Spruce Up Austin

04/28/2026

Prep for the Annual Third Grader Tree Giveaway is a wrap!

We bagged up 300+ barefoot trees for our areas Third Graders to take home and 🤞Plant sooner than later. *we do include instructions…like don’t plant an oak tree under power lines.

As always; a HUGE shoutout to Don our Master Gerdner in residence. We got a good turnout with help from SUA board members Jamie, James, Toby and Master gardeners Cindy Butterfield and Lori Scherer.

04/16/2026

A little Bloomscrolling.

Show us your own/favorite local waking garden!

04/14/2026

Let’s all support a fantastic state program that directly helps create pollinator habitat!

“Bugs are not going to inherit the earth. They own it now. So we might as well make peace with the landlord.” -Thomas Eisner

🐝 Is Lawns to Legumes still happening? Yes — but we need your support.

Over the past year, Minnesota’s popular pollinator habitat grant program hasn’t received enough funding to operate at its typical capacity. While we are currently working with one cohort of Spring 2026 grantees already underway with their projects, future funding is needed. We anticipate offering another round of grants in Spring 2027 — but to a much smaller number of Minnesotans.

Since launching in 2019, Lawns to Legumes has empowered over 12,000 residents to create 20 million square feet of pollinator habitat across all 87 counties. Minnesota is home to more than 500 native bee species, and this program gives people a tangible way to protect pollinators while improving water quality, supporting biodiversity, and strengthening local businesses.

Public demand remains incredibly high — thousands more apply each round than we can fund. Yet funding was not included in this year’s state budget.

If Lawns to Legumes has made a positive impact on you — or if you believe this work matters — please contact your state legislators and ask them to support continued funding. Use our template message and find your legislators’ contact info here:https://bluethumb.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/L2L-Template-Message-to-Legislators.pdf

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources

04/10/2026

Hold off until the dandelions tell you…it’s Tiiiime. ⏰

Spring is on the way, but your yard isn’t quite ready for cleanup yet! 🌱🚫

🐝 Give pollinators a chance to wake up: Hold off on raking leaves and cutting back stems—many bees and beneficial insects are still nesting and need time to emerge.

🌼 Let the soil warm up first: Wait until soil temperatures reach about 50°F. A simple sign? When dandelions start to bloom, it’s go-time for yard projects!

A little patience now makes a big difference for pollinators all season long. 💛

04/09/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVtu5tOD8Mg/?igsh=MXFzeHd1Z3RhanVkNw==

Here’s a quick instagram video to help identify Conifers!

Also: did you know that Bald Cypress is a great ‘wet feet’ tree that’s habitat is creeping into our area?!

03/19/2026

It’s the best of times to continue learning, it’s the worst of times for our native ecosystem.

Spongy Moth Informational Meeting
When: Thursday, April 2nd at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium

Join us to learn about the spongy moth and the management process that will be implemented in our area.

Participants will have the opportunity to connect with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture!

See you there!

01/22/2026

A little help from our friends…

Got dead or dying ash trees on your property? The new WoodCHIP program can help! Low-interest loans are now available to make tree removal more manageable for homeowners.

🌳🏡 Looking for inspiration on what to plant next? Head over to East Side Lake’s Tree Trek to explore great replacement species options that will thrive in your yard!

New program supported by grant funding from the Hormel Foundation

01/06/2026

Pre-orders for Native plant kits is OPEN!

Run don’t walk 🏃‍♀️

01/05/2026

Some tips and tricks on native plantings through Minnesota winters.

Even when your garden looks quiet, native plants are still hard at work — providing shelter for insects, feeding birds with their seeds, and keeping soil in place with their roots. ☃️🌾

We’re revisiting one of our favorite blog posts from last winter, full of tips for helping your yard thrive through the cold months while supporting wildlife and clean water. Read more here ➡️ https://www.bluethumb.org/winter-yard-care-for-water-and-wildlife

11/18/2025

Applications are due 11/30!

⏳ Less than a month to apply for a Spring 2026 Lawns to Legumes grant!

Minnesotans can receive up to $400 reimbursement for native planting projects that support pollinators. 🌱🐝🦋

🌼 Who can apply: Any homeowner or renter with outdoor space who hasn’t received a Lawns to Legumes grant before.

🌼 Why now: Current state funding only supports grants through Spring 2026 — this is your chance to apply, while funds are still available!

🌼 Easy to apply: Just submit your contact info and project location. Get started at https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/apply/

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources

Photo Credit: Krissy Y, Greenfield, past Lawns to Legumes participant

11/16/2025

We spent about an hour sprucing up Buffy and the Flagpole landscape at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Something good to look forward to in the Spring!