Ecosystem restoration involves the reestablishment of vegetation complexes that are believed to have existed in an area prior to settlement of the area. Diverse ecosystems of native vegetation are believed by biologist to support a wider variety of wildlife and to be more resilient in the face of natural and man made disturbances.

USDA NRCS - Conservation Programs

There are many landowners within the Anoka County who are trying to do what they can to preserve our area's natural heritage. They are doing this through conservation easements and selling their property to land conservation organizations. Cost-share is offered to landowners having ecologically significant natural resources on their property as identified by the ACD in land cover analysis of Anoka County. ACD will also help landowners apply for land protection funding from existing programs including the MN DNR remediation Fund Grant Program, Metro Conservation Corridors, MN DNR Division of Wildlife acquisition funds, and Forest Legacy Program conservation easement program.

There are many landowners within the Anoka County who are trying to do what they can to preserve our area's natural heritage. They are doing this through conservation easements and selling their property to land conservation organizations. Cost-share is offered to landowners having ecologically significant natural resources on their property as identified by the ACD in land cover analysis of Anoka County. ACD will also help landowners apply for land protection funding from existing programs including the MN DNR remediation Fund Grant Program, Metro Conservation Corridors, MN DNR Division of Wildlife acquisition funds, and Forest Legacy Program conservation easement program.

Rain gardens are beautiful landscape features, but also help keep our lakes and streams clean. A rain garden’s job is to filter and soak in storm water runoff that would otherwise go into nearby waterbodies, usually through the curb and gutter system. Storm water from roofs, driveways, streets, and other hard surfaces is directed into the rain garden, which is in a depression. The garden is planted with plants that can tolerate periodic flooding. Standing water exists for only 2-3 days, eliminating mosquito breeding.

 ACD - Water Quality Cost Share

State Cost Share

The Anoka Conservation District has grants available for fixing failing septic systems at low income homes anywhere in the County. Grants are only for repair or replacement of SSTS, including septic systems, that have been deemed to be an imminent threat to public health or safety, or failing to protect groundwater. A notice of non-compliance must have been issued by the appropriate permitting agency (typically the city or township). Please see the grant policies and application provided below for more detail.

Grant Material:

Grant Policies and Application (pdf)

Grant Policies and Application (Word)

These projects restore native vegetation and other habitat components to stream or river banks. These projects often include measures to correct or prevent erosion.

ACD - Water Quality Cost Share

RCWD- Water Quality Cost Share

USDA NRCS- Conservation Programs

State Cost Share

NPEAP

The Anoka Conservation District assists private landowners, cities, schools and other organizations with a variety of habitat improvement. Projects range in size from a few hundred square feet to 40 acres and above, they also range in complexity from helping with species selection on a windbreak to restoring an oak savanna and the long term management. We are happy to assist landowners with improving habitat on their property including species selections for trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers and the placement of vegetation. We can also assist with invasive species removal plans to restore the diversity and balance of native systems.