August 15, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Juhl; 612-358-5733

St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has selected more than 1,000 Minnesota residents to receive Individual Support grants through the Lawns to Legumes program.

“Minnesotans are eager to help our at-risk pollinator species,” said BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke. “Lawns to Legumes provides the financial and technical support they need to play a hands-on role in benefiting pollinators.”

Funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Lawns to Legumes offers a combination of workshops, coaching, planting guides and cost-share funding for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential yards. BWSR partners with Metro Blooms and Blue Thumb — Planting for Clean Water to administer the program.

Individual Support grants reimburse Minnesota residents for up to $350 in costs associated with planting pollinator habitat in their yards. Recipients have access to workshops, coaching opportunities and gardening resources to help ensure project success. Recipients are required to contribute a 25% match in the form of purchasing materials, hiring contractors or as in-kind time spent planting and maintaining their projects.

Sign up for program updates to be notified of future grant opportunities. For more information on Lawns to Legumes, see BWSR’s website.

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BWSR is the state soil and water conservation agency, and it administers programs that prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our lakes, rivers, and streams; enhance fish and wildlife habitat; and protect wetlands. The 20-member board consists of representatives of local and state government agencies and citizens. BWSR's mission is to improve and protect Minnesota's water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners