Outdoor heritage fund; leveraging of certain land for federal grant funds provided, and money appropriated.

HF 1250 appropriates $168.5 million from Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage Fund for fiscal year 2026 (with $775,000 for 2027) to fund specific conservation projects. It directs funding toward acquiring land and restoring habitat for prairies, wetlands, and wildlife management areas across Minnesota, including projects in Martin County, the southern Red River Valley, and riparian buffer programs. Key provisions include $3.69 million for prairie chicken habitat partnerships, $4.97 million for wildlife management area acquisitions, and $4.09 million to expand habitat protection on private lands through conservation easements. These funds directly support state agencies and conservation partners working to protect native prairie ecosystems and wildlife habitats. The bill specifies that funds must be used for land acquisition, restoration, and habitat enhancement under existing conservation programs.