Trust Fund

When you play, Minnesota wins!  That’s because proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery help finance a variety of projects that preserve, restore, and enhance our state’s environment and natural resources. 

Each year, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund receives 40 percent of Lottery net proceeds, or about 6.6 cents of every dollar spent on lottery tickets. For fiscal year 2008, the Legislature appropriated $23 million to 31 projects based on recommendations by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Since it began in 1990, the Trust Fund has financed a total of 414 projects worth $254 million. 

Lottery contributions to the Trust Fund totaled $30.6 million in fiscal year 2008. The remaining 60 percent of net proceeds is allocated to the state General Fund to pay for programs related to public education, health and human services, and public safety, among others.  Additionally, an in-lieu-of-sales tax on lottery tickets contributed another $21.7 million (6.5 cents per dollar spent on lottery tickets) to environmental and natural resources programs in fiscal year 2008. This money was allocated for state and local parks and trails operations and maintenance, programs to enhance fishing and hunting, and the State’s three public zoos. 

For a county-by-county breakdown of past projects, see the Lottery's interactive Minnesota Trust Fund map.

The following projects will receive Trust Fund money in Fiscal Year 2008:

Minnesota’s Habitat Corridors Partnership – Phase IV - $4,200,000
http://www.mnhabitatcorridors.org/
Fifteen state, federal, and non-profit organizations have joined together in an effort to protect and restore critical habitat for fish, wildlife, and native plant communities.  Earlier phases of this project resulted in the restoration, enhancement, or conservation of more than 100,000 acres; these funds will allow the partnership to protect or restore nearly 17,000 additional acres throughout the state.

Metro Conservation Corridors – Phase III - $2,500,000
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/metroconservationcorridors/index.html
In an effort similar to the Habitat Corridors Partnership, nine organizations have come together to protect and restore critical habitat in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.  Through this program, these organizations will work with local communities to permanently protect 630 acres of significant wildlife habitat while restoring and enhancing an additional 203 acres.

Metropolitan Regional Park System Land Acquisition - $2,500,000
http://www.metrocouncil.org/parks/
The Metropolitan Council will use this funding to help acquire 210 acres of land to add to existing metropolitan regional parks

Forest Legacy Conservation Easements - $2,000,000
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/news/forestlegacy/tnc-factsheet.pdf
Much of Minnesota’s forests consist of large tracts of land held by private landowners.  However, changing economics are making it increasingly attractive for these landowners to subdivide and sell off parcels of their forest.  The development of roads and buildings that follows these sales can fragment the large amounts of unbroken forest that many species of wildlife need to thrive.  This program will allow the Department of Natural Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements on private forests in Minnesota.  These easements will allow existing uses of the forest, including sustainable timber harvesting, but will prevent development that could adversely affect the forest habitat.

State Park and Trail Land Acquisition - $1,500,000
Parks: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/index.html
Trails: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/index.html
This funding will help the Department of Natural Resources acquire privately held land within existing state park boundaries and parcels of land along state trail corridors.  Among the parks and trails affected are William O’Brien State Park, Frontenac State Park, George Crosby Manitou State Park, the Gateway Trail, and the Casey Jones State Trail.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - $1,500,000
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/mcbs/index.html
For the past 20 years the Department of Natural Resources has been systematically surveying the state’s natural habitats.  This study identifies significant natural areas and collects and interprets data on the distribution of native plant communities, rare plants, and rare animals.  Through 2007, project managers have completed surveys in 61 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.  During 2008 and 2009 work will begin or be continued in 12 counties.

Non-Metropolitan Regional Parks and Natural and Scenic Area Acquisition - $1,000,000
Through this program, the Department of Natural Resources will provide matching grants to local governments to help acquire parkland outside the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and natural and scenic areas statewide.

Cedar Creek Groundwater Project using Prairie Biofuel Buffers - $659,000
http://www.lter.umn.edu/
Biofuels—substitutes for petroleum-based fuel derived from vegetable crops—are currently largely derived from corn.  However, native prairie plants have the potential to provide the raw material for high quality biofuels while requiring less water and agricultural chemicals than corn.  At the same time, these plants can provide wildlife habitat, capture pollutants before they enter groundwater, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The University of Minnesota’s Cedar Creek Natural History Area will study the ability of prairie plants to simultaneously achieve these diverse aims.

Protection of Rare and Unique Rock Outcrop Wetlands - $563,000
http://www.renvilleswcd.com/
The Minnesota River Valley contains ancient bedrock outcrops with associated wetlands that provide unique habitats for plant and animal communities rarely found elsewhere in Minnesota.  These resources are threatened by mining and other development interests.  The Renville and Redwood Soil and Water Conservation Districts will protect 200 acres of outcrops and wetlands by acquiring permanent conservation easements from willing landowners.

Pyrolysis Pilot Project - $500,000
http://biorefining.cfans.umn.edu/home.php
The University of Minnesota Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering will collaborate with Rural Advantage to test and demonstrate a portable, water-free process for local conversion of a variety of agricultural products into liquid and gas fuels that can be used to heat homes or to generate electricity.

Evaluating Riparian Timber Harvesting Guidelines:  Phase 3 - $400,000
http://www.forestry.umn.edu/people/facstaff/blinn/
Woodlands along rivers and streams can provide habitat and water protection.  This University of Minnesota study will evaluate current guidelines for harvesting timber near Minnesota streams and rivers with an eye towards better protecting sensitive shoreland and aquatic environment.

County Geologic Atlas Program Acceleration - $400,000
http://talc.geo.umn.edu/mgs/county_atlas/countyatlas.htm
The Minnesota Geological Survey will continue to map the location, size, boundaries, and vulnerability of the state’s groundwater to support the sustainable use and protection of this critical resource.

Soil Survey - $400,000
http://soils.usda.gov/survey/printed_surveys/state.asp?state=Minnesota&abbr=MN
The Board of Water and Soil Resources in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will continue their ongoing study of the state’s soils.  This project will allow the mapping of soils covering 130,000 acres, including 30,000 acres in Crow Wing County.

Demonstrating Benefits of Conservation Grasslands on Water Quality - $374,000
http://www.smm.org/static/science/pdf/2007-2008highlights.pdf
Natural vegetation on lands adjacent to lakes, streams, and rivers provides important habitat and water quality benefits.  The Science Museum of Minnesota will study the long-term benefits of lakeside grasslands to better understand the role such vegetation can play in helping reduce the pollutants that run into our lakes, streams, and rivers.

Local Water Management Matching Challenge Grants - $350,000
http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/grantscostshare/lwplanning/index.html
This project will help local governments fund the implementation of their water management plans.

Pharmaceutical and Microbiological Pollution - $302,000
http://www.ce.umn.edu/people/faculty/lapara/
Human and veterinary antibiotics, hormones, and antibiotic resistant bacteria enter Minnesota waters through wastewater discharges, animal manure, and runoff.  The University of Minnesota’s Department of Civil Engineering is exploring a variety of practical, low cost technologies that can neutralize these substances before they enter the water supply.

Biological Control of European Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard - $300,000
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives
European buckthorn and garlic mustard are non-native plants that have rapidly spread throughout Minnesota to the detriment of native plants and wildlife.  This program aims to identify and test insects that will help control these invasive species without causing harm to the native environment.

Minnesota’s Water Resources:  Impacts of Climate Change – Phase II - $300,000
http://www.nrri.umn.edu
Minnesota’s climate is becoming increasingly warmer, wetter, and variable, and this is having extensive impacts on the State’s infrastructure and ecosystems.  The University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute will continue and expand a study measuring long-term trends in the state’s climate and water resources.  This phase of the project adds development of future climate scenarios specific to Minnesota, projections of potential economic and ecological impacts of those scenarios, and identification of key indicators that can be used to monitor changes in Minnesota’s climate over time.

Water Resource Sustainability - $292,000
http://www.bbe.umn.edu/staff/nieber.html
How much water can be taken from Minnesota’s surface and groundwater resources without depleting critical water supplies?  The University of Minnesota’s Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering will attempt to answer this question by constructing models that integrate what we know about both surface water and groundwater systems.  Researchers will produce a set of water resources atlases that will allow improved water resources planning.

Land Retirement Effects on Minnesota River Basin Streams - $275,000
http://mn.water.usgs.gov/
Does taking some land out of agricultural production improve water quality and wildlife habitat?  The U.S. Geological Survey will study streams in the Minnesota River basin to evaluate the effectiveness of current land retirement efforts and help determine the highest priorities for future land retirement.

Innovative Springshed Mapping for Trout Stream Management - $270,000
http://www.geo.umn.edu/people/profs/ALEXANDER.html
Trout streams depend on a steady supply of clean, cold water to exist.  The University of Minnesota’s Department of Geology will identify and map the springs and their recharge areas that supply Minnesota’s trout streams in southeast Minnesota and then assess the impacts that both land and aquatic development are having on these springs.

Prairie Stewardship Assistance for Private Landowners - $220,000
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us
Less than 1% of Minnesota’s native prairie survives, and much of it is privately owned.  Landowners often recognize the value of preserving this critical habitat but lack the training or resources to best do so.  This Department of Natural Resources program will work with approximately 40 landowners to develop “stewardship plans” that will aid in the management of 3200 privately owned acres and help approximately 50 landowners restore and improve another 1500 acres of native prairie.

Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan (SCPP) - $160,000
http://www.mnconservationplan.net
The Trust Fund funded Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan (SCPP) is a collaborative effort providing a long term vision and guide for Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.  This funding continues and expands this effort by enabling the SCPP team to do additional more in-depth analysis on transportation and mercury issues in Minnesota.

Improved River Quality Monitoring Using Airborne Remote Sensing - $159,000
http://sbs.mnsu.edu/geography/people/feiyuan.html
The Earth Science Program at Minnesota State University–Mankato will develop improved methods for monitoring and studying river water quality and riparian habitat in Minnesota.

Neutralization of Reed Canary Grass Root Exudates - $115,000
http://cset.mnsu.edu/biology/people/cook/index.html
Reed canary grass was first introduced into the United States in the 1800s as animal forage and to assist in erosion control.  However, it has proven to be an extremely aggressive invader that chokes out native species in wetlands.  Minnesota State University–Mankato researchers will study chemicals released through the roots of reed canary grass that seem to enable the aggressive spread of the plant by interfering with the growth of native plants.  With better understanding of these chemicals, it is possible that management practices can be developed to neutralize or limit the effects of the chemicals and thereby help remove or slow the spread of reed canary grass.

Intra-Lake zoning to Protect Sensitive Lakeshore Areas - $110,000
Cass County and the Department of Natural Resources are working together to identify sensitive shorelines on area lakes and implement innovative zoning practices to protect water quality and lakeshore habitat.

Threat of Emerging Contaminants to Upper Mississippi Walleye - $97,000
http://web.stcloudstate.edu/aquatictox/
A 2006 survey of the Mississippi River in Minnesota identified several locations where pollutants were disrupting the endocrine (hormonal) systems in various species of fish, notably walleye.  This St. Cloud State University study will further assess the threat this poses to the river’s fish populations.

Field Guide for Evaluating Vegetation of Restored Wetlands - $53,000
http://www.bonestroo.com/
This project will result in an easy-to-use field guide that will help conservationists, construction inspectors, farmers, government workers, and others evaluate the quality of restored wetlands.

DataWorkshop: Democratizing access to Minnesota’s data assets – a user friendly data integration and visualization tool - $49,000
http://gisdata.nrri.umn.edu/Tracker/DataWorkshop/
Minnesota has accumulated massive amounts of important data pertaining to successful management of its environment and natural resources, but currently much of it is not easily accessible to many of the organizations and local governments that could benefit from it.  As part of the Trust Fund funded Statewide Conservation and Preservation Plan (SCPP), this project will create an interactive web-based tool that makes Minnesota’s most current environment and natural resources data easily and readily accessible to all. 

Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Administration - $1,278,000
This funding provides for two years of the administration of the LCCMR, its project proposal and recommendation process, and the contract management and project reporting of Trust-Fund funded projects.  Since 1963, the program that is now LCCMR has played a foundational role in the appropriation of over $550 million to more than 1250 projects directly benefiting Minnesota's environment and natural resources.

DNR Contract Administration
This funding provides for one year of the monetary administration and accounting of Trust Fund appropriations to projects by non-state entities.