Pollinator Education Center at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$615,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
U of MN - Landscape Arboretum
Recipient Type
Public College/University
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2014
End Date
June 2016
Counties Affected
Anoka
Blue Earth
Brown
Carver
Dakota
Freeborn
Goodhue
Hennepin
Le Sueur
McLeod
Nicollet
Ramsey
Rice
Scott
Sherburne
Sibley
Stearns
Waseca
Wright
Anoka
Blue Earth
Brown
Carver
Dakota
Freeborn
Goodhue
Hennepin
Le Sueur
McLeod
Nicollet
Ramsey
Rice
Scott
Sherburne
Sibley
Stearns
Waseca
Wright
Project Overview

Pollinators play a key role in ecosystem function and in agriculture, including thousands of native plants and more than one hundred U.S. crops that either need or benefit from pollinators. However, pollinators are in dramatic decline in Minnesota and throughout the country. The causes of the decline are not completely understood, but identified factors include loss of nesting sites, fewer flowers, increased disease, and increased pesticide use. Developing an aware, informed citizenry that understands this issue is one key to finding and implementing solutions to counteract these factors. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is using this appropriation to implement educational efforts designed to raise awareness about pollinators, their role in the environment and the economy, and the challenges they currently face due to recent unprecedented decline. Exhibits, programming, and demonstration sites will explore the role of pollinators in plant reproduction, maintaining biodiversity, and supporting agriculture and provide guidance on actions individuals can take, such as with their landscaping choices, to help pollinators.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2014, Chp. 226, Sec. 2, Subd. 09f
Appropriation Language

$615,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to develop exhibits for an educational center that will offer hands-on learning experience about the role of pollinators and importance of pollinator habitat. Exhibits must utilize and integrate the best available science pertaining to all pollinator types, particularly native species. Approval of the work plan for this appropriation is contingent upon the organization addressing how it will increase access to the center by youth at no or limited cost.

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$615,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$615,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
7.4
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Project Manager
First Name
Peter
Last Name
Moe
Organization Name
U of MN - Landscape Arboretum
Street Address
3675 Arboretum Dr
City
Chaska
State
MN
Zip Code
55318
Phone
(612) 301-1246
Email
moexx004@umn.edu
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