Contact: Mary Juhl
612-358-5733; mary.juhl@state.mn.us
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) will provide a total of $179,000 in grant funding to six organizations for the Managing Invasives for Resilient Landscapes Program, which will support restoration of native plant communities in areas of Minnesota affected by terrestrial invasive or noxious weeds.
Grants under the Managing Invasives for Resilient Landscapes program can be used for activities that help manage terrestrial invasive plants, including mechanical removal of invasive species followed by the establishment of native plant communities. Grants may also support public engagement and outreach efforts that increase awareness of terrestrial invasive species management and native plant restoration. The program replaces BWSR’s Cooperative Weed Management Program, which shared similar goals. The updated program expands eligibility and increases funding amounts for individual grants.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- Anoka Conservation District
- Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District
- City of Plymouth
- Pennington Soil and Water Conservation District
- Pine County Soil and Water Conservation District
- Swift County Soil and Water Conservation District
“These grants will help local governments manage terrestrial invasive species for better conservation outcomes,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “This funding helps target efforts in areas where invasive species can be controlled and replaced with plants that provide habitat benefits to birds, pollinators and other wildlife.”
Eligible applicants included soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, cities, counties, townships, joint powers organizations, Tribal Governments and Tribal Consortiums.