Current Events
A Timely and Critical Proposal to Transition “Turf to Native Pollinator Gardens” across the Metro
Throughout the regional parks system, expansive swaths of environmentally-degrading turf provide timely opportunities to create high-quality native pollinator gardens. These critical gardens would increasing habitat for bees and butterflies across the metro in a timely manner, and also serve as examples and inspiration for park visitors to plant native pollinators gardens in their own yards, leading to a mosaic of food sources for pollinators across the metro region and beyond.
Our appreciation to the LCCMR for the opportunity to present Turf to Native Pollinator Gardens on Mon., June 17. This project is being considered for funding through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and will increase high-quality habitat across the metro area to benefit bees, butterflies, birds, other wildlife, and people.
Special thanks to Dakota County Forever Wild Parks for their enthusiastic support of this grant proposal, which stems from the recently implemented “turf to native pollinator garden” near the visitor center in Lebanon Hills Regional Park. If we are fortunate to be awarded grant funding, the first site will be selected within a Dakota County regional park, and installed in Fall 2020. From there, we look forward to collaborating with interested regional park agencies to establish nine additional gardens throughout the regional parks system starting in 2021.
Learn more about our proposal and tell us what you think at wildernessinthecity@gmail.com. We will keep you informed as this process moves along.
Legacy of Nature
What will we leave the next generation: Nature…or more built infrastructure?
Legacy of Nature: A campaign to ensure ecosystems are restored and preserved throughout the metropolitan regional parks system, providing high quality habitat for wildlife, and year-around Nature-based opportunities to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
In 1974, the Metropolitan Regional Parks System was established to protect and preserve the highest quality land remaining in the metro region. Often referred to as state parks of the metro region, the regional parks contain ecologically significant land with habitats for endangered species, fens, prairies, wetlands, woodlands and water resources. These valuable resources are stressed and degraded throughout the system, and Parks and Trails Legacy dollars are available to support these valuable resources.
Contrary to what voters intended when they supported the 2008 Legacy Amendment, the majority of spending throughout the Metropolitan Regional Parks System has focused on increasing the built environment to the detriment of these critical Nature-based Parks.
If this trend continues, the Legacy we will leave behind is contrary to what voters and taxpayers intended.
Instead, we believe it is our responsibility to leave these place better than we found them.
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We monitor issues in Dakota County, Met Council, and the Legislature that affect Lebanon Hills Regional Park and our other urban natural spaces across the region. To receive a hard copy or additional copies to distribute, simply send a request with your name and address to: wildernessinthecity@gmail.com
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Wilderness in the City is dedicated to preserving and enhancing urban natural areas for future generations of people and wildlife. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, fully supported by donations from our members. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
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