Pollinator Friendly Alliance

10/17/2026

When corporations rewild their landscaping, acres of lawn become greener, more wildlife-friendly and cheaper to maintain

10/13/2026

ADVOCATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT DURING ELECTION TIME

As politicians are running for office, this is the perfect time to let them know what you care about. Minnesotans count on our state agencies to enforce environmental laws and protect us from pesticide contamination and other pollution. But too often, state agencies fail us and treat corporate polluters like customers. When the law isn’t enforced, our health and our environment are not protected.

Ask candidates: How will you ensure environmental laws are enforced? Go to peoplenotpolluters.com to learn more about the movement.

10/11/2026

Take it from Pollinator Friendly Alliance and Prairie Moon Nursery- not only does leaf litter provide overwintering blankets for pollinators, but its great for lawns and gardens too. Nature's free compost!

Were you thinking about all the yard work you have to do before the snow flies?

Well, we are here to take two things off your list!

One of the most valuable (and easiest) things you can do to support pollinators, invertebrates, and other wildlife is to provide them with the winter cover they need: fallen leaves and standing dead plant material.

Many butterflies, moths, and other insects utilize leaf litter as their overwintering habitat. In addition to all the great benefits for wildlife, leaf litter also serves as free mulch that suppresses weeds and fertilizes the soil as it decomposes. Another thing you can do is leave the stems of your plants standing throughout the winter. The seed heads will provide seeds to birds that spend the winter with us, and the dead stems of your plants provide a safe space for cavity-nesting bees throughout the winter.

So this fall, leave the leaves and save the stems of your plants!

Let's work together to redefine what a beautiful landscape is! In our eyes, the most beautiful landscapes support the most wildlife.

We also want to note that “leave the leaves” does not necessarily mean ignoring them and leaving them where they fall. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency urges people to clean up leaves that have fallen on streets, sidewalks, and other hardscapes where they can wash into stormwater systems and end up in lakes, streams, and rivers. They note that when leaves from whole cities or neighborhoods wash into a body of water through a stormwater system, the volume of organic matter can overwhelm that body of water. The leaves’ nutrients feed algae growth, which decomposes and uses up oxygen that fish and native plants need in Minnesota’s waterways.

If you live in a suburban or urban area, we encourage you to clean up your leaves that have fallen along your curb and sidewalk throughout the fall and use the leaves as mulch throughout your yard. Also, if you are worried about leaves smothering your lawn, rake up the leaves and use them as mulch in your garden beds.

Share to spread the word! &

10/07/2026

The drought map above shows many areas of the U.S. in drought conditions, with some areas even categorized as “extreme” or “exceptional”. Pollinators are affected by periods of drought. With little rain, flowers produce less nectar, and pollinators get fewer calories and sugar from flowers. Monarchs now face these conditions while migrating to California or Mexico. For Monarchs heading to Mexico, the drought map shows slightly more favorable conditions in Mexico.

10/06/2026

Learn about the bee-killing neonicotinoid coated seed and how its contaminating our world and what we can do to fight for regulations to control this unnecessary travesty. Register here: https://nrdc-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b8kIup4EQlG0s60uTFzilg #/registration

Thursday! We are hosting a webinar that goes deeper into neonics and what we’re working toward heading into the 2027 legislative session. We would love it if you joined us.

10/05/2026

92% That's the percentage of white-tailed deer found with neonic residues in their internal organs.

Why does that matter?

Because neonics don't necessarily stay where they're applied. They can move through the environment and show up in wildlife, including animals that live and feed around agricultural land.

What happens in a field can reach beyond the field.

10/03/2026

Pollinator Friendly Alliance collaborates with local businesses and landowners, parks, and conservation districts to preserve habitat and protect wildlife. We continue our work with Washington County, MN Government Parks at Lake Elmo Park Reserve on an ongoing preservation project. This multi-topography park boasts a 200-acre conversion from old agricultural fields to habitat for pollinators, birds, and wildlife, plus a plant propagation corridor, shoreline stabilization plantings, and habitat hedgerows. But we are not stopping there. Join us this November for another native prairie seeding.

09/30/2026

Remember to leave overwintering untidy areas for pollinators. An over manicured lawn is a "dead" zone.

09/21/2026

Minnesota has environmental laws in place designed to protect the environment and us from pesticide contamination and other pollutants. BUT when state agencies don't do their job of enforcing those laws, and instead treat corporate polluters like "customers", we all lose. You can help by talking with Minnesota candidates. Ask them "how will you ensure environmental laws are enforced?" Find out more on this website about this issue here: https://peoplenotpolluters.com
Sign up to talk with your legislator here: https://act.sierraclub.org/actions/Minnesota?actionId=AR0632340&page=thanks
Sierra Club North Star Chapter

09/18/2026

EVENT: BROWN’S CREEK CELEBRATION & BIRD FEST
Brown’s Creek Park, 8312 Neal Avenue North, Stillwater
Saturday, September 19, 10 am to 1 pm

Visit Pollinator Friendly Alliance and other environmental stations, see live raptors, plus get free ice cream and conservation activities.

Go to the Washington Conservation District events page to learn more: mnwcd.org/events