Currently we are not accepting application for this program. 

Program Summary

The Pollinator Pathways grants promotes native plantings that establish key corridors (or pathways) for at-risk pollinators such as (but not limited to) the Monarch Butterfly and Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s State Bee. This will be achieved by establishing and educating Minnesotans about pollinator conservation and promoting overall interest in ecological landscaping. 

Monarchs on liatris

Program Goals

The goal of the Pollinator Pathways grant program is to establish and strengthen collaborations in residential and educational spaces to create connections to statewide and local habitat corridors/pathways, especially in underserved communities.

Eligible Applicants

Funding is available for counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), cities, tribal governments, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, nonprofit organizations, and public and non-profit pre-K through grade 12 schools.

Program Funding

In FY24/25 the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) offered more than $1.1 million in grant funding to promote and establish pollinator plantings though a residential and/or educational-based approach.

This funding is available through the state of Minnesota general fund.  Grants will require a 10% non-state recipient match. Grant applications must be for a minimum request of $50,000. There is no maximum funding cap on awards. 

Eligible Activities

  • Project development and public outreach
  • Establishment of pollinator habitat projects that use native plants to provide pollen and nectar sources, which bloom through the season and are less than 5 ac. in size.
  • Program and project support
  • Education
  • Supplies/Equipment
  • Administration and coordination         

  FY 2024 Pollinator Pathways Grant Recipients

  • Wildlife Forever, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School Education Prairie Trail, $95,750

  • Lac Qui Parel SWCD, City of Dawson Pollinator Pathways, $94,000

  • Midtown Greenway Coalition, Midtown Greenway Pollinator Pathway, $105,000

  • Scott SWCD, Schott County Teaching Gardens & Community Pollinator Project, $38,755

  • Hennepin County, West Metro Water Alliance (WMWA) and Hennepin County Plantings for Pollinators and Community, $94,755

  • Como Community Council, Bee Line and Beyond, $206,240

  • Anoka Conservation District, North Metro Pollinator Pathway, $91,900

  • Washington Conservation District, Pollinator Pathways Washington County, $185,000

  • Prairie Island Indian Community, Dakota Circle Native Perimeter Garden, $74,600

  • Trust for Public Land, Rochester, MN Pollinator Pathway Project, $114,600

 

 

 

Contact

Erin Loeffler
Ecological Science Conservationist