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Planting pollinator plots

Project underway in Minot

Kim Fundingsland/MDN Several pollinator gardens may become a reality in the city of Minot in the coming months. Here Sandra Johnson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department conservation biologist, stands in a pollinator plot at the Conservation and Skills Park at the State Fairgrounds. A local group has organized in the hopes off establishing similar plots at various locations in the city.

The seed has been planted. The results could be very beneficial for Minot.

A group known as the Minot Pollinator Project Team has a goal of “furthering community development, strengthening biodiversity, and educating the public” by creating a series of pollinator gardens throughout the community. Pollinator gardens attract bees and butterflies and other insects that are vital building blocks for a healthy environment.

“It’s a collective call to action,” said Tim Baumann, Minot Pollinator Project. “We want to do something instead of lament it.”

Baumann was referring to the very noticeable loss of butterflies and bees and songbirds of all types that has occurred with alarming speed over the past several years. Habitat loss, development, pesticides, and human-caused disturbances are among the multiple factors that have been identified as disrupting the environment. Now, says Baumann, the time has come to “reverse it and build it back up.”

“We want to bring some biodiversity to our community. We are looking at areas of flood protection around the community and have identified a few spots around town that could be a win-win,” said Baumann. “Nothing is finalized yet.”

Baumann said his group is looking at an April time frame to determine where pollinator plots might be a good fit. Planting wouldn’t begin until the end of May at the earliest. How many pollinator plots will be planted remains somewhat dependent on the results of a fund-raising effort that is in its early stages.

“Right now we are looking at getting some funding from businesses and sponsors for our materials and interpretive signs,” said Baumann. “We’ve applied for a few grants too. The more money we have the more we are going to plant.”

Pollinator plots would primarily be 13×17 feet in size, but any size and configuration is possible depending on the selected sight for a plot. The Minot Pollinator Project is teaming up with Lowe’s Garden Center of Minot and the NDSU Extension Master Gardener to produce pollinator kits as well for those people who would like to plant their own pollinator plot.

“We’re trying to remove some of that guesswork that comes with it. All they have to do is ask for the pollinator kit,” said Baumann. “We want people to be part of the solution. This is a call to action. We’re raising awareness and telling people there is something they can do about this.”

The Pollinator Project hopes to plant up to six gardens this year and an additional five more in 2022.

Game and Fish offers food plot seed

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering free seed for the 2021 growing season to landowners interested in planting wildlife food plots for pheasants. This program is meant to assist interested landowners with habitat, as well as provide food for pheasants, deer, turkeys and a variety of other animals.

The seed mix is a diverse species, multi-season mix that will attract insects, the major diet component of pheasant chicks, and provide needed cover during spring and summer, as well as a winter food source. The Department will provide enough seed to cover up to a maximum 5-acre planting at no cost to the landowner.

Landowners who are interested in receiving the food plot seed must sign up online by March 31. Further information is available by contacting NDG&F.

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