St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 207. The bill, authored by Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL - Shakopee) provides further funding for the Lawns to Legumes program, which assists homeowners who want to convert their lawns to pollinator-friendly habitat. The bill passed on a vote of 70-59.
“Thousands of Minnesotans across the state have participated in the Lawns to Legumes program, and it’s time to double down on this successful tool,” said Rep. Tabke. “Pollinators are vital to our food and plant production, helping to sustain our ecosystems and natural resources, and this bill will help Minnesotans bring conservation to their own backyards.”
Minnesota is home to more than 450 native bee species including our state bee, the rusty patched bumble bee. Pollinators also include moths, butterflies, beetles, and native flies. All play a key role in pollinating food crops and native plants, but populations have significantly declined worldwide in recent years. Population decline can be attributed to habitat loss and lack of related nutrition for pollinators, as well as pesticide use and pathogens.
Established by House DFLers in 2019, the Lawns to Legumes program seeks to combat population decline by creating new pollinator habitat and habitat corridors that provide food sources and nesting space for pollinators. The program offers a combination of workshops, coaching, planting guides, and individual support grants for installing pollinator-friendly native plantings in residential lawns.
The companion bill is currently moving through the legislative process in the Minnesota Senate. Video of today’s floor debate can be found on the House Public Information YouTube channel.
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