Today we’d like to introduce you to Blue Thumb
Hi Blue Thumb, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We are Blue Thumb, the education program of Metro Blooms nonprofit and a statewide partnership working to plant for clean water.
We began in 2006 as an outreach program of the Rice Creek Watershed District (located in Blaine, Minnesota) to help its cities meet mandated water quality goals set forth in the Clean Water Act. By 2015, Blue Thumb had expanded far beyond the bounds of any one watershed, and the licensed operation of the program was transferred to Metro Blooms. Metro Blooms staff, Blue Thumb partners, and our supporters make our work possible!
We provide Minnesotans with free resources that help them plant native gardens, rain gardens, and stabilize shorelines with native plants to protect pollinators and improve water quality. The Blue Thumb Partnership is a network of clean water and native plant stewards including local governmental units, non-profit organizations, and private companies.
With the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, we coordinate Lawns to Legumes, a planting for pollinators grant program. Any Minnesotan can apply to receive reimbursement for native planting projects and support at-risk pollinators like the monarch butterfly and rusty patched bumble bee. Each spring and fall, a new cohort of participants gets selected to take part in the program.
Another exciting, growing program that we facilitate is the Sustainable Landcare Training program, which trains young adults in environmental justice communities to care for green infrastructure like rain gardens and native plantings. Participants are paid for their time and gain job-ready skills and pathways to green careers.
Folks can learn more about our programs and free resources at bluethumb.org.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is exciting to see interest in native plants and pollinator and water conservation growing. Every small patch of pollinator habitat matters! We see ourselves as part of a broader movement that continues to build in momentum each year. The Lawns to Legumes program launched in 2020, right as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Many participants felt that the program offered a way to connect with others and make a difference for the environment in the midst of a challenging time. We are grateful to receive Minnesota state funding to continue to the program for the next several years.
We’ve been impressed with Blue Thumb, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
You don’t have to be the winner of a Lawns to Legumes grant to take advantage of the many free resources available on our website, bluethumb.org. If you’re tired of taking care of your lawn and wanting to make the switch to a more sustainable, resilient outdoor space, our Plan a Project page includes DIY guides for pocket plantings, rain gardens, pollinator lawns, tree and shrub projects, and more. We have downloadable design templates on our Resources page, and our Plant Finder tool lets you search for Minnesota native plants best suited to your yard’s conditions and your visions for your space.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
If you are a Minnesotan and want to learn more about planting for pollinators and clean water, check out our website at bluethumb.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@bluethumbmn) for seasonal gardening tips! For updates about our work, you can sign up for Metro Blooms’ newsletter at https://metroblooms.org/join-our-mailing-list/.
Learn more about the Lawns to Legumes program and apply for a grant at https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/apply/. If you’re already an experienced gardener and familiar with native plants, you can sign up to become a coach for Lawns to Legumes participants at https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/coach-info/
If you are part of a landscaping business, native plant nursery, non-profit org or local government unit and care about protecting Minnesota’s pollinator habitat and clean water resources, consider becoming a Blue Thumb Partner! Blue Thumb Partners help shape the conversation about planting for clean water. You’ll join a network of supportive peers and receive benefits including expanded visibility, trainings, and access to educational resources. Learn more about becoming a Blue Thumb Partner at https://bluethumb.org/become-a-blue-thumb-partner/.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluethumb.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluethumbmn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueThumbMN
- Other: https://metroblooms.org/
