All Projects

This project will provide an important framework for civic and citizen engagement and communication in the International Rainy River-Lake of the Woods Watershed, which will contribute to long-term public participation in surface water protection and restoration activities.

The purpose of the grant is to increase and enhance the understanding of the American Indian Ojibwe language and culture to ensure positive reinformcement of the self image and sense of identity four our American Indian Ojibwe people: To engage American Indian Ojibwe language and culture in our communities.

Ramsey County, the most densely populated county in Minnesota, generates high levels of contaminated runoff from its impervious surfaces, which can have damaging effects on both surface water and groundwater. Concerns arise when these contaminants drain into abandoned and unused wells, threatening the quality of groundwater, especially in drinking water supply areas, wellhead protection areas, or groundwater recharge zones.

To hire qualified consultants to evaluate the Ranier Community Building for possible inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Rapid River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) project will result in the development of the restoration and protection strategies for the watershed and engage the local stakeholders in the practices of watershed management. This project will also develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired waters.

Redevelop existing playground at Upper Afton area in BC RP

Partial funding to reconstruct parking lots, driveways, parking lot lighting, boat ramp improvements and associated storm water improvements at the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Regional Park Reserve.

Reconstruct the 3,800 SF Cherokee Regional Park Play Area to provide active play opportunities for children between the ages of 2-12. Cherokee Regional Park receives approximately 340,000 visits per year, approximately 10% of which are of Hispanic background

Continue Recreation and Volunteer Specialist position initiated in 2014 to develop and implement recreation and volunteer programs. Engage 3,300 park visitors through 100 programs provided in the County.

Design, engineer, and construct new recreational amenities at Sheridan Park, including play areas, picnic areas, trails, shoreline improvements, natural habitat enhancements, and visitor services.

Recruit, coordinate & lead natural resource volunteers throughout the City's regional parks and trail units (year 1 of 2)

The goal of this project is to collect real-time, parameter data for specific conductance, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and stream flow at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) gaging stations located at Fargo and Grand Forks, ND on the Red River of the North. The data will be published on the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS) website.

The goal of this project is to extend, calibrate, and validate the existing Hydrological Simulation Program – FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed models in the Red Lake River, Thief River, Clearwater River and Red Lake watersheds.

This project is planned in the Skunk Creek subwatershed, which empties into the turbidity impaired Nemadji River. The goal of the project will restore the stream and stabilize the bank where a 30 year old sediment retention structure failed, releasing sediment into the Nemadji Watershed. In addition, remaining structures within the watershed will be prioritized and a discussion between land owners and permitting organizations will be initiated. This project will prevent an estimated 80 tons of sediment from annually entering into the Nemadji River.

The purpose of the project is to reduce the amount of sediment entering Burnham Creek, which is a tributary of the Red Lake River within the Red River Basin. The Red Lake River is classified as a source water protection area for the City of East Grand Forks and currently does not meet state water quality standards for sediment. The goal of this project is to install one grade stabilization structure within the channel which outlets into the Burnham Creek channel and two side water inlets with buffers.

Redevelop roadway, parking lots and trails, building enhancements, maintenance facility improvements, boat launch improvements, disc golf installation, natural resource restoration, signs, site furnishings, utilities, fees and contingencies.

In 2017 and 2018, Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA) will collect water chemistry samples from the 10 lakes and 24 stream sites identified in the Redwood and Cottonwood River watersheds. Six samples will be collected at 10 lakes from May through September in 2017; five samples will be collected at 5 lakes in 2018 from May through September. Eleven samples will be collected at each of the 24 stream sites following the Basic Regime in 2017. Sixteen samples at each stream site will be collected in 2017 and 2018 following the E.coli monitoring regime.

To provide better organization of the archival materials, allowing for greater public access to the community's historic resources.

To provide appropriate storage materials for museum collections.

This program funds rehabilitation and renewal of buildings and other recreational facilities in Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas.

Renewal of existing State Trail surfaces, parking areas, and trail wayside areas, improving accessibility, enhancing user safety and implementing current best management practices. MNDNR Parks and Trails Division has a identified approximately 85 miles of existing state trail in need of rehabilitation and upgrading. This program also focuses on the rehabilitation or replacement of existing state trail bridges, including structural engineering inspections of all trail bridges .

To hire a qualified conservator to restore a significant object in the museum's collections.

To digitize issues of the student newspaper, "The Reporter," allowing for greater public access to this historic resource.

To hire a qualified historian to research Mankato's cultural history.

To research the history of the Honeywell Ring Laser Gyro, in preparation for a future manuscript.

To provide better organization of library materials, allowing for greater public access to the community's historic resources.

This program annually evaluates a sample of up to fifteen Outdoor Heritage Fund restoration and enhancement projects, provides a report on the evaluations in accordance with state law and delivers communications on project outcomes and lessons learned in restoration practice.

To design, produce, and install a historical marker at Resurrection Church, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Clean Water Fund (CWF) and Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) were used together to secure easements on buffer areas. 84 easements have been recorded for a total of 1,441 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 2,793.2 acres. Only the OHF acres are being reported in this final report to be consistent with the approved accomplishment plan.

Under the CREP partnership with USDA, 71 easements were recorded on a total of 4,365 acres to restore previously drained wetlands and adjacent uplands. The easements were accomplished with local implementation done by SWCD, NRCS and FSA staff within the 54 county CREP area and leveraged federal funds for both landowner payments and cost share for conservation practice installation.

To document in 10-15 oral history interviews the history of the Minnesota Ombudsman for Corrections.

To hire qualified professionals to produce a documentary on the history of Romanian immigration to Minnesota, 1945-1989.

The goal of this project is to complete the construction, calibration, and validation of an Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN (HSPF) watershed model for the Minnesota portions of three watersheds: Root River, Upper Iowa, and Mississippi River-Reno.

255 acres were acquired in 2021 using OHF funding. These are acres allowed the dike to be aligned with the beach ridge of the lake.
Construction of Phase 1 (see map) was initiated in September 2023. The northwest embankment was built and a weir steering the main flow of the Roseau River into a natural oxbow was installed. A water control structure (on Pine Creek) and finishing work on the dike will be completed this year.