Grantee Guide
Step 1: Getting Started
- Confirm your participation in the program! Follow the link that was emailed to you to accept your grant.
- Before you start your project, remember to take “before” photos of your project area. You will need to take “after” images once your project is completed. Before/after photos of your project are required for reimbursement.
- Attend a grantee training webinar (you will be emailed details) or watch a webinar recording (see below).
- All grantees will have access to “The Hive!” The Hive is a new community platform for grantees to connect. You will receive an email to access The Hive. Connect with each other in your region’s “space,” share resources, get answers from coaches, and get program updates from L2L staff.
Watch our 2024 Spring Grantee Kick-off webinar. Closed captioning is available on YouTube.
Step 2: Choose Your Project
The best way to protect native bumblebees and other pollinators is to plant a diversity of native floral species. We recommend selecting a project type that meets your needs for your yard while supporting as many pollinator species as possible. But don’t bite off more than you can chew! It’s better to have a smaller, successful project than a bigger project that you’re unable to finish or maintain.
Choose one (or a combination) of the following for your Lawns to Legumes project:
Pocket Plantings are small native gardens that pack a punch in terms of pollinator impact without taking up much space. They are a great way to get started if you are new to gardening, or want to expand your existing garden. Choose species that bloom in all three growing seasons (spring, summer, and fall) for the biggest impact. Variations of a pocket planting include rain gardens and shoreline plantings.
Flowering native trees or shrubs can provide as much pollinator forage as an entire garden. Early bloomers like willow provide high quality pollen for emerging bumble bees when few other resources are available.
Pollinator Lawns with low-growing fescues and flowering species offer less support for pollinators compared to a small garden or tree planting. However, they offer a realistic option if you frequently use your yard for activities like recreation and are still a better choice for pollinators than a typical turfgrass lawn. If incorporating a pollinator lawn in your yard, we strongly encourage prioritizing native species over non-natives when possible. See exceptions in the Eligible Expenses Guide.
Pollinator Meadows, expansive areas with a diversity of native plant species, are the most beneficial choice for supporting as many pollinators as possible. If you have the time and space to create a pollinator meadow, go for it! The easiest way to achieve this might be to plant pocket gardens side by side, eventually creating a meadow that takes up your full yard.
Step 3: Plan and Install Your Project
- Gather your resources. Check out the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Planting for Pollinators Design Guide, our Steps to Plant for Pollinators page, and our Resources page for detailed guidance on your specific project.
- Prepare your planting site. Use our Quick Guide to Site Preparation to determine which site prep method is best for your project.
- When buying plants, review the Eligible Expenses Guide, check out our Native Nurseries and Retailers list, and don’t forget to save your receipts!
- Note that only native Minnesota plants can be reimbursed. Non-native cultivars, “nativars,” hybrids and annuals are not eligible for reimbursement. Need help telling the difference between a native plant and cultivar? Review our Native Plants vs Cultivars handout.
Step 4: Complete your Project!
- When your project is complete, submit your before and after photos, receipts, and project size information on our reimbursement page. Review our Reimbursement Guide for how to best prepare your documents!
- Please be patient as we send out your check and sign. There may be delays, but we are doing our best to review and approve reimbursement requests as they come. Once you receive your check, please deposit it within 90 days or your check will be voided.
- Map your completed project so we can share the impact of our collective work on protecting the pollinators.
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SUBMIT A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST
Spring deadline: July 15, 2024
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This way, we can track how much impact we are making together!
Project Gallery
Every Lawns to Legumes project is unique. Browse projects by previous Lawns to Legumes grant recipients for ideas and inspiration!
Pocket Plantings
Pollinator Lawns
Pollinator Meadows
Frequently Asked Questions
Project Eligibility and Reimbursable Expenses
Planting and Maintenance
Project Reimbursement
Miscellaneous Questions
If you can’t find the information you are looking for, email us at L2Lhelp@bluethumb.org.