This program is a collaboration between Blue Thumb, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and Minnesota residents to establish residential pollinator habitat to support at-risk pollinator species. A key focus: protecting the newly-named state bee, the Rusty Patched Bumblebee.
The program aims to protect the federally endangered state bee, the Rusty Patched Bumblebee, and other at-risk pollinators. Even relatively small plantings of native flowers can help pollinators by building and connecting important habitat corridors.
All Minnesota residents are eligible to apply for a $350 cost-share in order to establish pollinator habitat in their yards. Applications will be chosen through a randomized drawing, though priority will be given to projects within higher priority areas, and to equitable geographic distribution.
