This project uses Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) easements on targeted private forest, wetlands, and shoreline within the Leech Lake and Pine River Major Watersheds to push towards a 75% protection rate.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources identified a strong correlation between lake water quality and habitat that sustains sensitive cold-water fish populations and maintaining 75% undeveloped land cover in the watershed.
Bridging Conservation was established with the purpose of creating new or expanding existing outreach and education programs for non-native English-speaking communities. The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Bridging Conservation Grants Program supports education and outreach activities regarding conservation.
Non-governmental organizations/nonprofit organizations, political subdivisions/local governments, Tribal Governments, and public/charter schools (K-12) are eligible for this funding.
In forested regions of the state some landowners desire to implement forest management practices on their RIM easements.
Agricultural wetland banking is a subset of the overall wetland banking system. The "ag bank" is solely for replacing wetlands impacted on agricultural lands for agricultural purposes.
Optional and example forms within the Grants Administration Manual include forms and example documents that have been made available for use, but are not required of any grant program.*
*For FY23 & older State Cost-Share grants, the BWSR-provided forms indicated with a "*" below are still required where applicable.
Billing Rates Option 1: + 15% F&A (xlsx) (updated 12/22/2025)