$3.6 million awarded for state conservation projects

[HD]

$3.6 million awarded for state conservation projects
(Released November 15, 2010)


The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the award of $3.6 million in 35 grants through the Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant program.

The CPL program was recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) to, and approved by the 2010 Minnesota Legislature. Funding is from the Outdoor Heritage fund, part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Constitutional Amendment. CPL grants are intended to restore, enhance, or protect fish, game and wildlife habitat in the state. Local, state, and federal nonprofit organizations and governmental entities are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $400,000.

DNR received a total of 56 applications totaling $5.9 million during this year’s CPL grant application period, with $4,210,560 available for grants. A second round of applications for projects under $125,000 will be held to award the remaining $595,439. In 2009, the first year of the program, 35 projects amounting to $3,740,000 were awarded.

Dave Schad, DNR Fish and Wildlife director, said CPL grants “help small conservation organizations complete on-the-ground habitat work and build their capacity to do more of these projects. It’s a grass-roots effort that really helps advance conservation in Minnesota. These are all good projects with long-term benefits.”

Funded projects include grassland restorations; wetlands, prairies, and northern forest acquisitions; and wetland and forest enhancements.