BRAINERD — Paula West, coordinator of the Mississippi Headwaters Habitat Corridor Program, recently presented the program's annual update to the Mississippi Headwaters Board, noting that its conservation initiative is now in its 10th year and has invested approximately $35 million in habitat protection through Outdoor Heritage and Clean Water Fund appropriations. To date, the program has completed 65 conservation easements protecting 56 miles of shoreline and 13 fee-title acquisitions that have expanded state forests, county forests, Wildlife Management Areas and Aquatic Management Areas. West reported that an additional $2.7 million in funding will be received this year, with a $5 million request submitted for the next funding cycle. The analysis concluded that protecting approximately 75% of a watershed provides substantial wildlife habitat benefits and produced a priority map identifying areas of highest conservation value throughout the Mississippi Headwaters region. Mississippi Headwaters Board members expressed appreciation for the program's continued efforts to advance the Board's conservation mission and supported its focus on voluntarily protecting the highest-priority habitat areas by targeting the "best of the best" conservation opportunities.