Isanti County

This listing is produced by the Minnesota State Lottery from information provided by project managers and the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.  While we attempt to provide the most current information, specific project locations and allocations do change. Information on projects for the current biennium, in particular, should be regarded as preliminary.

County Geologic Atlas and South-Central Minnesota Groundwater – 2009
This appropriation to the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Geological Survey and Department of Natural Resources will help collect information on the geology of Minnesota below the surface, including the state’s critical groundwater resources. The project will pay particular attention to the Mt. Simon aquifer, one of the major sources of water in central Minnesota, with this year’s studies focusing on McLeod, Wright, Sherburne, and Isanti counties. In addition, the Minnesota Geological Survey will produce atlases of the geology of Todd, Carlton, McLeod, Carver, Benton, and Chisago counties.

Cedar Creek Groundwater Project using Prairie Biofuel Buffers – 2007.
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 will study the ability of prairie plants to simultaneously achieve these diverse aims at the Cedar Creek Natural History Area near East Bethel.

Cedar Creek Natural History Area Interpretive Center and Restoration – 2005-07 biennium. The University of Minnesota plans to use this grant from the Trust Fund to restore 400 acres of savanna and prairie, construct a Science Interpretive Center and create interpretive trails at the Cedar Creek History Area near East Bethel.

Local Grants Initiative Program: Outdoor Recreation Grants – 2001-03 biennium. Money from the Trust Fund as well as the Minnesota Future Resources Fund was allocated during the biennium for this project administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. As a result, grants were provided for more than 130 different local environmental initiatives under several different categories, each with their own requirements: the Natural and Scenic Area grants program, Regional Park grants, Local Park grants, Conservation Partner grants and Environmental Partnership grants. In Isanti County, the Trust Fund portion of the allocation was used for a grant to help the Isanti County Environmental Coalition conduct a study of the wetland area at Wayside Prairie Park.

Minnesota County Biological Survey - 1997-99 biennium.  Minnesota still has pockets of rare plants, animals and natural areas that need to be protected, managed and studied. The Department of Natural Resources is surveying every county in Minnesota to locate these areas. Since the survey began in 1987, 29 counties have been surveyed.  The survey will begin work in Isanti County during the 1997-99 biennium. 

Environmental Action Grants for Minnesota Schools - 1995-97 biennium.  The Department of Natural Resources is working with St. Olaf College’s School Nature Area Project to conduct a pilot program in which 40 K-12 schools receive matching grants to establish or enhance nature areas within walking distances of the school buildings.  Students at Isanti Elementary School used one of these grants to construct a native prairie and butterfly garden.

Wetland Restoration and Enhancement to Create Community Amenity and Form - 1995-97 biennium.  The University of Minnesota worked with five communities to help them restore and enhance wetlands in a way that will improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, provide new recreational opportunities and give neighborhoods an identity.  This grant was used in Cambridge to demonstrate how a wetland and lake system can assist in growth management.  Lead agency:  University of Minnesota.

09/25/09 - TM