BWSR offers a variety of competitive and noncompetitive grant programs to its local government partners. These funds may be appropriated through the Clean Water Fund, Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, the general fund, or direct appropriations.

When funding opportunities are available through BWSR, opportunities to submit competitive or noncompetitive funding requests will be listed on this page.

Habitat Enhancement Landscape Pilot (HELP) Program

The Habitat Enhancement Landscape Pilot (HELP) program is focused on restoring and enhancing strategically located, diverse native habitat across Minnesota on conservation lands and natural areas to benefit populations of pollinators and beneficial insects. $674,500 is available through this Request for Proposal. Applicants can apply for grants of $20,000 to $40,000 which can include projects on multiple properties.

How to apply: Applications must be submitted through eLINK, BWSR’s grants management system.

Application deadline: February 23, 2022

Cooperative Weed Management Area Program

Cooperative Weed Management Areas are partnerships of federal, state and local government agencies along with tribes, individual landowners and various other interested groups that manage noxious weeds or invasive plants in a defined area. $200,000 is available for FY2022 and FY2023 (combined) for newly developing and existing CWMAs/CISMA partnerships in Minnesota through this Request for Proposal. Newly developing CWMAs/CISMAs or groups where more than one county are combined as part of existing CWMAs/CISMAs may request up to $20,000. Existing groups may request up to $15,000.

How to apply: Applications must be submitted through eLINK, BWSR’s grants management system.

Application deadline: February 23, 2022

Lawns to Legumes Demonstration Neighborhoods Grant Program

BWSR is now accepting applications for the Lawns to Legumes Demonstration Neighborhoods program, which aims to establish community projects on residential properties, and is intended to enhance pollinator habitat in key corridors, raise awareness for residential pollinator protection, and showcase best practices. Eligible applicants include tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, and select local governments. More information can be found on the Lawns to Legumes program page.

How to apply: Proposals must be submitted through eLINK, BWSR’s grants management system.

Application deadline: February 3, 2022

Lawns to Legumes Individual Support Grant Program

BWSR is now accepting applications for the Lawns to Legumes program, which aims to increase residential habitat for at-risk pollinators across the state. All Minnesota residents are eligible to apply for individual support grants, which reimburse gardeners for up to $300 in costs associated with establishing pollinator habitat in their yards. More information can be found on the Lawns to Legumes program page.

How to apply: Apply online at Blue Thumb’s website.

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted through February 15, 2022. Funding decisions and all notifications will be emailed in March 2022. Grant recipients have until December 15, 2022 to install their projects.
 

      Wellhead Protection Partner Grants Program (Pilot)

      The MN BWSR will be conducting a second round of grant funding for the Wellhead Protection Partner Grants Program (Pilot). This second round will hope to build upon projects currently underway to assist local government units in addressing their sensitive wellhead areas through land protection options such as fee title acquisition or long-term easements.   Only High or Very High vulnerable Wellhead Protection Areas as mapped in an approved Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Wellhead Protection Plan are eligible to apply.  This grant program is offered in conjunction with ongoing BWSR protection programs such as CREP and RIM where sensitive wellheads remain a high priority for enrollment. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sharon Doucette at 651-539-2567 or Sharon.Doucette@state.mn.us for additional information on this program and for assistance in submitting an application.

      How to Apply: Proposals must be submitted electronically to Sharon Doucette at Sharon.Doucette@state.mn.us.

      Application deadline: Applications due the last day of each month as funding is available.