This program will acquire and develop approximately 730, acres of new Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lands. New WMA acquisition acre targets by LSOHC Sections will be consistent with the recommendations of The Citizens Advisory Committee report of 2002? Wildlife Management Area Acquisition The Next 50 Years. Additionally, this program will protect 275 acres of native prairie as state Scientific & Natural Areas (SNAs) and perpetual Native Prairie Bank (NPB) easements.
This program will increase populations of a variety of game and non-game wildlife species by protecting and enhancing forest habitats on which wildlife depends. This program of on-the-ground forest conservation projects will amplify the wildlife value of forest communities on DNR administered forestlands. Our forest enhancement will treat 4,472 ac. These activities are not conducted as part of the DNR's commercial timber operations. Additionally, our program will acquire 404 acres of forestland that contributes to habitat complexes and other high priorities.
Pheasants Forever (PF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will cooperate to permanently restore and protect approximately 700 acres as Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in western and southern Minnesota. All lands acquired through this grant proposal will be owned and managed by the Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
This program uses a multi-programmatic approach to achieve prioritized aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement for lakes, trout streams, and rivers across Minnesota. We propose to: i) protect 7.8 miles of shoreline on lakes, rivers and trout streams; ii) effect structural repairs to 2 lake outlet control structures that will integrate fish passage; iii) restore and enhance river and stream functions that will benefit over 50.5 river miles; and iv) enhance 1.4 miles of shoreline habitat on publicly-owned lakeshore.
As preparation to additional historic preservation work on the Odeon Theatre, listed in the national Register of Historic Places, a qualified historical architect was hired to inspect and evaluate the building. Issues of safety/building codes, accessibility concerns, weather-tightness and future functional improvements were addressed. The final report included a mechanical/electrical evaluation of the building and its proposed future addition. Improvements will include accessible restrooms, a second accessible exit, expanded storage space and the repair of the stage floor.
Saint Francis Music Center will create a preschool music program that encompasses a weekly program and several larger activities to reach a broad audience of preschoolers and parents.
Artists Ross Sutter and Margo McCreary will conduct a two-week artist in residency at Laporte Elementary School in which K-6 students will create and study birds, bird habitat, song, diet, flight, and more.
Funds will assist Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning to offer opportunities to experience the work of regional and local poets at four poetry readings and to attend a play about classic American poet Emily Dickinson.
Funds will help the Northern Light Opera Company present six performances of “The Music Man” July 29 - August 7, 2011 at the Park Rapids Area High School Auditorium.
Funds will assist the city of Park Rapids to purchase a portable stage to create a safe performance space for arts activities and to help make these activities more accessible to all.
Funds will assist Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council to produce “Art Leap 2011”, a 2-day “open studio event,” including a driving tour of artists’ studios and other cultural destinations, live performances and a variety of workshops.
The nine member Counties and Soil and Water Conservation Districts of the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance (GBERBA) will be able to enhance our effectiveness to provide elevated levels of technical assistance, education and outreach in the areas of urban stormwater, wellhead protection, nutrient management, conservation agronomy, drainage and agricultural best management practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution in the Blue Earth, Le Sueur and Watonwan River Watersheds.
