Pollinator Awareness Month in Minnetonka
Posted by Jessie Jacobson on Jul 5th 2023
July is Minnetonka's 7th Annual Pollinator Awareness Month
The City of Minnetonka is proud to be a leader among North American cities that educate and empower residents to protect pollinators and their habitat. Our city has so many activities, events and resources to learn about, celebrate, and support pollinators this month and beyond!
Workshops and Events
Tuesday, July 11
Ridgedale Library
Tuesday, July 18
Stories and Art with children's author Phyllis Root
Ridgedale Library
Saturday, July 29
"Wings of Life" family movie screening and art activity
Ridgedale Library
Take the Pollinator Pledge
Become a Citizen Scientist
Share your observations of nectaring monarch butterflies. Visit the Monarch Nectar Plant Database Submission. Share which plant species and location you saw a monarch visiting. Next, submit a good photo to help ID plants and butterflies. Submissions should be made of monarchs nectaring on native plants.
Survey Your Yard
Walk around your property and identify/map places where you might add native plants. These places might include:
- Turf grass you don’t make use of (or which requires significant maintenance)
- Barren areas, such as after a construction project
- A place you’ve recently removed buckthorn, garlic mustard or other invasive species
- A garden area where plants aren’t thriving, often due to being in the wrong light, soil or moisture conditions
- A garden space where plants are doing okay, but there isn’t much pollinator activity.
If you’re inspired to "dig" deeper, check out the Habitat Assessment Guide for Pollinators by the Xerces Society.
Coloring Pages and Worksheets for Kids
Resources at Tonkadale
Pollination is a vital ecological process that involves the transfer of pollen between flowers. Pollinators are insects or animals that aid in pollen transfer, including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, ants, beetles, flies, wasps, and bats. A garden that is beneficial to pollinators in all life stages of life helps to sustain populations and provides numerous benefits to both humans and the natural environment around us.
10 Tips for Pollinator Planting
Planting a Pollinator Garden with Continuous Color
Podcast Episode 7: Bee Lawns, Planting for Pollinators, and Conservation Friendly Lawns
Podcast Episode 10: Talking Native Plants with Minnesota Native Landscapes
Garden Plans
4 fabulous garden plans created by Tonkadale just for you with native plants and pollinators in mind.
Further Reading
Protecting Pollinators at Home, Xerxes Society
Nesting and Overwintering Habitats, Xerxes Society