Minnesota's Pollinator Action Framework

Allow residential/commercial developers to develop on land only on condition that their proposed development includes a pollinator garden.

Work fervently with traditional mono cultural agribusiness and land use companies to change practices to regenerative farming.

Stop Pesticide Use. Stop Herbicide Use. Stop Mowing. Regulate strongly developments. Restrict Tree removal. Replant with natives. Stop Mowing all roadsides. Increase Buffer zones. Highlight the good chaos of nature. Reduce and discourage Man’s futile desire to control.

Implement the U of MN Bee Lab Pollinator Toolkit into school science curriculum

This is a great resource that should be used all across the State of MN in school and community settings.

Control Invasive Plants that are out-competing the existing vegetation. See photo of Wild Parsnips, now common along many roads in SE MN

Invasive plants are disrupting the ecosystem in a major way. When the ditches and other lands are not maintained, the seeds get spread to the edges of fields, waterways, pastures, nature areas, etc. MnDOT, counties, cities, towns and landowners are NOT controlling these invasive plants! These plants should be mowed before they produce seeds, or other effective measures! I have been carefully managing them in my area, because the road authorities do not. When not managed as the photo shows, they can choke out the existing vegetation that is often in rural areas, pollinator and wildlife friendly.

Be aware of using insecticides around flowers.

Refrain from using foggers and spray-on insecticides which may land on flowers. If DEET is used, perhaps use a lotion form of DEET instead of a spray. Landscaping with flowers at your door may be a detriment to pollinators if insecticides are sprayed in the vicinity.

Tax incentives for sustainable land stewardship; set minimum 50 % native plant coverage; stop mowing roadsides

Land stewardship incentives should be extended to include stormwater mitigation measures on private land as well.

Amend the Minnesota endangered species law by repealing the exemption for "endangered" plants with public rights-of-way.

Roadside revegetation

Invest in converting roadsides of all sizes, from interstates to small dirt roads, to appropriate native plant cover. Roadsides right now are unfortunately a huge reservoir of invasive and noxious plant species. Replacing them with a well maintained series of native plants would help pollinators and remove a good chunk of invasive plants.

Carlton county Soil &Water have excellent support and grants for pollinator gardens

Township pollinator habitat coordinators

Create positions in townships to educate their community, especially private landowners, about the installation and maintenance of pollinator habitat. Townships with high poverty rates could be prioritized as they have limited financial resources for spending on vegetation and may also have limited job opportunities.

Education! Neighbors around us use sprays without a second thought.Please provide easy to understand handouts listing approved/banned tools.

Better education for urban residents about pest control "needs"

I live in a new subdivision where the pest control companies do a lot of business getting superficial new homeowners all concerned about keeping things neat and pristine. They have people worried about the spiders around their foundations and siding, as if those won't just eat a lot of true pests. Perhaps the MMCD or some related organization could do some work in educating the public about what pests to really worry about and how to deal with them. Unfortunately there's a lot of money in this field and it could be a tough sell.

Research reduced herbicide application techniques for invasive plant control

Examples - not all knotweed leaves need to be treated - could just a few of the lower leaves be treated rather than all of the leaves? For basal bark treatments, must the entire lower part of woody invasive stems be treated or could less area be treated? There are many more examples with many species.

Eliminate pesticides and switch to compost tea - weeds indicate soil health. Improve the soil by reducing compression (mowing, heavy equip)

Weeds grow best in anaerobic, compressed soil - Improve soil health by leaving the leaves, reducing/eliminating mowing, ensuring diverse plantings, and using compost tea instead of pesticides.

Ban residential pesticide "fogging" by companies or individuals. Drift is inevitable and dangerous to pollinators, pets, and human health.

Homeowner grants/greater visibility

Find/expand grant opportunities for homeowners to create pollinator gardens. Offer extra incentive if these gardens are in the front yard and include signage identifying as pollinator habitat.

State Fair Campaign

Add exhibition and marketing campaign at the Minnesota State Fair on the importance of native plants and the impact of a lush green lawn with Asian perennial plants and non native trees

Every public school should have a pollinator habitat that is maintained by the students.

Public schools should have a pollinator habitat that is maintained by a certain grades science class as part of the curriculum. They can identify plants, weed, collect seeds, document pollinators and other wildlife. Learn the benefits all parts played in the balance of an ecosystem. If something seems out of balance, brainstorm what is missing in the ecosystem and how to correct the imbalance naturally(too many aphids, need to attract predators, etc).

Present educational events at local libraries/rec centers

Have a special display of materials (books, etc.) at libraries and rec centers

Pollinator Friendly Ordinances

Encourage cities to create ordinances that allow for creativity in public and private spaces to protect pollinators, and to cut down on pesticides and mowing. Provide financial resources to cities who want to plant more pollinator and habitat friendly areas of their land.