I received a press release this morning from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources about the awards more than $1 million for Lawns to Legumes Pollinator Pathways Grants.
Good news!
And then I learned that it's Pollinator Day at the Minnesota State Fair. From a source at the Fair:
As part of the occasion, Rep. Rick Hansen, DNR Pollinator Coordinator Christina Locke and partner organizations gathered at the pollinator display at the Eco Experience prior to a panel presentation.
Rep. Hansen authored legislation approved in 2024 to make Lawns to Legumes a permanent program. Managed by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the program engages homeowners in increasing pollinator habitat and habitat corridors that provide food sources and nesting space for pollinators, emphasizing protection of at-risk species. That includes the federally-endangered rusty patched bumble bee, which is also Minnesota’s state bee.
Some posts on X about the Lawns to Legumes:
2/3 @reprickhansen authored legislation approved in 2024 to make Lawns to Legumes a permanent program. Managed by @MNBWSR, the program helps homeowners create habitat that provides food sources & nesting space for #pollinators. https://t.co/GJlNIEVReD
— Minnesota DNR (@mndnr) August 29, 2024
Here's the BWSR press release:
BWSR awards more than $1 million for Lawns to Legumes Pollinator Pathways Grants
10 organizations will receive funding to support community-wide pollinator habitat initiatives
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved $1.1 million for Pollinator Pathways grants for 10 organizations.
Pollinator Pathways grants are part of BWSR’s Lawns to Legumes program, which helps Minnesota residents establish pollinator habitat in residential yards and community spaces. The goal of the Pollinator Pathways grant program is to establish and strengthen collaborations in residential and educational spaces to create connections to statewide and local habitat corridors, especially in underserved communities.
Organizations overseeing a Pollinator Pathways grant work with local residents and organizations to install new pollinator habitat in residential and community spaces. Tribal governments, soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, counties, municipalities, non-government organizations and pre-k through grade 12 schools (public and non-profit) were eligible to apply for the most recent round of funding.
“Pollinator Pathways grants offer a unique opportunity to bring community members together to make a difference for Minnesota pollinators,” BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said. “These grants help local partnerships integrate habitat into neighborhoods and backyards while fostering collaboration and education.”
2024 Pollinator Pathways grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- Anoka Conservation District
- Midtown Greenway Coalition
- Como Community Council
- Trust for Public Land
- Hennepin County
- Lac qui Parle Soil and Water Conservation District
- Wildlife Forever
- Prairie Island Indian Community
- Washington Conservation District
- Scott Soil and Water Conservation District
Enjoy the day!
Photo: From the X platform: "DNR Commissioner @StrommenSarah invites #MNStateFair visitors to explore our prairie pollinator gardens anytime during the Fair. Visitors can pose with our giant monarch wings, watch pollinators in action, and enjoy fun facts and activities with our pollinator experts.
Related posts
- Heintzeman: Democratic messaging is a plot to secretly fund "Lawns to Legumes" program
- Press Release: MN BWSR awards over 1000 Lawns to Legumes Individual Support grants
- Lawns to Legumes program earned great media for MN; 5 GOP senators want to rob funding
- Minnesotans, your yard can BEE the change: BWSR taking Lawns to Legumes requests
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email [email protected] as recipient.
I'm on Venmo for those who prefer to use this service: @Sally-Sorensen-6
Comments