Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM)

The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve Program, one of the first such programs of its kind in the country, began in 1986 and is managed at the state level by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). This program protects and improves water quality, reduces soil erosion, and enhances fish and wildlife habitat by retiring private marginal cropland from agricultural production, planting permanent native vegetation, and restoring previously drained wetlands. Other benefits include flood control and groundwater recharge.

How the RIM Reserve Program Works: Landowners who enroll land into the RIM Reserve Program are paid a percentage of the assessed value of their land to voluntarily enroll it into a conservation easement. A variety of land types are eligible, including wetland restoration areas, riparian agricultural lands, marginal cropland, pastured hillsides, and sensitive groundwater areas. After land is enrolled, it is managed under a conservation plan, which generally includes items like wetland restorations (for areas with drained wetlands), native grass plantings, and tree plantings. Please click on the link below to view a map of all RIM Reserve Program easements in Minnesota: Minnesota RIM Easement Map