Happy New Year! As we gear up for 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for everyone who has engaged with Blue Thumb over the past year. Our community is the heart of our efforts to create pollinator habitats and protect clean water.
In 2024, we connected and grew together in many ways, from our live workshops and the Blue Thumb Partnership to the Minnesota State Fair, Lawns to Legumes, and our Sustainable Landcare Training program. Let’s take a look back at what we accomplished:
Workshops
In 2024 we offered workshops on Resilient Yards, Turf Alternatives, Resilient Shorelines, and Rain Garden Maintenance. We met with you online and in-person to share knowledge on creating pollinator habitat, managing stormwater, and restoring the ecology of the outdoor spaces where we live.
60% of participants who responded to our survey reported installing a planting or clean water practice after attending a workshop. And there were over 3,500 registrations for courses in our free Resilient Yards Online Learning Series! Access the learning series on our Workshops & Online Learning page and stay tuned for next spring’s workshops by subscribing to Metro Blooms’ monthly newsletter.
Minnesota State Fair
Our native plant demonstration garden was a hit at the Great Minnesota Get-Together! In 2024, we had over 9,000 visitors to our exhibit supported by 60 wonderful volunteers, partners, collaborators, and staff. A shout-out to all our partners (MNL, Glacial Ridge Growers, Prairie Restorations, Morning Sky Greenery, Dakota Prairie Composting, Monarch Joint Venture, Rice Creek WD, Eco Experience team) who donated handouts, plants, and mulch to make our demonstration gardens possible! Another shout-out to Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wíŋ, who made our educational signage possible by sharing her knowledge and culture. And, of course, to all of you who took the time to stop by! We’ll be back this year (right outside the Eco Experience Building) from August 21 – September 1, 2025.
Blue Thumb Partnership
Blue Thumb is a collaborative network spanning the state, uniting government agencies, native plant nurseries, landscape designers, and nonprofits — all dedicated to the shared mission of safeguarding clean water and fostering habitats for pollinators and wildlife.
This year, 58 organizations participated in the partnership, and 12 of them were new partners. Blue Thumb partners offer all kinds of support for sustainable landscaping, from design and install services to native plant materials and shoreline restoration. Explore partner services and resources with our Partner Finder — we’re here to support you on your sustainable landscaping journey!
Sustainable Landcare Training
Through our Sustainable Landcare Training program (SLC), we’re growing a local workforce and creating job and education pathways in the environmental field. In 2024, we trained 55 people to care for native plants and rain gardens, and over the past two years, more than 21 SLC participants have been hired to inspect green infrastructure in Minneapolis. Just this fall, six recent SLC trainees joined our landcare crew to clean up and plant rain gardens in medians and boulevards at Minnehaha and Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis.
Over the past year, we took steps to enhance the career support component of the SLC program. We created a new career resource web page to help trainees navigate the emerging green jobs market. And, this summer, we hosted a networking event this summer where Blue Thumb Partners met with trainees. We also started a mentorship program to support trainees in next steps. This year, seven trainees were paired with mentors in the environmental field. Learn more about the Sustainable Landcare Training here, and check out more 2024 reflections in this Metro Blooms blog post.
Lawns to Legumes
Through the Lawns to Legumes state pollinator habitat program, about 3,000 individuals planned and installed small pocket gardens, planted trees, and transformed whole yards. Through our partnership with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, we connected participants with resources and volunteer coaches to help them transform their yards and support the endangered monarch butterfly and rusty patched bumble bee.
We’re humbled by the efforts participants put into making their projects a reality — each native plant in the ground helps build networks of pollinator habitat in our state, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health. If you applied for a Spring 2025 Lawns to Legumes grant, check your email inbox — awards will be announced on January 15. Applications for Fall 2025 grants will open in February — learn more on our About & Apply page.
Gardening for Good
Need ideas or guidance for building a pollinator-friendly and water-wise garden? That’s what we’re here for! Hop over to our refreshed Resources page for free downloadables, or visit our Plan a Project page for guides on different project types. It’s never too early to start planning for spring! If there’s a topic you’d like to hear about more from us next year, reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, or info@bluethumb.org.
– Megan Reich, Metro Blooms Communications and Program Manager