Funding Available to Restore and Protect Minnesota’s Peatlands
Contact: Mary Juhl
612-358-5733; mary.juhl@state.mn.us
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is now accepting applications for Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) conservation easements to restore and protect previously drained peatlands.
Approximately $9.5 million is available for peatland restoration from the state general fund and funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Minnesota contains almost 7 million acres of peatlands, the most in the Lower 48 states. Peatlands are a type of carbon-rich wetland ecosystem characterized by permanently saturated organic soils. These peat soils, also known as histosols, form wetlands such as bogs, fens and wooded swamps.
Peatlands hold some of Minnesota’s largest carbon reserves but can release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as they dry and decompose. Restoring previously drained peatlands will reduce these emissions, restore carbon stocks, and can also increase floodwater storage, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. BWSR has developed a Potentially Restorable Peatlands mapping tool to assist in identifying histosols.
“This funding creates opportunities to restore and protect an abundant yet sensitive resource across Minnesota,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “Restoring our peatlands with conservation easements offers a number of ecological, climate and conservation benefits.”
BWSR is working on other potential partnerships with federal agencies, Tribal Governments, nongovernmental organizations and others that will further the purpose and goals of this peatlands initiative.
BWSR staff held a webinar on peatland restoration opportunities on Jan. 6, 2026. A recording of the webinar is available.
How to apply: Landowners who have restorable peatlands on their property are encouraged to enroll their land into this program. Landowners will receive a per-acre payment and retain private ownership of enrolled land. Landowners should work with their local soil and water conservation district staff to assist with peatland identification and application preparation and submittal. Learn more about how to apply here.
