History:  On May 24, 2016, the board approved the Natural Resources Strategic Plan and the Hennepin County Conservation Easement Program (Resolution 16-0144R2), which together established a framework to pursue conservation easements and criteria for evaluating conservation easement opportunities.

A conservation easement is a set of development restrictions a landowner voluntarily places on his or her property in order to preserve its conservation value. The landowner retains ownership of the land and continues to pay property taxes.

Natural resource corridors and ecologically significant areas are two main types of natural areas to be considered for protection. Natural resource corridors are open spaces that contain and connect natural areas, lakes, streams, wetlands, and regional parks. They contain ecologically significant natural areas, which include forests, prairies and wetlands with primarily native vegetation that have been classified as the best remaining natural areas in Hennepin County.

These natural areas face increasing pressure in the next few decades as more land becomes developed, making it critical to protect these areas while they remain.

Fully protected and restored natural areas benefit the county and its residents by facilitating groundwater recharge, aiding in stormwater management and flood control, protecting and improving air and water quality, providing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, and increasing the value of neighboring properties.

The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) is comprised of 12 appointed members (8 public, 4 legislators) charged with making annual recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature for appropriations from the Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF). The OHF was created by the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. The LSOHC estimates approximately $100 million will be available in fiscal year 2019 (July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019). Funding applications are due May 31, 2017.

Current Request: This request seeks authorization to apply for a grant in the amount of $5,000,000 for the acquisition of conservation easements from willing landowners and to restore and enhance natural resource corridors and ecologically significant natural areas and other existing permanently protected areas on behalf of the county. Partners that may assist the county with easement acquisition and restoration include the Minnesota Land Trust, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Minnesota Waterfowl Association.

Impact/Outcomes: The grant would allow Hennepin County to permanently preserve some of its most unique and important natural areas (for example, the remaining Big Woods forests, tamarack bogs, and native tall grass prairies) as well as restore the natural areas and habitat on current and future easement properties.