The Lawns to Legumes Program offers grants for projects that help the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee and other pollinators by creating environmentally-friendly, low-maintenance landscapes that reduce harmful chemicals and increase habitat.
The MN Board of Water and Soil Resources is now accepting applications for grants as part of the Lawns to Legumes Program. This program offers workshops, coaching, guides, and cost-share funding for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential landscapes. These pollinator habitats could consist of any of the following:
- Native Pocket Planting: small native plant garden including flowers preferred by the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s State Bee.
- Pollinator Lawn: A fine fescue lawn mixed with low-growing flowers to support pollinators.
- Pollinator Beneficial Trees and Shrubs: Flowering trees and shrubs with quality nectar and pollen for bees in the spring.
- Pollinator Meadow: a large area with a diversity of native plants, such as a native prairie that includes both native grasses and wildflowers.
The Lawns to Legumes program offers Individual Support Grants to Minnesota residents for projects that establish pollinator habitat in their yards. If awarded, up to $400 in grant funds are available to applicants. To apply, visit Blue Thumb's Online Application Page.
This application period ends November 30, 2023. Grant recipients will be notified in mid-December. Applicants residing in a high priority area will be given priority (Mendota Heights is located in Priority Area 1).