Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL)

Back to profile

Season's Greetings & Lawns to Legumes

Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Rep. Morrison

Dear Neighbors,

Season’s Greetings! I hope this finds you well, staying warm, and enjoying the holiday season.

holidaze

Lawns to Legumes is now open to accept applications!

Lawns to Legumes is a new program available to homeowners that offers a combination of workshops, coaching, planting guides and cost-share funding for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings. It also prioritizes areas of habitat for the new Minnesota state bee, the federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee. 

Pollinators play a key role in pollinating many food crops and native plants, but populations have significantly declined worldwide in recent years. Population decline can be attributed to habitat loss and lack of related nutrition for pollinators, as well as pesticide use and pathogens. In response to these alarming statistics, I authored the Lawns to Legumes legislation that passed into law, aiming to protect our at-risk pollinators.

Two types of grants are available:

  • Cost-sharing grants include up to $350 reimbursement for Residential Individual Support Grants for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential lawns. Residents can apply online at Blue Thumb’s website: https://tinyurl.com/yx6253zj.
  • Demonstration Neighborhood Grants are cost-sharing grants for $20,000-$40,000, available to local governments, tribal governments and nonprofits to establish community projects intended to enhance pollinator habitat in key corridors, raise awareness for residential pollinator protection, and showcase best practices. RFP available here: https://tinyurl.com/rhpp44g.

In addition, there is information on the Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) website for anyone interested in switching to a native, pollinator-friendly yard. You can access the site here: https://tinyurl.com/vqvrv9r.

bees

Next Monday evening, December 16, I’ll be hosting a community listening session in Chanhassen. Here are the details:

  • Monday, December 16 at 4:00-5:30 p.m. at the Chanhassen Public Library, Wilder Room, 7711 Kerber Blvd., Chanhassen MN 55137

Everyone is welcome to attend and bring questions and input!

town hall

Keep in Touch

Please keep in touch with ideas, input, and questions at 651-296-4315 or by email at rep.kelly.morrison@house.mn. You can follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/StateRepresentativeKellyMorrison/ for additional updates from the community and the Capitol.

Thank you for the honor of serving you at the Minnesota House!

Sincerely,

Kelly