acres of high quality habitat in southwest Minnesota by securing conservation easements within scientifically prioritized habitat complexes by filling key unmet gaps in the available land protection toolbox. Working with willing landowners the Land Trust will use its innovative bid model to maximize conservation benefit and financial leverage in project selection.
The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership will restore/enhance 299 acres of prairie and forest habitat within the ASP ecoregion. Our actions will increase biodiversity, habitat connectivity, recreational opportunities, and landscape resilience which align with the ASP Partnership's strategic plan, DNR Wildlife Action Plan, and LSOHC Section priorities.
30,000 Feet will develop and offer 12 artist residency workshops, connecting Black youth in East Saint Paul to Black artists. Through projects and experiential learning rooted in African American culture and history, students use art to discuss social justice and other areas that spark passion. The program teaches critical history through curriculum they can relate to. We aim to create the next generation of changemakers by using out-of-the-box, meaningful methods that inspire.
The Cannon River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Program will protect approximately 180 acres in fee, and restore or enhance approximately 136 acres of high priority wildlife habitat within the Cannon River Watershed, including wetlands, prairies, forests, and river/shallow lake shoreline. Its goal is to protect existing high quality habitat, restore degraded habitat, prevent degradation of water quality, and provide public access.
Washington County's Carnelian Creek Conservation Corridor contains one of the largest unprotected wildlife habitat complexes within the metropolitan area and has been identified as one of the County's top conservation priorities. The Minnesota Land Trust and Washington County will protect 369 acres of the Corridor's most threatened, high quality forest and aquatic habitat in this first phase of the project.
Through this grant, the Minnesota Land Trust protected approximately 8.25 miles of critical shoreland and 1,095 acres of high-quality fish and wildlife habitat in northeast Minnesota by securing four permanent conservation easements in strategic locations along priority lakes and rivers, exceeding our land protection goals by 332% and shoreland protection goals by 825%. Conservation easements secured under this program are perpetual and will prevent fragmentation and destruction of existing habitat.
Acquire approximately 325 acres of high priority habitat for designation as Wildlife Management Area or Scientific and Natural Area in the LSOHC Prairie Planning Section emphasizing Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan and soon to be finalized Conservation That Works, 3.0 WMA and AMA Acquisition & Management Strategic Plan guidance, and coordination with partners. All lands will be open for public hunting and fishing (a limited number of SNA's are proposed for limited hunting for instance archery only or hunting but no trapping).
We propose a programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection for trout streams in Minnesota, with an emphasis on Southeast and Northeast Minnesota. We propose to protect approximately 130 acres and 8 miles of trout stream corridor with permanent conservation easements on private land. Protected lands will be designated as Aquatic Management Areas (AMA's) administered by the Minnesota
DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife.
