Northern Moose Alliance

Moose Research Project Funding

A wild North depends on more moose — and the science to understand what’s happening to them.

This research is supported through a shared commitment: public funding helps cover the Minnesota-based scope documented in the LCCMR work plan, while partner match, in-kind support, and additional agreements strengthen the broader, coordinated effort, including work connected to Grand Portage and Minong (Isle Royale National Park).

Funding At A Glance

The following dollar totals are based on the budget provided to, and approved by, the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Northern Moose Alliance partners continue to raise additional funds for the project.


 
Funds raised to date
$3,352,021

Five year work plan 2025-2030

Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund/LCCMR
$2,007,000

Public funding to the Minnesota DNR and 1854 Treaty Authority documented for the Minnesota-based scope in the LCCMR work plan (Project 2025-309).

Additional research study support
$1,345,021

Additional in kind and financial support from Minnesota DNR,1854 Treaty Authority, Grand Portage Band and University of Minnesota-Duluth to cover additional staff time, equipment, and other project costs.

Individual giving, sponsorships, and foundation fundraising

NPLSF is actively working to raise funds to fill gaps in equipment needs, build public knowledge of moose research, and create opportunities for expanded education, citizen science, and other engagement.

 

What This Funding Supports

While the LCCMR work plan documents Minnesota-based deliverables, this funding picture reflects a coordinated effort that’s designed to produce insights that can help moose across the wider region.

The Minnesota-based scope includes costs and activities such as:

  • Helicopter capture and collaring operations for juvenile moose
  • GPS collars plus data subscription/transmission fees for multi-year monitoring
  • Mortality response and investigations, including field necropsy/carcass extraction where needed
  • Laboratory testing supporting health and pregnancy determination (including fecal progesterone testing and genetic verification)
  • University research support, including student support described in the budget
  • Reporting and public accountability consistent with ENRTF/LCCMR requirements
The impact goes beyond state-boundry lines: The methods, findings, and management insights from a study like this can inform habitat work, health monitoring, and long-term recovery strategies wherever moose face similar pressures.

What Partner Support Adds

Partner support strengthens this effort in two ways:

  1. Match and in-kind contributions included in the LCCMR work plan — real staff time, equipment, and institutional support that help the Minnesota-based study succeed.
  2. Separate partner agreements that support complementary work beyond Minnesota — including work connected to Grand Portage and Minong (Isle Royale National Park).
For example, a reimbursable agreement between the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) supports coordinated research assistance for moose work connected to the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, Minong (Isle Royale National Park), and the 1854 Ceded Territory.

LCCMR Work Plan

We believe public research should be easy to verify. The LCCMR-approved work plan is the clearest source for the Minnesota scope, the budget, and the match/in-kind totals used to calculate the total project cost.


Is this one integrated project?
It’s best described as one coordinated research partnership with multiple funding sources: the LCCMR work plan documents the Minnesota-based scope, budget, and reporting structure, while partner agreements may fund additional work that aligns with the same overall research goals beyond the LCCMR Minnesota scope.

Explore the Research

Looking for the full context? These pages cover background, funding, objectives, timeline, partners, and related moose resources.

Background

Why this study is needed — and what questions it’s designed to answer.

Research Updates

Read Moose Browse articles and other research updates.

Objectives

Our research goals, including what we’re measuring and how.

Timeline

Key phases and fixed milestone dates from launch through closeout.

Project Partners

Meet the co-stewardship team leading and supporting the research.

Moose Resources

News, videos, partner reports, and research explaining moose survival.

Stay Connected To Moose Research

This work depends on more than scientists in the field. It depends on informed, engaged people who care enough to stay connected.

We’d love to keep you updated as this work evolves and share ways you can help protect moose as opportunities arise. Please join our quarterly newsletter for exclusive updates, expert moose insights, and actions you can take.

Interested in contributing directly to the research? Visit our Citizen Science Portal to share trail-camera photos or videos that can help researchers assess possible winter tick-related hair loss and better understand moose health across the northeastern range.

Interested in staying connected in other ways, too? Explore resources built for the field and the community, including Moose Safety and Viewing Etiquette plus a social-media toolkit.

 
Skip to content