Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program
Dakota County's Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Grant Program provides funding for projects that help prevent the introduction or limit the spread of AIS in county waters.
These grants are funded through the state's AIS Prevention Aid. It is administered by Dakota County to support local AIS prevention and management initiatives.
Program goals
The Dakota County AIS Grant Program seeks to:
- Support projects that prevent the spread of AIS at water accesses and across waterbodies.
- Encourage early detection and rapid response to new infestations.
- Promote education and outreach that increases community awareness and AIS prevention action.
- Advance cost-effective management and monitoring of AIS populations.
- Strengthen partnerships between county agencies, lake groups and community stakeholders.
Eligible applicants
- Local government units (cities, townships, watershed districts)
- Lake associations
- Schools and community educational groups
- Nonprofit organizations working in AIS prevention or water resource protection
Projects funded through this program must be located within Dakota County. They must align with state AIS prevention laws and county AIS Plan strategic priorities.
Types of projects funded
Grant awards support a wide range of AIS prevention and control activities, including but not limited to:
Prevention & behavior change
- Watercraft inspection and decontamination stations
- Public awareness campaigns and outreach materials
- Signage and communication at public access sites
Early detection & monitoring
- Species surveys and monitoring of high-risk waters
- Training volunteers for AIS detection and reporting
Management & control
- Eurasian watermilfoil harvesting
- Rapid response actions to new invasive detections
Education & engagement
- Local workshops, events, and school programs
- Partnership initiatives with community groups
How to apply
- Grant application
Download the AIS Grant Application.
- Application deadline
Applications must be submitted by the deadline listed in the application packet. - Submission and review
Submit completed applications to Dakota County Water Resources. Proposals are reviewed and evaluated based on alignment with AIS priorities, feasibility, community impact and available funding.
Example funded projects
The following are some recent projects that received grant funding:
- Watercraft Inspection Program
- Lake Marion Zebra Mussel Detection and Response — Early surveillance and monitoring program.
- List of Funded Projects
These highlight the range of approaches the AIS program supports — from prevention to management and rapid response.
Other AIS grant opportunities
The Minnesota DNR's Invasive Species Unit offers invasive aquatic plant management grants.