Anyone who lives in Minnesota and has an outdoor space for planting is eligible to apply for a fall 2025 Lawns to Legumes grant.
The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing reimbursement-based funding, workshops, coaching and gardening resources.
People who live in Minnesota and have a yard, deck or other outdoor space for planting can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitat. The program is available to both Minnesota homeowners and renters.
Lawns to Legumes is administered by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources in partnership with Blue Thumb – Planting for Clean Water. Apply for Fall 2025 grants on Blue Thumb – Planting for Clean Water’s website.
“Even small plantings in yards or boulevards make a difference for Minnesota’s pollinators,” stated BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke in a news release. “Lawns to Legumes gives Minnesotans a unique opportunity to take a hands-on approach to conservation.”
Applications will be accepted through May 15. If you previously applied for the program and did not receive an award, you will need to reapply to be considered for fall 2025 funding.
More than 8,000 residential habitat projects across all 87 Minnesota counties have been completed since the program launched in 2019. Lawns to Legumes also shares online resources such as gardening templates, habitat guides and advice about selecting native plants for all Minnesotans interested in creating pollinator habitat in their yards. The state’s general fund supports Lawns to Legumes.
For more information about Lawns to Legumes, visit BWSR’s website.
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And: Minnesota Outdoors Recreation Industry Partnership will share economic impact report at Brainerd event Tuesday, April 28.
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In its April 20, 2026, meeting, the School Board approved a series of cuts in licensed and non-licensed staff and approved a tentative agreement with the local teachers union.
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The expansion in Crow Wing County will help an estimated 1,100 households experiencing food insecurity per month by June 2026, the organization reported.
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Events this week include a production of "The Grapes of Wrath" in Brainerd, the First Friday Art Walk in Grand Rapids, and a student art reception in Bemidji.
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Charlie Mitchell enjoys interviews with Morgan Swingen (1854 Treaty Authority wildlife biologist) and phenology teacher Michelle Martin.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!
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Plus: Bemidji Area Schools approved a 3-year teaching contract along with $2.7 million in staff reductions; Gov. Tim Walz signed the nursing home "happy hour" bill into law; and the Lakes Area Food Shelf opened a new location in Baxter.
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The film “Small Town Girl,” which was filmed in Northern Minnesota, is set to premiere in April in three special screenings. Producer/Director Bill Cooper joined “Area Voices” to discuss the film.
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KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features the Zerkel Pit PunX Fest, Mike Munson, Teague Alexy, Der Erste Mai Punk Fest, and Kai Stenlund and Josh Parlanti.
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A St. Louis County woman is facing charges for a negligent fire on April 22, 2026. Earlier in the week, personnel in the Park Rapids area battled a 10-acre blaze.
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The Great Northern Radio Show was created by Aaron Brown and ran on KAXE 2011-19. The live variety show visited towns in Northern Minnesota and highlighted the music, stories, history and specialness of our region.