Aquatic invasive species prevention grants

We provide grants for projects that prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Watercraft inspection grants

This funding is available to help local units of government, nonprofit organizations, or other public entities and institutions supplement existing watercraft inspection programs or establish new programs.

Projects must be located in Hennepin County.

Watercraft inspection program grants flyer (PDF, 1MB)

Available funds

Up to $150,000 of grant funding.

Eligible applicants

• Local government agencies, such as cities, watershed organizations, and park districts
• Nonprofit organizations
• Public companies and institutions

Organizations may partner to submit a joint application, if there is a clear need for partnership (such as inspections at different accesses on the same lake or inspections completed by a single organization or set of inspectors across lakes).

Eligible project activities

• Proposing a new watercraft inspection program
• Supplementing or expanding an existing watercraft inspection program

Proposed activities must be consistent with the most recent Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Watercraft Inspection Manual (PDF, 7MB) and any inspectors funded through these grants must meet training requirements set by Minnesota DNR.

Application deadline

Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24.

AIS prevention grants

This funding is available to help local units of government and organizations implement projects that prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Proposal activities must be located in Hennepin County.

AIS prevention grants flyer (PDF, 1MB)

AIS Prevention Aid guidelines (PDF, 1MB) 

Available funds

Up to $101,000 of grant funding.

Eligible applicants

• Local government agencies, such as cities, watershed organizations and park districts
• Nonprofit organizations
• Public entities and institutions
• Private, for-profit companies

Organizations may partner to submit a joint application if there is a clear need for partnership.

Eligible project activities

• Early detection
• Education
• Access redesign with AIS prevention emphasis
• Research and innovation
• Decontamination infrastructure
• Pathway analysis
• Management
• Other ideas that prevent the introduction or limit the spread of AIS.

Application deadline

Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3.

Meetings

Virtual information meeting

Tuesday, February 10 at 3 p.m.

Attend a virtual information meeting to hear about project ideas and understand the application process. RSVP by emailing tony.brough@hennepin.us.

Application

How to apply

Register in the Supplier Portal

You need to be registered to submit an application. There has been an upgrade to the Supplier Portal, so you may need to register or re-register.

Find video tutorials as well as detailed instructions on how to register and submit an application on the Supplier Portal information page.

Access the RFP and apply

• Visit the Supplier Portal
• Under Contracting opportunities, view the application materials by selecting the grant you wish to apply for (AIS prevention or watercraft inspection).
• Submit materials through the supplier portal before 3 p.m. on the application due date.

Contact us for help with your project

Staff is available to answer questions, offer resources, and provide feedback on project ideas. For more information, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612-348-4378.

Recently awarded grants

In 2026, the county released two requests for proposals (RFP) for projects that prevent the introduction or limit the spread of AIS. They were promoted through lake associations, cities, watersheds, and natural resource partners, email lists, and the Environment and Energy Department’s social media channels and newsletters.

Submitted requests were reviewed and rated by a six-member panel consisting of county staff and external partners with AIS expertise, including representatives from the Pioneer-Sarah Creek Watershed Management Commission, University of Minnesota Invasive Species Research Center, Carver County, and Minnesota Lakes and Rivers.

The county approved 11 proposals for funding totaling $225,962 in grants.

Watercraft inspection grants

These grants help local units of government, nonprofit organizations, or other public entities and institutions supplement existing watercraft inspection programs or establish new programs. A total of $77,800 was awarded for watercraft inspection grants in 2026.

Christmas Lake Homeowner’s Association

$15,000, for AIS inspection and decontamination programing at the Christmas Lake public access, including inspections of incoming and outgoing watercraft with on-site decontamination.

Fish Lake Area Residents Association

$2,800, for watercraft inspections in May and September at the Fish Lake public access.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

$30,000, to support its watercraft inspection and education activities at Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, and Lake Nokomis.

Three Rivers Park District

$30,000, to support its watercraft inspection and education activities on Medicine Lake, Fish Lake, Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, Lake Independence, and Bryant Lake.

AIS prevention grants

These grants help local units of government and organizations implement projects that prevent the spread of AIS. A total of $148,162 was awarded for AIS prevention grants in 2026.

Bolton & Menk, Inc. (two projects)

$24,999, to monitor all 59 Hennepin County public boat accesses for new AIS infestations. The company will also work directly with lake associations and community members on recognizing, reporting, and helping prevent the introduction of AIS in their local waters.

$21,737, for research on the effectiveness of manually removing floating vegetation from public boat accesses as a strategy to reduce the unintentional transport of AIS on boats and trailers.

City of Eden Prairie

$20,350, to replace an aging CD3 station at the Lake Riley Public Access. CD3 stations provide self-service tools to assist boaters in removing AIS from their boats and trailers before leaving a public water access.

Lake Minnetonka Association (two projects)

$7,850, for surveys around 16 public and private accesses on Lake Minnetonka, focusing on any early detection of starry stonewort.

$24,990 to conduct an AIS suitability survey in three bays of Lake Minnetonka. Findings from this study will be used to guide future AIS and water-quality early detection and management efforts.

WaterGuards LLC

$23,600, for boater education at boat launches. WaterGuards ambassadors will be stationed at high-use accesses that are not otherwise covered by ambassadors and inspectors.

Waterfront Restoration, LLC

$24,636, for boater education at boat launches. Waterfront Restoration Ambassadors will be stationed at Surfside, Grays Bay, Carsons, and Halstead Bay accesses on Lake Minnetonka along with accesses on Medicine and Long Lake in 2026.