Toolbox Home
Available funding for habitat projects plays a key role in the support of pollinator populations. The table below summarizes state and federal water quality and habitat focused conservation programs that can be used to restore pollinator habitat as primary or secondary project goals. Also included is a table summarizing the partners who are working to restore and/or protect pollinator habitat in Minnesota and the role of the agency or organization.
Most of the state programs listed in the table are focused on solving water quality issues or providing high quality habitat and are competitive grant programs. The federal sources listed generally have primary goals of restoring habitat and environmental quality as part of agricultural production.
Local conservation districts and watershed districts are generally the most knowledgeable about what state and federal programs may be the best fit for an individual project; and if there are other “local” sources of funding that could be used for smaller projects that may not be eligible for state or federal funding.
This table is designed to aid the selection of conservation programs that can be used to restore pollinator habitat. The table summarizes state and federal programs, and sources of additional match. Landowners should work with local NRCS, SWCD, Watershed District or DNR staff as needed for additional guidance.
| Program Category | Program | Program Goals | How to Incorporate Pollinator Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Program | (Urban or Agricultural Land) | To protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. | These competitive grants focus on water quality issues. However, plantings done as part of projects such as rain gardens or stormwater basins encourage secondary benefits such as pollinator habitat. Plans for restoring pollinator habitats should be included in the competitive grant application. There is no minimum acreage size for projects. |
| State Program | (Urban or Agricultural Land) | To provide grants for installing conservation practices that protect and improve water quality by controlling soil erosion and reducing sedimentation. | This program involves partnerships with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Diverse plantings are encourages and should be included in project plans when applicable for the project type to provide pollinator habitat. There is no minimum acreage size for projects. |
| State Program | Reinvest in Minnesota RIM (BWSR) (Agricultural Land) | To restore marginal and environmentally sensitive agricultural land, protect soil and water quality, and restore fish and wildlife habitat. | A competitive process is used to select lands for the establishment of permanent conservation easements. The land remains in private ownership and the landowner retains responsibility for maintenance. Diverse mixes are promoted for plantings, and separate floral rich pollinator plantings of a few acres in size can be included. Funding may also be available to enhance diversity in existing plantings. There is a three acre minimum size for projects. |
| State Program | (Residential Land) | A program focused on planting residential lawns with native vegetation and pollinator friendly forbs and legumes to protect a diversity of pollinators. | This project was funded by the legislature in 2019. Grant funds for individual landowners and community spaces are available for projects to be installed. Extensive guidance materials have been developed. Check web link for further information and updates. |
| State Program | Habitat Enhancement Landscape Program (Conservation Lands) | This new program is focused on restoring and enhancing diverse native habitat on conservation lands and natural areas strategically located across Minnesota to address declining pollinators and other beneficial insects. | This program fills a need for a state grant program focused on establishing targeted, high diversity pollinator and beneficial habitat on conservation lands and natural areas. The program is focused on establishing high diversity pollinator plots and/or enhancing the habitat value of riparian areas, prairies, savannas, wetlands or forests. The program is also part of efforts to update state seed mixes to maximize diversity levels, refine restoration methods and identifying lands that are a high priority for restoration. |
| State Program | Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program CPL (MDNR) (Agricultural Land) | To enhance, restore, or protect the forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. | These Competitive grants focused on wildlife habitat are provided to local, regional, state, and national nonprofit organizations, including government entities. Diverse plantings are promoted for projects and detailed information about plans for restoring pollinator habitat should be included in grant applications. There is no minimum acreage size for projects. |
| State Program | (Agricultural Land) | To protect roadways and provide multiple environmental and agricultural benefits. | Funding is available to install living snow fences and guidance is provided about how to best benefit pollinators with the plantings. |
| Federal Program | Conservation Reserve Program CRP and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program CREP (FSA) (Agricultural Land) | To retire and convert highly erodible cropland and other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover. | Funding is available to provide 50% cost-share for pollinator plantings using practice standard CP42 that require 3 species from each bloom period (9 minimum) and a minimum 75% forbs in plantings. 10-15 year contracts are used for CRP. There is no minimum acreage size for projects. There is also a new mid-contract management option to enhance honey bee habitat through establishment of honey bee beneficial cover. |
| Federal Program | Conservation Stewardship Program CSP (NRCS) (Agricultural Land) | To encourage agricultural producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner. | Pollinator plantings are eligible through this program. The plantings require a minimum of 15 species and a minimum of 50% forbs, as well as species selected from each flowering group of spring, summer, and fall are required. There is no minimum acreage size for projects. |
| Federal Program | Agricultural Conservation Easement Program ACEP (NRCS) (Agricultural Land) | To provide support for grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and restoration and protection of grasslands under threat of conversion to other uses | Agricultural Lands Easements (ALE) – Participants may conduct prescribed burning, and construct fences to improve diversity and grassland quality. Enrollment options include 30 year or permanent easements. A grazing management plan is required for participants that can address management for pollinator species. There is no minimum acreage size for projects. |
| Federal Program | Agricultural Conservation Easement Program ACEP (NRCS) (Agricultural Land) | Provides assistance to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands and adjacent uplands through wetland reserve easements and plans. | Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) – Enrollment options include 30 year or permanent easements. A restoration plan is required for participants that can provide specific guidance on seed mixes and management to benefit pollinator species. There is no minimum size for projects. |
| Federal Program | Environmental Quality Incentives Program EQIP (NRCS) (Agricultural Land) | To promote compatibility between agricultural production and environmental quality through technical and financial assistance. | Funding is available for pollinator habitat with a focus on supporting benefitting pollinators, honey bees and Monarchs. Through an agreement landowners agree to maintain the practice (1-10 years). There is a minimum of 75% forbs for seed mixes, as well as species selected from each flowering group for spring, summer, and fall are required for pollinator plantings. There is no minimum acreage size for projects. The program also provides funding for the development of a Pollinator “Conservation Activity Plan” (CAP) to maximize pollinator habitat. |
| Federal Program | USFWS Financial Assistance | USFW offer a variety of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and our shared natural heritage. And through our work to conserve natural resources, we provide communities with healthier environments, clean water, flood control and a strong economy. | The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues Grants & Other Financial Assistance through grants and cooperative agreement awards to a variety of groups and organizations. Check their website USFWS Financial Assistance for current grant opportunities |
Match Sources for Programs
- Landowner Match
- Local Foundations
- Garden Clubs
- Soil & Water Conservation Districts
- Counties
- Private Companies
- Local Sportsman’s Clubs
- Environmental Non-Profits
- Watershed Districts
- Cities
- Lake Associations
- Neighborhood Associations
- Master Gardeners
- Schools
- School Clubs
| Organization | Description |
|---|---|
| Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund | The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund identifies opportunities to establish critical pollinator habitat to help honey bee and monarch butterfly populations thrive. http://beeandbutterflyfund.org/ |
| Bee Informed Partnership | The Bee Informed Partnership is dedicated to working with beekeepers to better understand which management practices work best. https://beeinformed.org/ |
| Bee Kind MN | To provide homes for the rapidly declining native bee populations in a sustainable way and to share our knowledge with the world. https://www.beekindmn.org/ |
| Environmental Quality Board | To coordinate state agency pollinator restoration and protection efforts. https://www.eqb.state.mn.us/programs/pollinators |
| Friends of the Mississippi River | Engages people to protect, restore, and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region. https://fmr.org/ |
| Green River Greening | Inspires, engages, and leads local communities in conserving and caring for the land and water that enriches our lives. https://www.greatrivergreening.org |
| Humming for Bees | A grassroots, 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to contributing to a sustainable future for bees and other pollinators. http://www.hummingforbees.org |
| MN Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MAWSCD) | A nonprofit organization which exists to provide leadership and a common voice for Minnesota’s soil and water conservation districts and to maintain a positive, results-oriented relationship with rule making agencies, partners, and legislators. https://www.maswcd.org/ |
| Minnesota Watersheds | Provides educational opportunities, information, and training for watershed district managers and staff through yearly tours, meetings, and regular communication. http://www.mnwatershed.org/ |
| MN Department of Administration | Incorporating pollinator habitat onto the Capitol Grounds and other state properties. https://mn.gov/admin/ |
| MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) | Protect pollinator habitat in agricultural lands, conduct education to reduce harmful impacts on pollinators, and improve and create new pollinator habitat. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/pollinators |
| MN Department of Education (MDE) | Incorporate pollinator habitat lessons into the classroom. http://education.state.mn.us/mde/ |
| MN Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) | Restore pollinator habitat on DNR lands, create pollinator Best Management Practices, and study native pollinators. http://dnr.state.mn.us/pollinators |
| Metro Blooms/Blue Thumb | To promote and celebrate gardening, to beautify our communities and help heal and protect our environment. https://metroblooms.org/ |
| Minnesota Bee Keepers Association | To educate our members and the public about bees, beekeeping, and bee products. https://www.mnbeekeepers.com/ |
| Minnesota Cities and Counties | Restore and protect pollinator habitat as part of natural resource management and landscape plantings. |
| Minnesota Zoo | The Minnesota Zoo is committed to saving Minnesota’s endangered prairie butterflies, educating the public about pollinators and what they can do to help, and practicing pollinator-friendly landscaping. http://www.mnzoo.org/plantforpollinators |
| MN Department of Corrections | Restore pollinator habitat on Dept. of Correction’s lands with garden program. |
| MN Department of Transportation (MNDOT) | MNDOT manages approximately 175,000 acres of green space in Minnesota and conducts planting of native seed mixes. http://www.dot.state.mn.us/pollinators/ |
| MN Honey Producers Association | A nonprofit organization made up of commercial and hobby beekeepers seeking to promote use of honey and to provide a better understanding of the role of honeybees. http://www.minnesotahoneyproducers.org/ |
| Monarch Joint Venture | Brings together partners from across the United States in a unified effort to conserve the monarch migration by implementing science-based habitat conservation and restoration measures. https://monarchjointventure.org/ |
| National Park Service | Preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pollinators |
| Pesticide Action Network North America | Work to create a just, thriving food system. http://www.panna.org/ |
| Pheasants Forever | Nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. https://www.pheasantsforever.org |
| Pollinator Friendly Alliance | Protects and restores pollinators to improve the environment and sustain our food supply. https://www.pollinatorfriendly.org/ |
| Pollinate Minnesota | Working toward a better Minnesota for pollinators and people by teaching immersive education classes, establish education hives, and advocate for pollinator-friendly policies. http://www.pollinatemn.org |
| Pollinator Partnership | Nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. http://pollinator.org/ |
| UMN Bee Lab | Conducts research to promote the health of bee pollinators. https://beelab.umn.edu/ |
| UMN Bee Atlas Citizen Science | A citizen science program designed to use volunteer participants to create a state-wide list of native bees found in Minnesota. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/environment/citizen-science/bee-atlas/bee-blocks/About |
| UMN Bee Squad | Helps beekeepers and the community in the Twin Cities area foster healthy bee populations and pollinator landscapes through education and hands-on mentorship. https://www.beelab.umn.edu/bee-squad |
| UMN Bell Museum of Natural History | Ignite curiosity and wonder, explore our connections to nature and the universe, and create a better future for our evolving world. https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/ |
| UMN Landscape Arboretum Bee & Pollinator Discovery Center | To welcome, inform, and inspire all through outstanding displays, protected natural areas, research, and education. http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/ |
| USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) | Provides America’s farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/plantsanimals/pollinate/ |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) | Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. https://www.fws.gov/pollinators/ |
| Wild Ones | A nonprofit organization with local chapters that teaches about the many benefits of growing native wildflowers in people’s yards. http://www.wildones.org |
| Xerces Society | An international nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. https://xerces.org/ |