This bill appropriates funds from the outdoor heritage fund for various natural resource projects in Minnesota for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with a total allocation of $15,000,000 designated for competitive matching grants to support local, regional, state, and national organizations. The funding will enhance, restore, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitats for fish, game, or wildlife, with specific provisions requiring a ten percent match from nonstate sources and a simplified application process for smaller grants. Notable projects include significant allocations for the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening, and Trust for Public Land, as well as initiatives like the Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Project and the Protecting Coldwater Fisheries initiative.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions for contract management, technical evaluation panels, and a grant program focused on habitat enhancement and restoration. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing lands eligible for the native prairie bank and mandates that funds appropriated for land acquisition must also be used for restoration and enhancement activities. The bill allocates $12,000,000 to the commissioner of natural resources for protecting the upper Mississippi River from invasive carp, modifying the completion timeline for a structural deterrent at Lock and Dam No. 5 to June 30, 2029. Overall, the bill aims to enhance Minnesota's natural resources through targeted investments, accountability measures, and collaborative efforts.