For information on grant programs that fund natural
resource improvements, contact your local municipality.
You can also visit Hennepin County's website
or Carver County's website and enter "cost share" in the search bar. Hennepin County also offers environmental
education grants. For more information on that program, visit Hennepin County's website and enter "green partners"
in the search bar.
Lake Minnewashta Grant Program
Lake
Minnewashta Preservation Association (LMPA) in coordination with Carver County
Soil & Water Conservation District (CSWCD) along with Metro Blooms and
Conservation Corp Minnesota (CCM) will provide grants and technical assistance
for residential rainwater runoff projects (for approved projects). Eligible
area is the Lake Minnewashta Watershed area bounded by highway 7 on the north,
highway 5 on the south, highway 41 on the east and Rolling Acres Road on the
west. Whether
your land is lake side or a residential lot, all are welcome. Metro
Blooms will manage projects and supervise the installation on the property of grant recipients. This is
a time-sensitive offer and limited to the first three applicants, however,
there could be future opportunities with a revised grant program.
There are several grants possible associated to this program:
- LMPA will provide an upfront grant of $630 to cover the cost for
Metro Blooms to provide consultation, design, estimate and assist in filling
out the CSWCD application.
- CCM will provide a labor crew for installing qualified/approved
projects including area preparation, removal of unneeded sod, etc. and installation
of all new materials.
- Resident is also eligible for an additional reimbursement grant
that would include the cost of materials and project management by Metro Booms.
This grant is through CSWCD where they can provide grant money up to 75% of the
cost with the remaining 25% by the resident. Requires CSWCD Board approval and
resident agreeing to a 10 year maintenance agreement.
Interested parties should contact any of the following, with
approval from LMPA, Metro Blooms will then assist with consultation, design and
filling in the application.
Seth
Ristow – sristow@co.carver.mn.us, Resource Conservation
Technician, CSWCD
Jennifer
Ehlert – jennifer@metroblooms.org, Metro Blooms
Kevin Zahler – kjzahler@hotmail.com, Minnesota Water Steward, LMPA
Wetlands function as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. They also provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife, and support healthy fish populations. In fact, 43% of the threatened and endangered species on federal lists rely directly or indirectly on wetlands for their survival. They provide many benefits, and are very important parts of our natural systems because they: