Pollinator Pathways

Minnesota

What We’re Doing
Creating essential habitat for threatened pollinator species.

Our Goal
Build pollinator-friendly and native ecosystems across Rochester, MN.

Your Yard Can BEE the Change

Did you know that one out of every three bites of food you eat is dependent on pollinators to reproduce? That’s right: busy as a bee isn’t just a phrase. These pollinators are hardworking insects that help boost seed production and fruit development, meaning healthier ecosystems and communities. With the help of other pollinators like butterflies, birds, and bats, some of our favorite foods exist because of these underappreciated animals: apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, melon, peaches, potatoes, vanilla, almonds, coffee and chocolate.

But right now, habitat loss, disease, parasites, and environmental contaminants have all contributed to the decline of many species of pollinators like Minnesota’s state bee, the endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee. Pollinators that can’t find the right quantity or quality of food, like nectar and pollen from blooming plants within flight range, can’t survive. Put simply, there aren’t enough pollinator friendly plantings to support these essential creatures. But with the help from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and on behalf of the City of Rochester, TPL is working to change that—and you can too!

Through the Pollinator Pathways program, we’ve received funding to build pollinator habitats across Rochester at residential homes, municipal sites, and schoolyards, like Franklin Elementary, with the goal of enhancing pollinator habitat in key corridors and raising awareness for residential pollinator protection. By swapping out manicured lawns that can carry pesticides and fertilizers for diverse and native plants, we can build pollinator habitats right in our own backyards, literally.

If you’re a resident of Rochester looking to create a pollinator oasis at your home, apply for funding today by filling out this form. The bees—and the trees, and the fruits, and the crops—will thank you!

Please reach out to Kayla Westerlund at kayla.westerlund@tpl.org if you have any questions.

Apply Today

What Applicants Receive

Applicants can receive up to $750 for reimbursement of eligible expenses associated with their project. Participants are required to match 10%. This can be in the form of in-kind time spent on coordination and installation of the project. Program participants must agree to maintain their project for a minimum of 5 years.

In addition to funding, applicants will receive technical assistance for site preparations, seed mix and planting design, spacing, and species recommendations.

Acceptable Expenses

On-site consultation from a landscape designer or contractor (up to $75)*
Landscape Designs (not to exceed $175 for both onsite and design or more than half the grant funding)*
Plant delivery fees
Site preparation (sod removal, tilling, weed control), plants, seeds, weed suppression papers, wood mulch, seed and plant installation, and maintenance of projects through grant period
Native plants (BEE certain that they are NATIVE and not cultivars). See suggestions of approved native plantings below
Mulch for Pollinator Pathways project
Types of Plantings

There are four types of planting options. Projects should incorporate three flowering plants during each bloom period (spring, summer, and fall).

Approved List of Native Pollinator Plants

Flowering Plants: Virginia Bluebells, Blazingstars, Wild White Indigo, Milkweeds, Goldenrods, Beebalms, Beardtongues, Red Columbine, Asters, Hyssop
Trees and Shrubs: Wild Currant, Serviceberry, Buttonbush, Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle, Plums and Cherries, Willows, Spiraea, American Basswood, Lead Plant, Cranberry
Grasses and Short-Growing Flowering Plants (for Bee Lawns): Clover mix, Wild strawberry, Violet, Blue Grama

Handouts and Resources

About This Project
  • Once approved, before the project begins:

    • Take and submit “before” photos
    • Participate in a site visit and pre-planting workshops
    • Submit a preliminary budget and design by email to kayla.westerlund@tpl.org

    During the project:

    • Take “during” photos
    • Track your volunteer time using the Hours Log. You will need to submit this along with project expenses and receipts using the Resident Report Form once the project is complete. If you need to be reimbursed while working on your project, please email to kayla.westerlund@tpl.org

    After the project is completed:

    • Take a photo of the completed project!
    • Submit your time, expenses, receipts, and photos using the Resident Report Form
    • Program participants are asked to maintain their project for a minimum of 5 years
Get in Touch With Our Minnesota Team
St. Paul Office

2610 University Avenue
Suite 300
St. Paul, MN, 55114
(651) 760-0179
minnesota@tpl.org

Associate Vice President, Minnesota State Director

651-999-5304
sophie.vorhoff@tpl.org