Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program

NEXT ROUND OF FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE
Applications for FY2012 Round 2 funding are now being accepted until 5pm on February 8, 2012. See CPL program information and requirements within the RFP on the FY2012 Grant Information page and access the application system on the How to Apply page.
FY2012 Round 1 grant awards have been made. See FY2012 Grant Information page for list of awards.
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See all rounds of funded projects ![]()
Funding for the CPL grant program is from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, created by the people of Minnesota. The CPL Program was recommended by the L-SOHC to (and approved by) the MN Legislature annually since 2009.
The CPL Program has been recommended by the L-SOHC to (and approved by) the MN Legislature from 2009-2011. The MN DNR manages this program to provide competitive grants from $5,000 to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national nonprofit organizations, including government entities. The grants are for work to enhance, restore, or protect the forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota.
FY2012
In FY2012, there was a total of $5.31 million available for to award as grants. Applications for the first round of awards were accepted until September 15, 2011. There were 31 applications for a total of $2.83 million in requests. Of that, 20 projects were funded for a total of $1.8 million. The open application period for Round 2 and the remainder of available funds is expected to be announced in early December. The application will be online and access to the system can be found on the How to Apply page. The Request for Proposals and further specific information can be accessed by clicking on the FY2012 Grant Information link to the left.
FY2011
In FY2011, there were 2 rounds of funding. For the first round, 56 applications totaling $5.9 million in requests were received. Of that, 35 applications for a total of $3.72 million were funded. During the second round, 21 applications totaling $1.3 million were received and 13 projects for a total of $630,400 were funded. Click on the FY11 Grant Information link to the left for all current available information on these awarded grants. A total of $4,065,584 was awarded in FY2011.
FY2010
For the first year of the CPL Program, 127 applications totaling $16.5 million in requests were received. Of that, 35 applications for a total of $3.74 million were funded. Click on the FY10 Grant Information link to the left for specific application and summary information. All grant funds were awarded during the fall cycle.
Information for Grant Applicants
Many of the requirements for this grant program are based on recommendations by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) to and approved by the Minnesota Legislature. These requirements were incorporated into the DNRs Conservation Partners Grant Program Accomplishment Plan as approved by the LSOHC. Links to all years of legislation and Accomplishment Plans are provided below.
- Minnesota Constitution, Article XI. See Section 15
- 2009 MN Law Chapter 172, Article 1. See Section 2, Subd.5(a) (FY2010)
- 2010 MN Law Chapter 361, Article 1. See Section 2, Subd. 5(i) (FY2011)
- 2011 MN Law First Special Session Chapter 6, Article 1. See Section 2, Subd. 5(g) (FY2012)
- Conservation Partners Grants Program FY2011 Accomplishment Plan

This is a general overview of the DNR’s management plan for this program, including activities, grant process, selection criteria, budget, and timeline information.
For more information contact:
Email: LSCPLGrants.DNR@state.mn.us
Phone:
Jamie Gangaware, Conservation Grants Specialist
651-259-5174 (St. Paul)
Mailing Address:
Conservation Partners Legacy Grant
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Road
Box #20
St. Paul, MN 55155
Related DNR Programs:
Other Related Programs:
- Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council

- Clean Water Legacy Fund Grants

- Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program
- Parks and Trails Legacy Plan

