ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Bush Foundation board of directors approved six grants, totaling more than $1.3 million, benefiting North Dakota at its Nov. 8 meeting, including a grant of $350,000 to the Nature Conservancy to begin a new three-state chapter that will integrate North and South Dakota as well as Minnesota.

The tri-state chapter will help sustain work in the Dakotas to preserve and protect the prairie grasslands that span those states.

The other grants:

*Â The Fargo-Moorhead Opera Company received a grant of $90,250 to implement marketing and development plans.

*Â Early childhood education needs were addressed through a grant of $355,790 to the State of North Dakota, Department of Human Services to support the Child Development Successor Program for infant and toddler caregiver training.

*Â Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Stewardship Fund in LaMoure was granted $210,000 to strengthen the organization, which helps family farmers adopt sustainable agriculture processes.

*Â Mountain-Plains Youth Services Coalition in Bismarck received a grant of $160,000 for its work with at-risk youth.

*Â In Fargo, Community Homes and Resources in Service to Many was granted $195,000 for programs for at-risk refugee youth.