Insect pollinators, such as bumble bees and butterflies, are an important part of food production for humans and wildlife. Unfortunately, pollinator populations in the U.S. have been falling for decades. Vegetation restoration and pollinator management are intricately related.  

As Great River Greening looks to expand pollinator habitat restoration in Minnesota, a limiting factor is the shortage of seed. This is due, in part, to a rising demand for local seed types, as well as commercial seed production capacity. This shortage severely limits the pollinator habitat restoration work Great River Greening and other restoration entities can do.  

Thanks to a grant from the Butler Family Foundation, Great River Greening has been hard at work on the Pollinator Seed Initiative. Since 2017, Great River Greening’s Becca Tucker has led a partnership including Dodge Nature Center, Dakota County, City of Woodbury, Xcel Energy and Washington County to address a critical gap in pollinator seed supply. Together, they have planted native pollinator seed on 110 acres of land in the Twin Cities metro area.  

This project helps with local sourcing of genetically appropriate seed, ready to harvest when commercial seed inventory fails to meet demand. Recent studies show that wild selected seeds, such as the ones produced by this project, can be some of the most successful in area restorations. 

Only two plantings remain for Butler Pollinator Seed Initiative, and our partners will harvest more this fall. Fun fact: Lake Elmo Park Preserve in Washington County was the first site planted and harvested as part of the project. Volunteers and partner staff will work together to hand collect and clean the seed when the time comes.  

Photos of 2020 Woodbury Thrives Pollinator Walk from Becca Tucker.