The Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District has partnered with the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District and Shoreview Natives, a native plant greenhouse based in Two Harbors, to offer residents of each county the option to order native plant kits. Four different kits are available, with plants that fill specific soil and light conditions (butterfly and bird, deer resistant, shady pollinator, and rain garden/wet yard/shoreline), with the goal to make native planting easier by taking the guesswork out of knowing which plants to buy for which conditions.

Why natives 

“Native plants co-evolved with the climatic conditions and other species in a given region, which makes them well-suited to our gardens. Due to this co-evolution, native plants provide native pollinators like butterflies with the specific habitat, nectar, and pollen resources that they need to thrive," the Monarch Joint Venture’s Habitat and Science Team told Boreal Community Media in an interview published last year. 

But it's not just butterflies that are important pollinators. The University of Minnesota found that pollinators pollinate 80% of flowering plants. There are over 500 native bees in Minnesota, with the addition of three new species discovered in 2024. Other pollinators, in addition to bees and butterflies, such as beetles, flies, ants, and moths, also rely on native plants and flowers for food, nesting areas, and shelter during the winter. According to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), "Development, roads and tilled fields have decreased food and nesting sources for many pollinator species. Creating habitat corridors that connect existing natural areas and quality habitat is key to supporting pollinators in Minnesota." Even small gardens, sometimes referred to as "pocket planting," can make a difference. 

Pollinator decline

However, as it has been well documented over the past few years, pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss, diseases and parasites, pesticide exposure, climate change, and more. A study published in Science this month showed that between 2000 and 2020, butterfly numbers fell by 22% across 554 species throughout the US. Additionally, "Species-level declines were widespread, with 13 times as many species declining as increasing."

Bees in Minnesota are no exception to experiencing population decline. One example is the rusty patched bumble bee, once the most commonly found bee in Minnesota (according to the MN DNR), which was added to the U.S. endangered species list in 2017. In the 2024 Minnesota State Agency Pollinator Annual Report published by the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (MEQB), data from the first genetic diversity and divergence study was released. The study found that the species has "low genetic diversity, high inbreeding, and low colony abundance in most populations." Low genetic diversity provides a greater challenge to the species in overcoming stressors. Like the BWSR, the MEQB says, "Increasing the extent of, and connections between, quality habitat would be beneficial" in helping populations of not only the rusty patched bumblebee but all pollinators. 

Native plant kits

Shoreview Natives will select five native wildflowers and one native grass as part of each kit out of 36 available species. A handout with planting instructions specific to each kit will be included. After ordering, the kits can be picked up on June 4 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Cook County at the Search and Rescue Garage (604 4th Avenue West, Grand Marais) and June 6 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Shoreview Natives Retail Location (1240 Shoreview Road, Two Harbors) in Lake County.

Max Tostenson, Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Technician and Shoreview Natives staff shared that if residents are not able to pick up their kits at the designated date or time, they can arrange to have someone pick them up for them, or kits may be picked up at Shoreview Natives retail location by contacting [email protected]. 

County residents can also select specific species or other supplies not part of the kits from Shoreview Natives' offerings and pick up those items at the designated dates/times. 

(Please note: During the checkout process, a place to select which pickup option and location should be available. Currently, according to Shoreview Natives, there is a glitch where this is not appearing, and their team is working on fixing the issue. Residents are being instructed to email their preferred pick-up location to the greenhouse at [email protected].)

The last day to order the kits through the Cook and Lake County Soil & Water Conservation Districts is May 25. 

For more information, visit shoreviewnatives.com/kits