$35,000 in Conservation Grants Made Possible by Michelob Golden Draft Light and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
St. Cloud, Minn. (Dec. 8, 2008) - Today, Minnesota Waters is announcing its 2008 Lake and Stream Conservation Partnership grant recipients. The grants are made possible by a matching $35,000 donation from Michelob Golden Draft Light and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  The Lake and Stream Conservation Partnership is designed to help citizen groups across Minnesota implement projects that improve shoreland habitat and water quality in their communities. The grant program is directed towards projects that promote better water management practices through citizen education.

• Rollie Johnson Natural and Recreational Area Joint Powers Board (Crow Wing County) will stabilize and revegetate steep eroding sand banks of a publicly owned island.
• Pelican Lakes Property Owners Association (Crow Wing County) will restore shoreline on Pelican Lake Elks Camp property and provide environmental education programs for the Elks Camp youth.
• Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District (Kandiyohi County) will restore shoreline on Green Lake in a public park and provide educational signs which will interpret the restoration.
• Rice Soil and Water Conservation District (Rice County) will provide educational workshops for landowners to learn how to design and install their own rain gardens and will provide funds for 10 homeowner rain gardens.
• Waterville Lakes Association (LeSueur County) will build a 600 square foot rain garden on public property. This will serve as a demonstration site to educate local residents about the water quality benefits of rain gardens.
• Blue Lake Association (Hubbard County) will restore native vegetation to a newly vacated township road which is adjacent to Blue Lake.
• Lake Mille Lacs Association Inc. (Aitkin, Crow Wing, and Mille Lacs Counties) will provide hands-on workshops to educate landowners about lake-friendly landscaping and install one sample site. Additionally, parcel data mapping will be conducted to identify future project sites.

"These organizations are to be commended for their efforts to promote conservation along Minnesota's waterways," stated Rick Oleshak, product manager for Michelob Golden Draft Light. "We are honored to join with Minnesota Waters and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in recognizing and supporting these outstanding projects." Read Full Article