Groups that want to restore, protect or enhance public land can apply for a Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant that helps pay for work on prairies, forests, wetlands or other habitat for fish and wildlife.

Nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible to submit applications for traditional and metro grant cycles until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources CPL website.

Projects must be on public land or land permanently protected by conservation easements. Applicants may request up to $400,000 with a total project cost not exceeding $575,000. Projects also must have a 10 percent match from a source outside a state agency.

Over $44 million has been granted through the CPL program for habitat projects throughout Minnesota. Funding comes from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, which was created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008.

Martin and Typo Lakes Rough Fish Barriers. In 2017 the Anoka Conservation District and the Sunrise River Watershed Management Organization collaborated to obtain a Conservation Partners Legacy grant for the construction of four new rough fish (carp) barriers around Typo and Martin Lakes. The project enhances lake water quality and maintains the quality of game fish in the lakes.

A rough fish barrier on Martin Lake

Three types of CPL grants. For fiscal year 2018, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council recommended allocating $4.5 million for the traditional grant cycle, $2.6 million for the metro grant cycle (for projects located in the seven-county metro area or within the city limits of Duluth, St. Cloud and Rochester) and $1.5 million for the Expedited Conservation Projects (ECP) grant cycle. The ECP cycle is open continuously through May 11, 2018, or until funds run out, with the first funding round due Sept. 25.

Questions can be directed to: Jessica Lee, CPL grant program coordinator for the DNR, jessica.lee@state.mn.us or 651-259-5233.