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November 1, 2000 <br /> <br />Dear Community Leader: <br /> <br />Thc Metro Region of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is pleased to armoiance <br />the FY2001 request for Metro Greenways Site Protection Nominations <br /> <br />Metro Greenways is a collaborative, public/private effort to develop'and manage a regional <br />network of natural areas, parks and other open space~ interconnecte~t by ecological corridors in <br />the seven county metropolitan region. There are several components to this initiative including <br />technical assistance, planning grants, land protection funds and coordinating with the many <br />natural resource planning, restoration protection projects occurring in the region. Over $500,000 <br />in matching grb. nts have been awarded to implementing agencies to conduct natural resource <br />inventories, land cover mapping, and natural resource management and greenway plans. In <br />addition, $5 million in state funds have been allocated toward 15 land protection and restoration <br />projects. These and many other projects demonstrate the continued importance that Twin City <br />residents place upon protecting and managing important natural areas. <br /> <br />Over the past two years, funding requests for land protection have far surpassed the financial <br />resources available. In response to this demand, the Leguslat~ve Comm~ssmn on Minnesota <br />Resources has recommended that Meti'o Greenways receive $2.5 million for land protection <br />dur/ng the next biennium. Although this recommendation must still be approved by the full <br />Legislature during the upcoming 2001 session, it is important to identify and evaluate significant <br />land protection sites which would be eligible to receive any approved funds. By beginning the <br />process now, more time will be available for interested parties to identify, prioritize and prepare <br />nomination materials for protecting important sites. Secondly, by further documenting the need <br />and interest in the program, there will be stronger rationale for providing adequate funding. <br /> <br />Enclosed are the 2001 Metro Greenway Site Nomination materials. Although the nomination <br />materials and processes are very similar to previous years, there are a few changes from last year. <br />Since there are other programs such as Conservation Partners and the Big Rivers Partnership <br />which are targeted toward natural resource restoration, funding will be focused primar/Iy on land <br />protection. Unlike previous years, funds can also be in the form of grants as opposed to solely <br />purchasing a legal interest in the land. <br /> <br />3-2. <br /> <br />Minnesolll Departmenl of Natural Resources <br />12011 W,~'n ~r gt,~d <br />SI. PouI, MN 551~ <br /> <br /> <br />