Blue Thumb

Blue Thumb is no longer active on X. To keep up with us and support our work, give us a follow on Facebook or Instagram!

A healthy ecosystem starts with healthy soil. 🌱 Living organisms in soil are essential to healthy ecosystems. You can support healthy soils by planting native species that are not dependent on supplemental water, fertilizer, or pesticides to thrive. #SoilHealth

Happy National Pollinator Week! 🐝🦋 This week, we celebrate all that pollinators do for our ecosystems and recognize the responsibility we have in protecting them. Make your yard a year-round pollinator haven with a Lawns to Legumes grant: bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legum…

One reason why native plants make our landscapes more resilient is because of their deep root systems. In addition to saving water, the roots of native plants slow down and infiltrate runoff, helping prevent erosion and clean our water. Why plant native? It’s in the roots!

Are you looking for a job in Minnesota's environmental sector? Put the Blue Thumb Job Board on your list of places to check regularly! 🌱 Start browsing or submit a job listing with us: bluethumb.org/job-board/

There are many ways to make your yard more resilient. 💧🐝 Pocket plantings, raingardens, and driveway plantings intercept pollution from stormwater runoff and provide pollinator-friendly refuges. Learn more in @BlueThumbMN's free online learning series: bluethumb.org/events/

Every small patch of pollinator habitat matters. 🦋 Let's work together to create connected pollinator corridors across our neighborhoods! Join us on May 23 for our last virtual Resilient Yards workshop of the spring with @CityMinneapolis: bluethumb.org/event/resilien…

No Mow May encourages people to take a break from lawn mowing. For our latest blog post, we’ve called on three of our landscape design partners and one trailblazing city to share with us how pollinator-friendly lawncare can be a year-round practice: bluethumb.org/lawn-care-for-…

Alternative turfs require less water, fertilizer, and mowing than traditional turfgrass. Their deeper roots help prevent soil erosion, filter contaminants from water, and sequester carbon. Make the switch at an upcoming Alternative Turfs workshop: bluethumb.org/events/

Are you a shoreline property owner in Minnesota? Join Blue Thumb and @stlouispark for a virtual Resilient Shorelines Workshop on 4/20. We’ll cover shoreline site assessments, project ideas, plant selection tips, regulatory reminders, and more: bluethumb.org/event/resilien…

What is a resilient landscape?🌻 Resilient landscapes strengthen ecosystems by providing a diversity of habitat aboveground and a diversity of root systems below that capture carbon and support healthy soils. Take action to make your yard more resilient: bluethumb.org/events/

When selecting native plants for your yard, plant for blooms throughout the growing season. 🌸 With a little strategy, you can ensure that pollinators will have access to fuel all year long! Learn more at a Resilient Yards workshop: bluethumb.org/events/

Last call to register! Join us for a virtual Resilient Yards workshop with @stlouispark on 3/30 from 6-8pm. 🌼 This workshop will give you the tools you need to create beautiful habitat for pollinators and restore the ecology of your yard. bluethumb.org/event/resilien…

Our workshops are starting to fill up! 🌱💧 Resilient Yards with @stlouispark on 3/30 and @CityMinneapolis on 4/6 Turf Alternatives with @VLAWMO on 3/30 and @stlouispark on 4/4 Resilient Shorelines with Rice Creek Watershed District on 4/3 Register at bluethumb.org/events/

It's not just pollinators who benefit from native plantings. Humans do, too! Being near nature boosts our health and well-being, and planting projects can help build a sense of community when neighbors work together towards a shared goal. 💗🌼🤝 #GrowTogether

Minnesota state agencies are currently developing an action framework to help restore pollinator health in Minnesota. 🐝🦋 Now through 3/15, you can give feedback on the draft Minnesota Pollinator Action Framework! Share your ideas here: engage.eqb.state.mn.us/pollinators

We've revamped our Resources page! 🌼🐝 Find guidance specific to your project, whether you're installing a raingarden, restoring your shoreline, or choosing a turf alternative: bluethumb.org/public-resourc…

Whether you want to start small or go big, there's a native planting project just right for you! Learn about pocket plantings, bee lawns, tree planting and more on our Steps to Plant for Pollinators page: bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legum…

The Blue Thumb Job Board is buzzing with activity! 🐝 We've got lots of water and environment-related positions up right now, including seasonal internships and outdoor work: bluethumb.org/job-board/