Strong interest shown in state habitat conservation grants

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Strong interest shown in state habitat conservation grants
(Released February 23, 2012)

Nonprofit and other organizations have taken a strong interest in the latest round of grant money available for habitat conservation, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Jamie Gangaware, a DNR grants specialist, said the agency received 69 applications for $3.5 million available through the state’s Conservation Partners Legacy program. Requests totaled $6.6 million.

“It was great to see such strong interest,” said Gangaware. “It shows that many organizations throughout the state want to help restore, enhance and protect fish, game and wildlife habitat.” She said the agency’s newly improved online application process may have contributed to the strong application numbers, too.

The grant application deadline was Feb. 8. A technical panel comprised of experts from inside and outside the DNR will review the applications and make funding recommendations to DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr. Grants will be awarded in April.

The Conservation Partners Legacy Program was recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and enacted by the 2009 Minnesota Legislature. Funding has been provided annually from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, one of three conservation-related accounts funded through the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Constitutional Amendment.

Local, state and federal nonprofit organizations and governmental entities are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $400,000. To date, more than 100 grants totaling $9.6 million have been awarded.

“Habitat conservation is an important mission of many organizations,” said Gangaware. “This grant program helps those organizations accomplish their missions in a way that was not was not possible in the past.”

A list of this year’s applications can be found on the Conservation Partners Legacy website under FY2012 Grant Information.

A complete list of the prior grant recipients can be found online at: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/assistance/grants/habitat/lessard_sams/all-awarded-grants.pdf