Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Metro Grant Cycle

The Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program, managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, offers competitive grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 for projects that restore, protect, or enhance vital habitats like prairies and wetlands. Applicants must provide a 10% match of non-state funds and the total project cost cannot exceed $1,000,000. Focused on habitat benefits, the program emphasizes conservation easements and public ownership for funded projects.

Grant Program Summary
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the CPL program to provide competitive matching grants from $5,000 up to $500,000 to local, regional, state, and national nonprofit organizations and government entities. Grants must restore, protect or enhance prairies, wetlands, forests, or habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. A 10% match of non-state funds is required for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. The amount and source of match must be identified at the time of application. Total project costs may not exceed $1,000,000. CPL is a reimbursement-based grant program.
Goals and Priorities
The CPL program is habitat-focused. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. All applications should identify the direct habitat benefit of the project. All projects must adhere to MS 97A.056.
Restoration and enhancement projects will only be funded on lands that are:
permanently protected by a conservation easement as defined in MN Statutes 84C.01;in public ownership; orin public waters as defined in MN Statutes, Section 103G.005, subdivision 15.
Acquisition projects may include acquiring land through fee title or permanent conservation easement.
Lands acquired in fee title must be open to the public for hunting and fishing during all open seasons unless otherwise provided by law.