The City of Mankato is looking to restore a varied ecosystem that includes wetland restoration, upland prairie establishment, and stream improvements. A minimum of a 100 acre area would provide habitat that supports a diverse mix of plants and animals and will allow for different types of outdoor sporting opportunities. The project is a unique opportunity for habitat establishment and protection in an urbanizing area that will provide lasting benefits for region.
The Wilkin Soil and Water Conservation District will partner with the Buffalo Red River Watershed District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and landowners to install 59 side inlets to stabilize high priority gullies that are contributing sediment to Whiskey Creek. When these 59 gullies are stabilized, sediment loading to Whiskey Creek will be reduced by an estimated 1,006 tons per year and total phosphorus reduced by 794 pounds per year.
MPRB requests $755,000 to continue shoreline habitat enhancements at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. This project would add approximately 4,000 linear feet of shoreline habitat to the roughly 4,500 linear feet implemented in 2020 with previous LSOHC funding. Completion of Phase Two would ensure naturalization of a total of approximately 65% of this urban lakeshore. Habitat improvements would specifically target multiple turtle species and native plant species beneficial to pollinators.
