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LCCMR
<br />Page 5
<br />2022 Funding Priorities (Continued)
<br />F. Methods to Protect or Restore Land, Water, and Habitat
<br />Please review "Additional Requirements for Land Acquisition, Easements, and Restoration Projects." (see page 6)
<br />1. Innovative protection or restoration of lands with high -quality natural resources, ecological value, water
<br />protection value, or habitat, particularly for pollinators.
<br />2. Long term preservation of native forest, wetland, or prairie plant genetics and viability.
<br />3. Technical assistance for stewardship of prairies, forests, wetlands, or other habitat, or technical
<br />assistance for agricultural land management in order to protect water quality and aquatic habitat or to
<br />improve pollinator habitat.
<br />4. Planning and implementation of community -based efforts to permanently conserve natural resources
<br />and reduce habitat fragmentation impacts on natural resources, including the impacts of transportation
<br />and other infrastructure.
<br />G. Land Acquisition, Habitat, and Recreation
<br />Please review "Additional Requirements for Land Acquisition, Easements, and Restoration Projects." (see page 6)
<br />1. The Reinvest in Minnesota program as provided in M.S. section 84.95, subdivision 2.
<br />2. Acquisition or development of strategic lands with high quality natural resources, ecological value,
<br />recreational value, water protection value, or habitat, particularly for pollinators.
<br />3. Acquisition or development of lands that have the greatest capacity to contribute multiple conservation
<br />benefits to wildlife, humans, and ground and surface water quality.
<br />4. Efforts based on precision conservation methods and analysis that quantifiably identify the lands most
<br />critical to acquire. Precision conservation is a practice that considers lands in terms of the
<br />interconnected systems of which they are a part. As a practice, precision conservation compiles and
<br />integrates multiple types of available data layers and analysis (e.g., terrain analysis, soil productivity,
<br />habitat potential, economic analysis, erosion potential, proximity to surface water) to identify and guide
<br />efforts that will maximize conservation benefits.
<br />5. Efforts involving Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) or other areas that aim to protect unique
<br />ecosystems, such as native prairie as defined in M.S. 84.02, Subd. 5, or rare, endangered, or
<br />threatened species. Areas of these types that may not presently qualify as a priority for other State of
<br />Minnesota funds directed toward land acquisition for habitat or recreation are of particular interest.
<br />6. Efforts that enhance habitat connectivity, benefit ground or surface water quality, improve access for
<br />natural resource management, or increase public access for recreation, particularly in areas of the
<br />state with limited protected public lands.
<br />7. Efforts expanding outdoor recreational opportunities through additions and connections to state,
<br />regional, or local parks and trails.
<br />H. Small Projects
<br />The LCCMR encourages proposals under $200,000, especially from local government units and non -profits, to
<br />quickly and efficiently provide environment and natural resource benefits in Minnesota. Proposals should address
<br />one or more of the priorities listed in the above categories A through G.
<br />Funding May Be Available Through Other Programs
<br />Projects eligible for established, topic -specific state agency grant programs - such as for renewable energy,
<br />sustainable agriculture, clean water implementation, regional and local parks and trails, and habitat acquisition
<br />and restoration - are encouraged to apply directly to the particular state agency grant program as funds may be
<br />available in a timelier manner.
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