How to Get the Cost Share Grant Program
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District · Southwest Twin Cities metro, MN
What you get
Covers up to 75% of the cost of a residential native-planting, rain-garden, or shoreline-restoration project, to a maximum of $3,750 for residential projects, with a 25% applicant match (volunteer labor counts toward the match at $35/hour). Project must be within the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District (Nine Mile Creek Watershed District; last verified June 2026).
- Residential: 75% of cost, up to $3,750
Are you eligible?
- Be a Nine Mile Creek Watershed District customer
- Property located in: Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield
- Project within the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District
- Residents eligible (also associations, nonprofits, schools, businesses, cities)
- 25% applicant match (volunteer labor counts at $35/hour)
Before you start
Do not remove turf or begin work before you have written approval. This program requires pre-approval. Starting early can disqualify the project even if everything else is correct.
Own-funded watershed-district cost-share, distinct from the statewide Lawns to Legumes program.
What applying usually looks like
A general guide. Always confirm the exact steps on the official program page, since each provider runs its process a little differently.
- 1
Apply and get written approval first
Submit your application to Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and wait for written approval before you remove any turf or start work. Starting early is the most common reason a rebate is denied.
- 2
Do the conversion
Replace your lawn with the qualifying landscaping, following the eligibility requirements above.
- 3
Submit your claim
After the work is done, submit your claim on the official program page. Confirm the exact forms, receipts, and any photos they require there, since those vary by program.
The application checklist
How to apply for the Cost Share Grant Program
These are the steps this application actually takes. The Pollinator Patch app walks you through each one free, with reminders and a photo locker.
- 1
Check eligibility
Make sure you qualify with Nine Mile Creek Watershed District before you start.
- 2
Get pre-approval if required
Some programs require approval before any work begins. Check with Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and take before photos of the existing yard first.
- 3
Do the work
Complete the project, take before and after photos, and save every receipt.
- 4
Submit your application
Send Nine Mile Creek Watershed District the completed application with your photos and receipts, then watch for the confirmation.
In the app
Track this rebate free in the Pollinator Patch app
Free step-by-step guidance for the Cost Share Grant Program, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos, receipts, and notes together for the months a rebate takes.
Every program listed cites its official source, and each program page shows the date we last verified it against that source. Program details change throughout the year, so always confirm requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with the program before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.
See a problem with a program? Report it
Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.