The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold workshops in Grand Rapids, Fergus Falls and Thief River Falls to help conservation organizations and local governments apply for Outdoor Heritage Conservation Partners Grants. The grants program has $3.7 million available for projects throughout Minnesota.
Workshops will begin at 7 p.m. with a short overview of the program, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and work through potential grant ideas.
The workshops are set for Sept. 28, with the nearest workshop being held at the DNR Regional Headquarters, 1201 E Highway 2, Grand Rapids.
Other workshops will be held Sept. 29 at the DNR Area Office,1509 First Ave N., Fergus Falls and Sept. 30, DNR Area Office,246 125th Ave NE, Thief River Falls.
For information about the Grand Rapids workshop or projects in northeastern Minnesota, contact Dave Olfelt at (218) 999-7945. For information about the Fergus Falls or Thief River Falls workshops or projects in northwestern Minnesota, contact John Williams at (218) 308-2680.
Half of the grants awarded during the first round of the Outdoor Heritage Grants program will be for under $125,000 and half for more than $125,000. The minimum grant amount is $5,000. The maximum grant amount is $400,000. A second round of grants will be offered if there are funds remaining after this fall’s selections, or if the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) and the Legislature fund the program again next year.
Organizations must fund 10 percent of the project from non-state sources. Requests for proposals went out Sept. 5 with first-round applications due Nov. 3.
Successful applications will be selected by Dec. 15. Program details are available at www. dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/ lessard-sams.html.
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