Partnership Information

How Blue Thumb Partnership Works

The Blue Thumb Partnership is a network of clean water and native plant stewards creating change by bridging the gap between knowledge and action, offering resources and programs to Minnesotan residents. We lead the way in changing landscaping norms among professionals, property owners, and renters. We aspire to clean water resources supported by beautiful and sustainable landscapes that minimize runoff and create native habitats in our communities.

Blue Thumb Partners include public and private entities such as government organizations, native plant nurseries, landscape and design businesses, non-profits, and more. Our partnership goals include working on projects and programs that support each other in protecting clean water and creating pollinator/wildlife habitats. Blue Thumb partners receive a broad range of benefits (you can learn more about benefits below) and are offered to our audiences as resources. There are new, unique benefits each year on top of the listed benefits, and we are flexible. Please reach out to us with any potential ideas and projects! Let’s work together.

Become a Blue Thumb Partner

Partner Benefits

Public Partners

  • Access to informational handouts, displays, and other materials for education and outreach.
  • Blue Thumb workshops for residents help reach MS4 permitting requirements and educational goals, are demonstrated to help attendees convert knowledge into action.
  • Blue Thumb’s online partner finder tool: refer residents here, avoiding favoritism when they ask for business recommendations.
  • Extra help publicizing clean water events, programs, activities and other ways to get involved.
  • Training and workshops for partners and their communities.
  • Peer support and expertise.
  • Educational materials such as plant lists, how-to guides, and design templates.

Private Partners

  • Access to home gardeners through our Blue Thumb workshops: Workshop attendees receive a folder with partner materials and also meet with partner landscape designers to talk about their properties.
  • Expanded reach from our website to thousands of MN residents through the statewide Lawns to Legumes program.
  • Presence on our online partner finder tool which refers thousands of website visitors each year.
  • Our presence at the Minnesota State Fair and other events presents opportunities to meet potential clients interested in creating ecologically resilient landscapes.
  • Blue Thumb helps highlight companies that have an environmental focus and clean-water expertise.
  • Training and workshops for partners and their communities.
  • Peer support and expertise.
  • Educational materials such as plant lists, how-to guides, and design templates.

Offset Partner Fees Through Volunteering

Our fee structure will ensure that the Blue Thumb program is able to achieve our vision and offer the benefits outlined above. Members may fulfill up to 50% (max $500) of fees with volunteer action hours or in-kind contributions. Nonprofits and volunteer-led organizations can fulfill 100% of their fee through volunteer hours. Each action hour is counted as a $50 contribution. “Volunteer action hours” are limited to defined activities as listed on the following page. Any unfulfilled volunteer hours will be invoiced at year end. Of course, your volunteer involvement is encouraged whether or not you provide the full cash contribution to the program. See the Partner Agreement for more information. To get the most out of our partnership, see this graphic.

Become a Blue Thumb Partner

Blue Thumb Sponsorship and Additional Benefits

Do you want a more targeted marketing reach? Consider sponsoring Blue Thumb! We have a variety of sponsorship packages with different audiences. You can target audiences by type, geography, and more. You can also choose if you’d like to sponsor our workshops and educational content, our Sustainable Land Care training program, or more. Every sponsorship package includes a summary of execution (end-of-year reporting, analytics).

Learn more

Partner Resources

Blue Thumb Partners are encouraged to take advantage of Blue Thumb’s downloadable educational resources. For more handouts, guides, and plant lists, visit our Resources Page.

Partners and non-partners are able to purchase our “The Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens” book by Rusty Schmidt, Dan Shaw, and David Dods if you are planning to purchase 10 or more books. Exclusive to partners, our popular Magic Roots display is available to rent out or purchase for events. If you have resources you’d like us to share on our page or any inquiries, email Jacqueline at jacqueline@metroblooms.org.

Why become a partner?

How to get the most out of the partnership

Resources