Announcing our 1st Fund Raiser for the Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) program within Minnesota DNR (every dollar donated will generate an additional $2).

 

 Click to make donation to support SNA management.

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Friends of Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) aim to raise $20,000 (the first $10,000 is already raised) for the SNA program. The DNR Commissioner's office will match these funds with Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Critical Habitat Funds/Environment and Natural Resources Trust Funds for a total of up to $60,000 (possibly more if our goal is exceeded).

 

1. Scientific and Natural Areas and Native Prairie Bank  protect significant populations of rare plants and animals, sites of high biodiversity significance, high-quality native plant communities, and geological features of state or national importance.

2. Iconic SNAs like the Lost 40, Felton Prairie, Prairie Coteau, Minnesota Point Pine Forest, and Lost Valley Prairie require meaningful public support to maintain their high-quality native plant communities and rare species. 

3. Many rare species count on DNR land management and protection for survival. A few examples include the western prairie fringed orchid, piping plovers, wood turtles, ball cactus, Dakota skippers, and butternut trees.

4. Without significant ongoing land management, Scientific and Natural Areas and Native Prairie Banks will degrade and lose their rare species and plant communities.

5. SNA staff implement key land management activities such as prescribed burns, invasive control, rare species avoidance, and habitat rehabilitation. Your donations will support this on-the-ground work.

 

Thanks to an anonymous donor, FMSNA has a unique opportunity to gift the money raised to the SNA program. The donor’s gift of $5,000 to FMSNA is being matched by existing FMSNA funds  for a total of $10,000. It is the goal of FMSNA to raise an additional $10,000, making a combined gift of $20,000 to the SNA Program.

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SNAs have significant needs for natural resource management.

• Prescribed fire in both grasslands and fire-dependent forests

• Controlling invasive species through a variety of methods

• Enhancing habitat for rare species and native plant communities

• Restoring native plant communities to a healthy condition

• Reconstructing plant communities where they've been lost

Donations go a long way in supporting SNA staff, who implement these natural resource management projects. 

 

SNA staff:

• Provide operational support in the restoration, maintenance, and enhancement of natural communities so that important sites are protected.

• Are trained by the state’s top native species experts to ensure proper land management implementation.

• Conduct natural resource management tasks to maintain and improve native plant and animal communities and prevent or correct problems. 

• Develop and maintain parking lots, roads, signs, gates, and fences to protect natural resources and promote appropriate public activities. They maintain equipment such as ATVs, UTVs, Tractors, trailers, water pumps, chainsaws, and brush saws.

• Facilitate, organize, and direct the work of contractors, laborers, volunteers, and temporary crews to expand the implementation of on-the-ground natural resource management.​

 

Every dollar you donate becomes $3

 

Please join us in achieving our goal that will result in a boost of $60,000 to the management of SNAs statewide. 

 

How you can help power our mission:

1. Donate: Every dollar counts. Contribute now to help us reach our goal.

2. Share: Share our campaign with your friends, family, and on social media. Your advocacy can amplify our impact

 

Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.