On Sept. 12, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission aproved an $835,500 grant under the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) for a project called, Northern Tallgrass Prairie Project I.  The project is within the boundaries of the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be responsible for administering the grant locally.

The grant activities will restore, acquire, or enhance 646.5 acres of declining wetland habitats and 2470 acres of wetland-associated uplands.

The project area shows some of the highest densities of breeding waterfowl in Minnesota. Strategic landscape level modeling and inventories assisted partners in targeting efforts to maximize waterfowl and migratory bird populations.

Partner activities will provide breeding habitat for three high priority waterfowl species: Mallard, Northern Pintail, and Lesser Scaup.

Other priority waterfowl species that will benefit include Wood Duck, Redhead, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, and American Wigeon.

The area is also used by Cackling Canada Goose, American Black Duck, and Greater Scaup for feeding and resting during spring and fall migration.

It also provides critical breeding and migration habitat for over 200 other bird species.