Working Lands Initiative (WLI)
In Minnesota's prairie pothole region, the fate of wildlife is largely determined by what happens on private lands. With technical and financial assistance, private landowners can affect landscape changes that would benefit wildlife.
The Working Lands Initiative (WLI) brings together public, private, and non-profit organizations in local project teams to provide assistance to landowners interested in identifying economically viable conservation focus areas and strategies. In some cases, land might be set aside to restore wildlife habitat. Other projects might involve changes in certain agricultural practices in ways that support both wildlife and the economic vitality of the farming operation.
Target areas are those where investments have already been made or major components of habitat are already in place. The "Working Lands" can add the remaining management needs or restoration work to complete the habitat system, causing maximum wildlife benefit on minimal acres.
WLI is currently being promoted in four "target areas" in Big Stone County, including Barry, Moonshine, Otrey and Correll. Since 2007, in the Barry and Otrey target area, funds have been distributed to several cooperators willing to apply these conservation practices. If you are a landowner in any of the four target areas and are interested in becoming a WLI cooperator, please call the SWCD office for more information.
The Working Lands Initiative (WLI) brings together public, private, and non-profit organizations in local project teams to provide assistance to landowners interested in identifying economically viable conservation focus areas and strategies. In some cases, land might be set aside to restore wildlife habitat. Other projects might involve changes in certain agricultural practices in ways that support both wildlife and the economic vitality of the farming operation.
Target areas are those where investments have already been made or major components of habitat are already in place. The "Working Lands" can add the remaining management needs or restoration work to complete the habitat system, causing maximum wildlife benefit on minimal acres.
WLI is currently being promoted in four "target areas" in Big Stone County, including Barry, Moonshine, Otrey and Correll. Since 2007, in the Barry and Otrey target area, funds have been distributed to several cooperators willing to apply these conservation practices. If you are a landowner in any of the four target areas and are interested in becoming a WLI cooperator, please call the SWCD office for more information.
Native Buffer Strip
There is a new cost-share program to help restore prairie buffers in Minnesota. The Native Buffer Program requires that each Cost-Share Contract have a goal to obtain a minimum of 25 native prairie species. In addition, the seed to obtain this goal must be “source identified” seed from the same ecotype region that the contract is located in.
The program will provide 75% cost-share for establishing the prairie stand. This includes tillage, chemical site prep, seed costs, seeding and establishment (clipping) costs. Contracts will be a minimum of 10 years in length. Most types of riparian lands are eligible provided the 25 species goal is met. The SWCD board can be more restrictive on eligible lands and can set priorities for the program.
The benefits of the program in addition to water quality and wildlife habitat are: haying, harvest for energy production, and seed propagation. These can be conducted for monetary compensation to the landowner. This cost-share practice can be used on other program lands, but any restrictions of those programs still apply. To facilitate native seed production, projects not under other programs can be seeded in species specific strips for ease of seed harvest.
The program will provide 75% cost-share for establishing the prairie stand. This includes tillage, chemical site prep, seed costs, seeding and establishment (clipping) costs. Contracts will be a minimum of 10 years in length. Most types of riparian lands are eligible provided the 25 species goal is met. The SWCD board can be more restrictive on eligible lands and can set priorities for the program.
The benefits of the program in addition to water quality and wildlife habitat are: haying, harvest for energy production, and seed propagation. These can be conducted for monetary compensation to the landowner. This cost-share practice can be used on other program lands, but any restrictions of those programs still apply. To facilitate native seed production, projects not under other programs can be seeded in species specific strips for ease of seed harvest.
Minnesota Walk In Access Program
The Minnesota Walk-In Access Program allows hunters/trappers to access private land. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) enters into an agreement with each individual landowner to allow public access to their enrolled land. Details of the program include:
- THE PROGRAM IS ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY TO LANDOWNERS!!
- Lands enrolled in the program are publicized through printed maps, MN DNR website, and placing MN WIA signs around property boundaries.
- Landowners are protected from liability unlike private leases
- Landowners are offered a $10/acre incentive payment for allowing public hunting access on their lands
- Minimum size is 40 acres: smaller parcels can be enrolled if directly adjacent to state/federal land
- Bonus for more than 160 acres enrolled, if the land is within 1/2 mile of other public hunting land (WMA, WPA, etc.), and
if multi-year contract is signed.
- Hunters can hunt WIA sites during any open season. Contract dates begin on September 1st and expire May 31st the following year.
- 30-day opt out for landowners in case they have a negative experience
- DNR Conservation Officers will handle trespass and hunting violations
- THE PROGRAM IS ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY TO LANDOWNERS!!
- Lands enrolled in the program are publicized through printed maps, MN DNR website, and placing MN WIA signs around property boundaries.
- Landowners are protected from liability unlike private leases
- Landowners are offered a $10/acre incentive payment for allowing public hunting access on their lands
- Minimum size is 40 acres: smaller parcels can be enrolled if directly adjacent to state/federal land
- Bonus for more than 160 acres enrolled, if the land is within 1/2 mile of other public hunting land (WMA, WPA, etc.), and
if multi-year contract is signed.
- Hunters can hunt WIA sites during any open season. Contract dates begin on September 1st and expire May 31st the following year.
- 30-day opt out for landowners in case they have a negative experience
- DNR Conservation Officers will handle trespass and hunting violations