Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Phone: 952-854-5900 |
Before the land was settled, native prairie spread uninterrupted for miles across southwestern and western Minnesota as a sea of waving grass up to eight feet tall. Wetlands were alive with energy as turtles swam and frogs hopped along the swaying cattails. These habitats were not only beautiful, but vital to the balance of Minnesota’s natural ecosystem. Prairie and wetland habitats reduce erosion, flooding, and promote diversity. Wetlands also play an important part in restoring ground water and improving water quality.
Today, 1% of Minnesota’s native prairie remains and thousands wetlands have been drained. The need to protect and restore our state's natural habitat is critical. From 1988-1999, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has assisted in restoring 7,501 acres wetland and 1939.3 acres of prairie habitats. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge works in 13 counties with private landowners who wish to restore some of their land to its natural state: Blue Earth, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Goodhue, LaSueur, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Sibley, Steele and Waseca counties. By restoring natural habitat on their land, these landowners become part of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.
How can I restore a prairie or wetland with the Fish and Wildlife Service?
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Contact a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Representative
Discuss with USFWS what your restoration goals are for your property. The representative will present options available to you and what the steps are.
Site Visit by a Representative
A site visit will allow the representative to make an inital assessment of the property. This, in combination with a survey, will determine the possibility of restoration and the benefit to the local watershed and habitat.
Review Restoration and Conservation Options - Select One that Meets Your Need
The representative will discuss the restoration potential of your property. They will offer suggestions on how the Partners for Fish & Wildlife program will play a role. At this time, the representative will discuss available cost strategies. You will work with the representative to select the option that will best meet your goals. The representative may also refer you to other programs that may fill your needs.
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Initiation of Restoration Process
A timeline for restoration will be established and initiated.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
Becoming a part of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program is easy and rewarding. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners pay for the $1000/acre to restore the grasslands/wetlands so there is no cost to the landowner. Property that is being restored is usually marked by a Partners for Fish and Wildlife Sign. The following is a list of the benefits, requirements, and sign up periods for the program.
Partners for Wildlife Restoration:
Habitat:Wetland |
Grassland |
Benefits:Improve water and soil quality, restore wildlife habitat, and flood control |
Improve water and soil quality, restore wildlife habitat, and flood control |
Length of agreement:10 years for most projects, longer for some |
15 years for most projects, longer for some |
Payment:None |
None |
Eligibility:Areas where a small ditch can be plugged or tile can be broken to restore wetlands |
A minimum site of 20 acres of uplands with existing or restorable wetlands present |
Provisions: -No dugouts, only restorations - 100% cost share to landowner in most situations- No restriction to haying or grazing - All restoration efforts can be removed at end of contract period at landowner expense |
-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or local conservation organization will work with landowner to prepare and seed site - 100% cost share to landowner in most situations- Landowner controls access and is responsible for weed control- No haying or grazing - All restoration efforts can be removed at end of contract period at landowner expense |
Sign-up PeriodContinuous sign-up |
Continuous sign-up |
Several counties, businesses and associations help out and contribute donatations to the Partners in Wildlife Program. We would like to recognize these people for their generous contributions. Without them, the program would not be possible.
