The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making $280,000 available in grants for restoring native shoreline vegetation across the state.
Grant recipients will be reimbursed for a maximum of 75 percent of the total project costs. Applicants must be able to fund at least 25 percent of the total project costs from non-state sources. Matching funds may be cash, volunteer labor, and in-kind contributions of materials, equipment, and services.
"This is an opportunity for homeowners, local communities and conservation organizations to help enhance native shoreline vegetation and fish habitat in their local lakes, streams and rivers," said John Hiebert, DNR shoreland habitat coordinator. "A total of 29 projects were funded for $276,000 in 2004-2005."
Applications for grants, are available on the Minnesota DNR Web site at:
www.dnr.state.mn.us or by calling the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
Completed grant applications are due Sept. 16.
Successful applicants will be notified in January and funds will be made available to successful applicants after July 1, 2006.
The grants are funded from state lottery proceeds deposited in the Heritage Enhancement Account. Grants are administered through the DNR Division of Fisheries and Wildife and designed with guidance from local DNR fisheries managers.