pollinators

How our ecologists piece together a site’s past and plan for its future

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April 23, 2024

What can the outstretched limbs of a bur oak reveal about the land? Here's how our ecologists find signs underfoot and overhead to understand a place before beginning to restore its habitat. Read more

Can pockets of habitat tip the scales in degraded wetlands?

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January 25, 2024

Invasive reed canary grass forms dense monocultures in many wetlands across the Upper Midwest, but we're experimenting with ways to give native wetland plants a better foothold. Read more

Vermillion River flows through reed canary grass

More than 3,000 pollinators — and other interesting findings from our 2023 monitoring

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January 9, 2024

How much more often did pollinators visit native flowers than non-native flowers? And why are cuckoo bees a good sign? Find out more about our 2023 pollinator surveys, plus new opportunities to get involved in monitoring efforts. Read more

Annika, Julia, a monarch, black and gold bumble bee, red-belted bumble bee

Nectar and ... blood? A surprising source of nutrients for butterflies

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October 2, 2023

Our new pollinator biologist explains the phenomenon of butterfly puddling — sometimes on blood — and how we can make sure these insects get the nutrients and energy they need. Read more

Fall yard cleanup: 5 ways to help protect the river

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September 21, 2022

What should you do with fallen leaves? And is fall a good time to fertilize the lawn? Read more

How we choose sites to protect and restore

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September 1, 2022

Our Land Conservation program has protected and restored more than three dozen sites near the metro Mississippi River. Here's how we decide where to focus our efforts. Read more