The first step in the application process is to request a site visit*
* If you've already had a first (initial) site visit, you do not need to request another unless you are exploring a different type of project.
Funding and technical advice for projects that protect and improve water resources
The Watershed Stewardship Grant program offers financial support and resources for clean water projects to residents and organizations in the watershed district. Project examples include raingardens, native plant buffers, wetland restorations, rainwater reuse, erosion control, and tree trenches.
Read the Grant Program Policies.
Who May Apply
Applicants must be the property owner or authorized representative of the property owner(s).
Eligible applicant categories include:
-
Individual homeowners
-
Non-profits (including home, townhome and lake associations)
-
Schools
-
Businesses
-
Local government
Grant Awards
The grant review committee evaluated applications for their level of benefit to water resources. The cost-share award for eligible projects ranges from 25% to 75%.
Maximum Awards
-
Homeowners: Up to 75% of the project cost ($5,000 maximum)
-
Non-profits: Up to 75% of the project cost ($20,000 maximum)
-
Gov/school/business: Up to 50% of the project cost ($50,000 maximum)
How it works
Before submitting an application, you must first request a site visit. These are scheduled on weekdays during business hours and subject to staff availability. The site visit allows evaluation of your site and discussion about your project idea.
After the site visit , you may submit a grant application. After initial screening by the grant coordinator, the application is reviewed by the grant review committee, which meets about once a month to evaluate and make decisions on applications. Decisions may include a request for more information, adjustments to project design, denial of a grant award, or offer of a grant award.
Typical grant award offers range from 25% to 75% of project cost. Projects with a greater water quality benefit score higher than those with a smaller water quality benefit. If grant is offered, the applicant must review and sign the grant agreement. Once approved by the District Administrator (in some cases the Board of Managers must also aprove), the project may begin.
The grantee pays for all project costs up front. Once the project is complete or near complete, the grantee will need to schedule a project inspection. The grantee must also submit a project report including receipts and photos. After inspection and report submisstion, the grant coordinator will submit paperwork for the grant reimbursement. The actual grant payment (in the form of a check) will mailed to the grantee following the next available Board of Managers meeting.
Overview of Process
The image below provides an overview of the grant process. Open a PDF version of the image. The task timeline represent the general grant process including what actions are to be taken by the applicant/grantee (that's you!) and District staff.
The three parts to the process are:
- Part 1: Application
- Part 2: Build your project
- Part 3: Reimbursement

The Process in Detail
Check your email spam folder!
We will primarily communicate with you through email. If you've never emailed us, we may end up in your spam folder. Please check your spam folder for messages or add lforbes@rpbcwd.org to your email contact list.
Documents
- Grant Program Policies
- Process Timeline
- Requirements for specific project types
- Fillable grant project estimator (open in Excel or Google Sheets)
Step 2. Submit a grant application
Step 3. Submit a project report for your completed project
Project annual reporting
(long-term after installation)
Deadlines
Watershed Stewardship Grant applications will be accepted until October 31, 2022.
Did you know?
Your city, county, lake owners association, or other local organization may also offer grant funds to help protect water quality.
City of Eden Prairie Landscaping Rebate
Partners
The District appreciates its partnership with Carver Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in their assistance with site visits and project inspections for this grant program.

Tools & Resources
Property Maps (Useful for project planning!)
Search for your address to find a property map and Property Identification (PID) number.
- Hennepin County online property map with natural resources info (click "Map layers" and select "Hybrid" to add an aerial basemap; add topographic/contour lines by selecting "2 Foot Elevation Contours" )
- Hennepin County online property map (basic property map that does not include contour lines)
- Carver County online property map (click "Basemap" to see aerial basemap options; click "Theme" to turn on contours lines and other features)
Templates
- Estimate project costs with this fillable Grant Project Estimator (spreadsheet from us that you can open in Microsoft Excel or open in Google Sheets through a free Google/Gmail account)
- Download and print this graph paper with 10 squares per inch
- Use this free Virtual Online Graph Paper tool from print-graph-paper.com
Native Plants
- The Benefits fo Native Plants (pdf from wildonesprairieedge.org)
- How to Install and Maintain a Native Plant Habitat (pdf from wildonesprairieedge.org)
- Native Plant Finder (The National Wildlife Federation website) - explore native plants by zipcode
- List of native plant suppliers, landscapers, and restoration consultants (MnDNR website)
- List of native plant nurseries and landscaping consultants (Wild Ones website)
- Minnesota Wildflowers online field guide to the flora of Minnesota
Shorelines
- Restore Your Shore: Native Plant Encyclopedia (MnDNR website)
- City of Eden Prairie Shoreland Handbook (City of Eden Prairie website) - includes info about shoreland regulations
Rain Gardens
- Raingarden Plant List from RPBCWD (pdf) - information about proper plant placement and list of plants suitable for raingardens
Bee, Meadow, and Natural Lawns
- Bee lawn information can be found on the University of Minnesota Bee Lab website
- Environmentally friendly lawn care tips from the City of Bloomington
Insect Conservation
- Eight Simple Actions that Individuals Can Take to Save Insects from Global Declines (article from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS)
Soil Health
- Principles of Soil Health (University of Minnesota Office for Soil Health - MOSH website)
- Five Soil Health Principles (Menoken Farm & Burleigh County Conservation District website)
- Soil Health & Arthopods: From Complex System to Worthwhile Investigation (article from the NIH National Library of Medicine)