The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has up to $1,060,000 available to local entities such as lake associations, watershed districts, cities, counties, and Tribal governments for the management of curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush and starry stonewort.
Funding comes from Minnesota’s invasive species account, which is largely funded by the invasive species surcharge on watercraft registrations and nonresident fishing licenses.
The grant application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9. Preliminary award notices will be issued in February 2027, and award funds to reimburse eligible work will be available as soon as March 2027.
Application materials and details about the grant program are on the DNR website.
Invasive aquatic plants are non-native plants that can potentially reduce native plant diversity and create recreational nuisances in water bodies. The DNR’s invasive plant management goal is to minimize the harmful effects of invasive aquatic plants while protecting lake habitats and supporting recreational uses.
Management of invasive aquatic plants, including work funding through these grants, requires a permit from the DNR. Permit applications are evaluated using several criteria, including how selectively the treatment targets invasive plants and whether it minimizes potential negative impacts.
Questions can be directed to DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Research and Grants Coordinator Angelique Dahlberg, [email protected] or to DNR regional invasive species specialists.