The minnesota land trust (MLT), will support the U.S. Fish and wildlife service (service) within the prairie pothole region (PPR) of minnesota to evaluate and restore 3500 acres of native grasslands…

The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) received a $1,280,000 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654). This 5-year project will support the USFWS within the Prairie Pothole Region of Minnesota to evaluate and restore 3,500 acres of native grasslands and wetlands on privately owned lands protected by USFWS habitat easements. The project will implement nature-based solutions to address climate change, water quality, habitat loss, and recreational opportunities as part of the USFWS Refuge System Enhancement 2024 program. Key activities include serving as project manager for habitat restoration subcontracts, securing additional funding, coordinating with the USFWS, conducting landowner outreach, and completing restoration plans, surveys, and agreements.

The minnesota land trust (MLT), will support the U.S. Fish and wildlife service (service) within the prairie pothole region (PPR) of minnesota to evaluate and restore 3500 acres of native grasslands and wetlands on privately owned lands protected by service habitat easements over the next 5 years. This project will implement nature-based solutions to address climate change, water quality improvement, habitat loss and recreational opportunities as part of the services refuge system enhancement 2024 program. The service has initiated a landscape scale grassland and wetland conservation and restoration effort to accelerate climate resiliency of native habitats in the prairie pothole region (PPR) of minnesota. The service requires more organizational capacity to deliver habitat restoration outcomes to meet the service programs objectives. The service seeks to advance this initiative by expanding existing partnerships and programs to efficiently deliver conservation outcomes. The minnesota land trust shall specifically complete the following objectives:1. Serve as project manager for approved sub contracts that shall result in habitat restoration.2. Work to obtain the funding for said sub CONTRACTS3. Coordinate with the service regularly to prioritize projects, track progress and allocateresources to complete projects. Participate in the services partner meetings andcoordinate activities with other service partners.4. Conduct outreach and develop relationships with agencies and landowners to advanceconservation of wetlands and grasslands in the PPR of minnesota.5 work with service personnel to identify habitat restoration enhancement projects to bestarted each year (the work plan). Secure and administer non-federal funds toaccomplish work plan projects.6. Complete all assigned restoration plans, surveys, designs, maps and agreements.