Do it Yourself (DIY) pollinator plantings – Map your project and receive a sign to display
http://Map Your Pollinator Project – Blue Thumb
Lawns to Legumes – Pollinator Habitat for the Rusty Patch Bumble Bee
The primary purpose of activities funded through this program is to increase the populations of rusty patched bumble bees and other at-risk pollinators through planting residential lawns with native vegetation and pollinator-friendly forbs. This program will run through 6/30/24 or until funds run out. If you are located within our Rusty Patch Bumble Bee priority area you may be eligible for partial funding for the establishment of pollinator habitat. If you are seeking funds, please do not begin any project work until you have an approved funding contract with the Kanabec SWCD. Individual landowners may be eligible for up to $1,500 (at 90% funding on eligible expenses). Community projects may be eligible for up to $5,000 (at 90% funding on eligible expenses).
Only Minnesota Native Plant Material (insecticide/neonicotinoid free plants) are allowed (few exceptions listed below). Non native plants such as Cultivar, Hybrid, Annual Plants are not eligible; however, they can be added into plantings at landowners expense. When practical, projects must have at least three blooming native plant species during, spring, summer and fall, with higher diversity strongly encouraged. Use of milkweeds is encouraged to provide monarch habitat.
Non-native species that are allowed are Trifolium repens, Dutch White Clover; Thymus serpyllum, Creeping Thyme; Creeping Red Fescue, Chewings Fescue, Hard Fescue, Sheep Fescue). Non-native cultivar tree and shrub species that can be funded are Serviceberries or Hawthorn.
Eligible expenses: Eligible expenses include site preparation, planting and management costs including but not limited to, tilling, burning, sod removal, weed barriers, seeds, containerized plants, flowering trees, flowering shrubs, seeding, inter-seeding and weed removal.
• Non-herbicide methods of site preparation and management are preferred, see Xerces Society guide to “Organic Site Preparation
Methods.”
Maintenance through grant period: It is important that plantings that are funded through this program are maintained. All landowners receiving funding will be asked to sign a BWSR provided landowner agreement that summarizes the expected lifespan of the project and provides information about project maintenance. Maintenance must focus both on maintaining the habitat value and aesthetics of projects.
Sheryl’s testimonial story of her new pollinator pocket garden:
https://bluethumb.org/creating-my-pollinator-garden/
Citizen Science
Bumble Bee Watch is a community science project that helps researchers determine the status and conservation needs of bumblebees. Record sightings, upload photos and learn more about bumble bee ecology.
Bumble Bee Watch
Identify plants and animals in your environment using the iNaturalist application.
A Community for Naturalists · iNaturalist
Pollinator Site Preparation
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Priority Area Map
Plants List for the Rusty Patched Bumblebee
Pollinator Planting Resources
NE MN Native Plants Suppliers
Central MN Native Plants Suppliers
Planting for Pollinators Habitat Guide
Pocket Planting
Pollinator Lawn
Tree & Shrub Planting
Pollinator Meadow
Learn about the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Identifying the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
For a site visit to discuss options for your pollinator habitat please contact: Kanabec SWCD, Deanna Pomije at 320-679-1391 or Deanna@KanabecSWCD.org
Information for City Residents
City of Mora Sub Watershed Assessment
