Minnesota

Association of State Floodplain Managers
Strengthening Coastal Communities Resilience in the Great Lakes Region (multiple states)
Engage coastal shoreline communities in the Great Lakes region in a formal scenario-based process to identify local flood vulnerabilities and to convene complementary regional capacity building workshops to help participating communities prioritize strategies and projects that address identified vulnerabilities. Project will give coastal communities a better understanding of local coastal resilience issues and how to incorporate nature-based solution into plans, and build regional collaboration.
$260,851

City of Duluth
Restoring Habitat and Managing Invasive Species in the Lake Superior Watershed (MN)
Treat invasive species and enhance habitat along the Tischer Creek and Kingsbury Creek watersheds near Duluth, Minnesota. Project will managed invasive species on more than 250 acres to increase biodiversity, enhance habitat enhancement for birds, insects and fish and improve buffer zones.
$201,430

Ducks Unlimited
Northwest Minnesota Livestock Grazing Assistance and Planning Program
Facilitate the improvement of grazing systems on private working lands that foster sustainable agriculture while promoting wildlife habitat conservation. Project will increase capacity for a Range, Pasture and Grassland Planner to work with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field staff to provide technical assistance to 150 private landowners and livestock producers on an estimated 6,000 acres.
$295,185

Minnesota Soil Health Coalition
Coordinating Cover Crop Adoption to Conserve Natural Resources in Minnesota
Coordinate technical and financial support to help farmers increase the adoption of cover crops in corn, soybean and wheat systems in Minnesota. Project will support the adoption of cover crops on 25,000 acres in 2022, with the potential to increase the total to 100,000 acres by 2025 to enhance soil health, improve water resources, and provide benefit to wildlife while providing economic benefits to participating farmers.
$248,654

Minnesota Soil Health Coalition
Farmer to Farmer Mentoring to Improve Soil Health and Conservation Grazing (MN)
Facilitate farmer-led mentorships and workshops in the Minnesota River Valley watershed to increase adoption of Farm Bill programs and Natural Resources Conservation Service practices, targeting corn and bean farmers and livestock producers. Project will expand a network of peer mentorships to educate about conservation grazing to improve water quality and soil health.
$281,145

Mississippi Park Connection
Community Tree Nurseries to Support the Mississippi River (MN)
Increase resiliency in the Ash-Elm-Mixed Lowland Hardwood forest through invasive species removal and planting of approximately 1,000 climate-adapted trees and shrubs. Project will address emerald ash borer threat by engaging local youth and community members in conservation activities focused on enhancing ecosystem health across a 2,224 acre forested area.
$44,283

Monarch Joint Venture
Advancing Biodiversity Conservation and Diverse Citizen Engagement (MN)
Create a learning management system with modular components targeted for diverse audiences and different levels of engagement. Project will provide a full-suite learning platform that offers partners, stakeholders, and interested individuals a range of pre-recorded and live digital courses, stand-alone videos, trainings, and educator resources that will greatly expand the Monarch Joint Venture’s educational scope, thus broadening the organization’s capacity to facilitate monarch conservation in North America.
$30,000

National Audubon Society
Promoting Conservation Grazing to Enhance Minnesota’s Grasslands
Improve grazing practices through technical assistance, outreach, and the launch of Audubon Conservation Ranching in Minnesota. Project will enhance over 8,000 acres of grasslands in western and central Minnesota benefiting priority grassland bird, duck, and shorebird species.
$418,486

The Nature Conservancy
Providing Technical and Financial Assistance to Support Regenerative Agriculture Practices (MN)
Provide technical and financial assistance to increase crop retailer offerings of conservation practices and services, while also supporting farmers with technical and financial tools to manage risk while transitioning to regenerative soil health systems. Project will provide training for retail agronomy staff, develop soil health management plans, and implementation of at least 8,000 acres of cover crops in central, southwest and southeastern Minnesota.
$262,224

Wilkin Soil and Water Conservation District
Advancing Regenerative Agriculture in the Buffalo-Red River Watershed (MN)
Provide technical assistance to accelerate landowner adoption of regenerative agriculture practices in high priority areas identified in the Buffalo-Red River Comprehensive Water Management Plan. Project will support Farm Bill program enrollment and promote peer to peer learning opportunities for farmers resulting in improved grazing management, soil health, water quality, irrigation efficiency and habitat enhancement on 15,000 acres.
$299,000