To transform vacant, inaccessible riverfront land around Minneapolis's Upper Lock into a place of environmental and cultural healing, restoration, education, and connection rooted in two principles: Mni Wiconi (water is life) and Mitakuye Owas'in (we are all relatives). By centering a Dakota way of life and values, this place will demonstrate how to care for the land and water as relatives. Dakota people working with the land and water that the Dakota originated from (Mni Sota) will activate healing for our community and the many relatives who will grow to thrive at Owamniyomni (St.
Ramsey County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers propose to enhance and restore habitat in Pigs Eye Lake by building islands and marsh to benefit migratory birds, waterfowl, and fish. Island construction would restore wetland habitat and functions that have been lost in the 640-acre backwater due to erosion and degradation and enhance the surrounding area by reducing turbidity, preventing further erosion, and increasing habitat diversity. The project would protect areas of biodiversity significance and improve the Mississippi River wildlife corridor in the heart of the St.
This program will bring focused conservation to one of Minnesota's priority aquatic resources, Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance. These threatened lakes possess outstanding fisheries and provide habitat for a variety of Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN); yet, at present, no habitat protection program specifically targets these priority resources.
This program will bring focused conservation to one of Minnesota's priority aquatic resources, Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance. These threatened lakes possess outstanding fisheries and provide habitat for a variety of Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN); yet, previous to this program, no habitat protection program specifically targeted these priority resources.
The Red River Watershed Management Board (RRWMB) will partner with the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) on this basin-wide initiative to establish 780 acres of riparian/upland habitat within the Red River Basin (RRB) in Northwest Minnesota. This initiative will use BWSR's Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Program to target permanent conservation easements on agricultural lands to restore and protect stream and riparian habitat.
With a population of 162,000 that expands by approximately 300,000 annually through tourism, the Brainerd Lakes area is truly a beloved “up north” destination in Minnesota. Brainerd’s emerging Region 5 Children’s Museum (working title) envisions a more connected Minnesota and will actively bring together people from diverse backgrounds in shared experiences through the exploration of northern Minnesota’s rich art, culture, and heritage.
Minnesota Trout Unlimited, the Minnesota Land Trust, and The Nature Conservancy will combine their expertise within 12 targeted watersheds to increase the resilience of remnant populations of brook trout unique to Southeast Minnesota. We will protect 535 acres and restore/enhance 95 acres of instream and adjacent upland habitats to address stream degradation (floodplains, gullies, slopes, and bluffs), slow runoff, increase infiltration, and keep aquatic habitat productive.
This project leverages more than $10 million in federal funds to begin implementation of a system-wide effort to improve game fish and waterfowl production in the Upper Mississippi River by improving 100 acres of floodplain forest and up to 1,000 acres of aquatic and wetland habitat at the upper end of Lake Pepin. Local partners are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to mitigate habitat degradation caused by turbidity and excess sediment accumulating at the head of the lake. Project construction is anticipated to begin in 2020.
The Clean Water Fund (CWF) and Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) were used together to secure easements on buffer areas. 25 easements have been recorded for a total of 672.1 acres and are reported in the output tables for the final report (acre total does not include Clean Water Fund acres). The total acreage from both CWF and OHF sources for recorded easements is 1,152.4 acres. Only the OHF acres are being reported in this final report to be consistent with the approved accomplishment plan.
Using the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) program, this project addresses the potential loss of grassland habitats from conversion to cropland and accelerates grassland protection efforts not covered by other programs. Working in coordination with 11 established Prairie Conservation Plan Local Technical Teams (LTTs), and local SWCDs this proposal will enroll 936 RIM acres (approximately 12 easements), focusing on Minnesota Prairie Plan identified landscapes.
RIM Wetlands - Restoring the most productive habitat in Minnesota's Prairie Pothole Region will protect and restore approximately 520 acres of previously drained wetlands and adjacent native grasslands on approximately 12 easements across the State. The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will utilize the Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) easement program in partnership with local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCDs) to target, protect and restore high priority habitat. The program will utilize a ranking and selection process and be implemented locally by SWCD staff.
Over a century ago, the Roseau River in the northwestern corner of Roseau County was channelized by the State with the establishment of State Ditch 51. The Roseau River Watershed District and Minnesota DNR, through multiple phases, will cooperatively restore a total of 13.6 miles of river channel, adding 366 acres of high-quality large river habitat within the Roseau River WMA and enhancing the river's riparian habitat corridor. This project is the first phase and will begin progress towards restoring the Roseau River.
In partnership with Anoka County and landowners, Anoka Conservation District will enhance Rum River habitat by utilizing eco-sensitive, habitat-building, bioengineering approaches to address active bank erosion on three to seven reaches. Sediment delivered from bank erosion threatens fish and mussel reproduction. The Rum River is a state designated Outstanding Resource Value Water and Wild, Scenic and Recreational River with eighty actively failing riverbanks in Anoka County alone. Project partners will address these in a phased approach utilizing CWF, LSOHC, and CPL funds.
This Phase 6 request for Ducks Unlimited's land protection and restoration program will acquire and restore 600 acres of prairie land on shallow lakes and prairie land with restorable wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of SW Minnesota for transfer to the Minnesota DNR for inclusion in the state Wildlife Management Area system. This land acquisition and restoration work will focus on land that buffers shallow lakes and provides breeding habitat for ducks and other prairie wildlife.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Phase VIII Habitat Restoration Program will restore and protect 315 acres of essential shallow lake, oak savanna and wetland habitat across the watershed. As a result of the strategic projects, a key biological functioning parcel will be permanently protected, lake shores will be enhanced, in-lake habitat structures will be created, oak savanna will be protected and vegetation will be restored for migratory fowl habitat.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) Phase X Habitat Restoration Program will enhance, and protect 389 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland, and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result of the strategic projects, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District (SRRWD) is seeking funding for their Habitat Restoration Program to restore, enhance, and protect 302 acres of essential prairie upland, wetland, lake and streambank habitat across the watershed. As a result of the projects, key biological functioning parcels will be permanently protected, streambank habitat will be enhanced, vegetation and feeding sources will be restored for migratory fowl habitat and wetlands will be restored from row crop agriculture.
This project will protect approximately 852 acres using conservation easement and fee land acquisition, and restore and enhance approximately 240 acres of declining habitat for important wildlife species. Actions will occur in strategically targeted, resilient corridors of biodiversity significance within the Blufflands of Southeast Minnesota, resulting in increased public access and improved wildlife habitat.
This project will protect approximately 434 acres using conservation easement and fee land acquisition, and restore and enhance approximately 455 acres of declining habitat for important wildlife species. Work will occur in strategically targeted, resilient corridors of biodiversity significance within the Blufflands of Southeast Minnesota, resulting in increased public access and improved wildlife habitat.
Washington County possesses some of the best remaining wildlife habitat in the Metro Urbanizing Area. For a decade, Washington County and the Minnesota Land Trust have collaborated in protecting these resources, blending funding from the County's Land and Water Legacy Program (LWLP) and State's Outdoor Heritage Fund.
This proposal will accomplish shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region. Over 4,000 acres of wetland habitat will be impacted. The proposal is comprised of two components - (1) projects to engineer, construct and/or implement shallow lake and wetland enhancement activities, including cattail control, and (2) an expansion of the Wetland Management Program to increase its capacity to identify and implement needed management work for small wetlands in the prairie region.
This Phase 3 partnership will accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements to protect and restore 1,400 acres of private grasslands and pothole wetlands in west-central Minnesota, and restore an additional 140 prairie-wetland acres. These "working land" conservation easements allow delayed haying and grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife.
Funding provided through this appropriation enhanced 5,024 acres of wetland habitat. Eight wetland and shallow lake infrastructure projects were competed that enhanced 1,643 acres of wetland. Cattail spraying using a helicopter outfitted with an OHF-purchased spray unit and impacted impacted 1,762 acres. Work by the Region 3 Roving Habitat Crew enhanced 1,619 acres of wetland. Finally, survey and design work was initiated on four projects to prepare for future construction.
This proposal will accomplish shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration work throughout Minnesota, with a focus on the prairie region. Almost 4,200 acres of wetland habitat will be impacted. The proposal is comprised of two components - (1) projects to engineer and implement shallow lake and wetland enhancement activities; (2) funding to continue the existing Roving Habitat Crew in Region 3 to conduct habitat management work on public lands.
This Phase 2 partnership will accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements to restore and protect 775 acres of private grasslands and pothole wetlands in west-central Minnesota, and restore 50 additional prairie-wetland acres too. These "working land" conservation easements allow delayed haying and grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife.
This proposal will accomplish shallow lake and wetland enhancement and restoration work on over 555000 acres. The proposal is comprised of two components - (1) nine projects to engineer and/or construct infrastructure such as water control structures, dikes, and fish barriers that will lead to enhanced or restored wetland wildlife habitat, plus aerial cattail spraying of hybrid cattails; (2) Continued funding for four shallow lakes specialists.
DU and PF will help accelerate USFWS wildlife habitat easements by restoring and enhancing 1,900 acres of protected private grasslands and wetlands in Minnesota's Prairie and Transition Sections. These are "working lands" under permanent federal conservation easements that allow delayed haying and/or grazing while protecting restored wetlands and prairie grasslands for nesting ducks, pheasants, and other wildlife.
The Anoka Sand Plain (ASP) Partnership protected 423 acres through conservation easement, restored/enhanced 768 acres of Prairie/Oak Savanna, Wetland, Habitat, and Woodland/Forest habitats, including rescue and relocation of 11,000 rare plants, at sites centered around the DNR's ASP ecoregion. Overall, we reached 112% of our acreage goals, and an additional 5.4 miles of shoreline.
