Powering Our Pollinators | East Central Energy

A great reason to leave the leaves

Have you ever wanted an excuse not to go and rake the lawn? You see your neighbors out there and sigh, “Well, I guess I better get out there too...”

Have I got the perfect excuse for you: saving our pollinators!

With the exception of the monarch that migrates thousands of miles in the fall, most pollinators overwinter right in your yard or garden under an insulation of leaf litter. It’s easy to think “out of sight, out of mind” during colder months when it comes to insects. After working so hard to attract pollinators in the summer, it would be a shame to rake them away in the fall.

Now, I know many folks like a tidy yard, and there are many towns with rules against leaving the leaves. If that applies to you, here are a few other options:

Gently rake leaves into piles and put them on your garden beds. This helps prevent weeds in the spring and includes the added benefit of maintaining soil moisture.
Place leaf piles in unused corners of your yard; you can dig them into your garden in the spring.
Pile leaves around your trees to use as organic mulch.
Most importantly, talk to your neighbors and share the benefits of leaving the leaves.

A staggering 33 million tons of yard debris ends up in landfills every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. This is beneficial organic matter that is being released as methane, a greenhouse gas. Sometimes less is more—in this case by doing less work, you are doing more for the planet and saving your back in the process.

So, if raking leaves is a fall tradition in your house, consider starting a new tradition. Instead of spending your well-earned weekend raking, take the family for a fall walk at a park or plant some native seeds to enjoy in the spring. And if you live somewhere with rules against leaving the leaves, start a campaign #LEAVETHELEAVES and “bee” a local hero for your community.

Everywhere you look, flowers are in bloom, abuzz with pollinators diligently visiting each nectar source. This summer marks the third season ECE has been enrolled in the nationwide monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA), providing valuable habitat to this iconic species. While our enrollment in the agreement is voluntary, our commitment to quality habitat acres goes far beyond—and we have some new stats to prove it.

This is the time of year we go out to the field and start our counts. Our goal is to have a minimum of six milkweed stems and 10% nectar plant cover per acre of right-of-way on at least 309 acres. In 2021, we visited 15 sites throughout our territory, and this is what we found:

Conservation measures were applied to 4,028 acres
An average of 1,104 milkweed stems were found per acre of right-of-way
34% nectar plant cover was on those habitat acres
A total of 1,199% above our target

Prior to enrolling in the CCAA, field personnel spotted plenty of milkweed and flowering plants in the right-of-way, but it wasn’t clear how much. We now have the data to show our conservation actions provide well above the minimum habitat qualifications and that monarchs are indeed benefitting! The entire network of 28 partners of the CCAA provided a total of 692,557 habitat acres across the country.

The movement to help our diminishing populations of pollinators is taking flight and we are proud to give them a boost. Remember, you can help too by planting milkweed and native flowers or by supporting charities dedicated to our pollinators.

Don’t Mow It, Grow It

No other scent conveys the official start of spring quite like a freshly mowed lawn. For me, it evokes memories of sitting barefoot in the grass on a hot summer day, sipping a cold beverage, my face turned happily to the sun. And while I still love those springtime scents, I’ve also learned its true cost.

In America, lawn or turf grass accounts for over 40 million acres of land—roughly the size of Wisconsin! The gasoline it takes to power the equipment to maintain those acres is over 800 million gallons per year (with about 17 million gallons spilled in the process). On top of that, Americans also apply roughly 3 million tons of nitrogen-based fertilizers annually, which can seep into our water supply.

It would be easy to get overwhelmed by these statistics. How can the things we do at home make a difference? The fact is, we have more power than we think. Here are some things we can all do at home to help:

Introduce native plants to the landscape. Their deep root systems stabilize soil, which reduces erosion and run-off, and provides much-needed food for pollinators.
Use a bee lawn mix with fescues and clovers that need very little maintenance.
Replace gas-powered equipment with battery-operated equipment.
Convert some grass into a vegetable garden (fresh veggies are a big bonus).

Unfortunately, some city ordinances still prohibit non-manicured lawns within city limits. You may need to petition your government leaders to allow more natural landscapes.

Envision your yard. Is there a way to use the space to better the lives of all creatures, including our pollinators? Turf grass is the most grown “crop” in the United States, yet it’s not even edible! Why not spend less time mowing and more time growing?

Healthy Soil, Happy Pollinators

Close your eyes and visualize what nature means to you. Is it an emerald forest filled with birdsong, a cheery meadow where butterflies float on the breeze, or perhaps the ocean with dolphins frolicking in frothy waves? Now think about digging your toes into warm, soft dirt. Do you picture any living creatures there, perhaps a worm or two?

What if I told you there are millions (perhaps billions) of creatures living in that dirt? A whole system called the soil food web drives life on this planet. Turning dirt into healthy soil is an integral part of helping pollinators thrive. Let’s go back to middle school science class as we review soil nutrients.

Plants and trees, through the process of photosynthesis, create energy in the form of simple sugars. These sugars are sent out through roots to attract and feed bacteria and fungi.

Bacteria and fungi break down material, turning rocks into sand, silt, and clay. They also ingest nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium from the parent material, and create important pathways deep in the soil for water and roots.

Protozoa and nematodes eat bacteria and fungi. Through internal processes, they release nutrients back into the soil for plants to use.

When we disturb the soil food web process—usually through things like tilling or mass chemical applications—we stop the cycle of nutrients. This can inhibit the growth of plants and soil and the capturing of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.

Pollinators need healthy, pest-free plants as nectar and breeding resources. Healthy soil inhibits the growth of weeds and allows beneficial, native plants to grow. Native plants support pollinators and create deep root systems, which feed the microorganisms that create healthy soil which captures carbon. It’s all part of a self-supporting system and each step is critical.

I encourage you to “dig in” and do some research on this topic. See for yourself how these tiny creatures can have a big impact on our lives! For home gardeners, there are many ways to restore the balance of the soil, create and maintain soil health, and help our pollinators.

Native Seed Collection

With summer slipping into the rearview mirror and peak bloom times for many native species coming to an end, now is the time to think about seed collection. Collecting seed is a great way to establish native habitat while on a budget, but it does require some planning and a little elbow grease.

Before starting your seed collection journey, make a list of the target species you want to plant. Use field guides and online resources for plant identification, ideal harvest times, and to learn which plants attract pollinators. Next, go and scout out healthy, diverse habitat with a variety of native species. If you’re like me and have many native species growing in your right-of-way, try starting there. Most importantly, ask permission before collecting any seed from private property. Here are a few more tips to consider when collecting seed:

Collect no more than 20% of available seed per plant, per year.
To ensure genetic diversity, collect seed from plants scattered throughout the habitat, not just one clump.
You will need a minimum of 3 to 9 pounds of live wildflower seed per acre when establishing a habitat, plus an additional 4 to 8 pounds of native grass seed.
Native grass and perennial wildflower seeds are ready to collect 2 to 5 weeks after peak bloom time.

Once you’ve found your site and you know the seeds you want (and you’ve received permission to harvest)…

Be sure to wear gloves; some seed heads and grasses can be quite sharp.
Tie plastic bags to your belt loops or bring little jars to store seeds from different species.
Bring paper and a marker to write down the species and collection date/site location.
Use a garden shears to cut off seed heads and a small metal comb to rake grass seeds.

Once your seeds are collected, you have a few options. You can immediately plant the harvested material by hand, or you can clean and dry the seeds for storage. If you plan to store the seeds, be sure they are in a sealed container kept away from direct sunlight in low humidity. Something fun to consider would be organizing a seed swap in your community.

With a little hard work and determination, before you know it, you’ll be a seed collecting pro and growing your own native habitat to collect from in the future! For more information and training on seed collection, visit https://www.pollinator.org/.

Establishing Native Habitat from Seed

I’ll confess, before starting this pollinator journey, I knew very little about growing plants. Sure, I had some plant biology and ecology courses in college, but I was so focused on learning about the big animals that I neglected the small ones and the plants they rely on. I tell you this in hopes you will see that even if you know next to nothing about plants or insects, it’s okay—you can still do this!

Growing a native prairie from seed is a labor of love. The most important thing is to have a plan. Here are some steps to consider when starting your native planting:

Assess your site. Learn the soil type and amount of sun exposure. Also determine the size of the planting and define your objectives.
Set a realistic budget. Native seeds are not necessarily cheap, so you may need to start small. Once established, you can collect seeds from your own habitat and then expand.
Prepare the site. Eliminate all existing vegetation and exhaust the weed seed bank. Do not underestimate the amount of weed seed bank waiting to grow. Using smothering techniques is a great way to remove vegetation without using herbicides.
Plant the seeds. Typically, native seeds are best planted in the fall, around mid-October, but you can plant in the spring if irrigation is available. Hand-broadcasting can be used for areas under two acres.
Control weeds. Maintenance mowing for the first growing season will help prevent weeds from shading out the new native seedlings. When weed growth reaches about 8-10 inches, it’s time to mow.
Remember long-term maintenance. If possible, burn your native planting after the second or third growing year to yield better growth and more flowers. If burning is not permitted, you can mow in early spring. Whatever you choose, keep safety in mind.

There are many resources available to help you navigate this process. Check with your local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Department of Natural Resources, or nurseries that specialize in native plants. There may even be cost-sharing options for your project. Just remember, being a native plant expert is not necessary to plant native habitat. Start small and see your project bloom!

Worth the Sneeze: The Magic of Pollen

For the millions of allergy sufferers in the world, pollen must seem like an unseen enemy waiting to attack. While it can cause a lot of sneezing and sniffling, pollen has a very important role in the world: plant reproduction! Today we’ll explore how pollen gets to where it needs to go and what makes pollinators so good at their jobs.

Pollination is the transfer of fine pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. How that pollen moves depends on which “vehicle” the plant uses, which includes wind and water as well as pollinators like birds, insects, and bats. Some plants are self-pollinating.

Funnily, pollination is typically unintentional. When a pollinator is eating or sipping nectar, tiny pollen grains attach themselves to the animal’s body. The animal then visits another plant, carrying with it the pollen—resulting in successful reproduction of the plant.

Did you know some pollinators and plants have adapted to ensure pollen is delivered correctly?

Bumble bees and some other species rapidly contract their indirect flight muscles, producing strong vibrations to expel pollen. Tomatoes and blueberries need this type of pollination.
Some plants with extra-long petals are pollinated by specific species of moths or butterflies with long tongues. This allows pollen to be placed more specifically.
A few plants rely solely on one specific species of bee to pollinate it. For example, fig trees rely on the fig wasp. The flower of the fig tree never actually opens, so the fig wasp must go into the fig to pollinate it.
Many flowers use bright colors to attract insects and birds, and some even use ultraviolet marks that can only be seen by insects. Petal shape is also important as it provides a landing platform or a way to force the insect to brush against anthers and stigmas.

Learning how pollination occurs is helpful when planning a garden, especially if you’re planting fruit trees. If you want to have a successful garden, you need pollinators to do their jobs. Having multiple plants of the same species will ensure there is enough food to attract pollinators and enough diversity for plants to reproduce. Now that we know how important pollen is, hopefully you’ll agree that a little sneezing might be worth all the wonderful work our pollinators do.

Two years ago, I asked then-President/CEO Steve Shurts a simple question: “Can we do more for pollinators?” This kicked off several pollinator-friendly habitat projects at ECE.

In 2018, the newly-renovated Denham substation was seeded using a custom native blend. Now that the second full growing season is complete, we’re seeing colorful blooms and buzzing pollinators.
In 2019, 2.4 acres at Braham Headquarters and 1.63 acres at Superior Operations Center were dedicated for pollinator habitat installations. Both sites were seeded this year. While it will take several years to fully establish, many native plants are close to blooming.
Also in 2019, a two-megawatt solar array began production in Cambridge, MN, which includes plans for a pollinator habitat installation.
In 2020, we received a Certificate of Inclusion into the nationwide Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA). ECE is the first electric co-op and first in the energy sector to receive this distinction! It has been incredibly inspiring to see so many utilities and other land managers come together, plan for conservation, and share their ideas.

Converting turf and non-native grasses to pollinator habitat is not easy. Some next steps for our sites include targeted herbicide treatments for weeds, mowing at the Braham site this fall, and burning the sites every 3-4 years to promote new growth. It may be a lot of work, but it helps keep pollinator populations thriving.

Winter is on its way, but I’m already looking forward to next year’s growing season. Remember, autumn is a great time to plant native seeds. If you plant before the first frost, they’ll be ready to sprout in the spring!

Celebrating Pollinator Week, June 22-28

Pollinator Week 2020 looks quite a bit different than it did last year. Many festivals and celebrations around the nation may be canceled, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate pollinators at home.

Here in the Midwest, monarchs have just returned. Now is a great time to get out and examine milkweed plants for eggs. Make it a learning opportunity: take the kids, record notes of where you found the eggs, then return in a few days to see the caterpillars (you’ll know they’re there because of the chewed-on leaves). Caterpillars grow fast and will form a chrysalis about two weeks after hatching.

While you’re spending more time at home, why not plant a garden? Even a small one becomes a nectar source. For those new to gardening, start small and choose easy perennials such as coneflowers, bee balm, or Black-eyed Susans.

Get the family outside by downloading a citizen science app. Explore your yard and local parks, then share your findings online. Check out the iNaturalist app to identify plants and animals with a simple photo, or Bumble Bee Watch, which allows you to track bee populations and recognize species.

If you are good with your hands and enjoy woodworking, consider building a bee house. Solitary bees need a place to lay their eggs and hibernate. A bee house is a great way to provide them a home and gives you a great way to observe these important pollinators.

Whatever way you choose to celebrate pollinators this year, I hope you’re safe but still have fun. We can use this time at home to learn and grow our care and concern for nature and all that it provides for us. Thank you for helping power our pollinators!

Making Bees Your Business

There are many things you can do at home to help pollinators: plant a garden, eliminate the use of pesticides, and grow a bee-friendly lawn.

Have you considered bringing your passion for pollinators to work? You might be surprised by how willing your employer is to get involved. An important issue for many companies is employee retention. Studies have shown that employee engagement is necessary for hiring and retaining great employees.

Of course, every organization has differing views of what engagement is. But with the added focus on the health of our planet, incorporating conservation efforts is a great way to show corporate responsibility and commitment to your employees’ interests. Here are some things to consider when presenting your ideas:

Have a clear project in mind. Do you envision a large garden or just some planters?
Know the numbers. Consider initial cost, who will do the work, and any long-term maintenance costs.
Make sure management knows the benefits to the company, its customers or stakeholders, and how they can market it.

Many businesses are starting to incorporate pollinator habitat in several ways. Golf courses are restoring unused portions of land to prairie. Corporate and college campuses are converting manicured turf grass to pollinator-friendly habitat. Utilities (like ECE) are using integrative vegetation management programs to promote habitat on rights-of-ways. Cities have begun changing laws and ordinances to increase awareness and make it easier for homeowners to plant native plants.

We are all stewards of the land in some way. Whether you own land or not, you can still make a difference. I know how satisfying it is to see your idea put into motion at the workplace; I’m looking forward to this spring, when planting begins at our Braham Headquarters and Superior Operations Center. If you are leading a pollinator initiative at your workplace, make sure to share your story with us on social media.

Winter Survival

In my yard is a late-blooming sedum plant that the bees just love. Many times as we pulled into the driveway this fall, my boys would yell out, “Mom, look at all the bees!” It was so fun to watch the bees work. Then one chilly day, they were just gone. It made me wonder: where do bees go in winter?

Bumble bees: In the fall, female worker bees and male drones die, leaving only the queen to hibernate. She typically burrows in a north-facing bank with well-drained soil, can hibernate for up to nine months, and can survive below-zero soil temperatures.
Solitary bees: Most solitary bees have an annual life cycle. Females gather pollen and nectar for the nest where they lay their eggs. The nest is sealed for winter; as the eggs hatch, baby bees feed on the pollen and nectar, growing into young bees who emerge in the spring. Other species spend the winter as larvae and develop into adults over spring.
Honey bees: Rather than hibernating, honey bees cluster together and sort of “shiver” to generate heat. The worker bees circulate through the cluster around the queen, keeping the hive a balmy 92 degrees. The hive must have large stores of honey to recoup their energy loss.

It’s not just bees that find unique ways to survive our brutal winters. Moths, butterflies, bats and birds all have special adaptions for the changing seasons.

Hibernation or Torpor: Torpor is a short-term drop in body temperature during the day that slows the metabolism to conserve energy. Hibernation is simply an extended period of torpor. Many species of bats utilize this adaptation to survive the long winter.
Migration: The most notable pollinator species that migrate are the monarch butterfly and the hummingbird. Rather than trying to survive here, they fly hundreds or thousands of miles to warmer climates.
Supercool: Some insects can supercool their bodies by making chemicals similar to antifreeze, which prevent ice from forming within their bodies.
Freeze: Instead of preventing themselves from freezing, some insects allow their bodies to freeze. By using specialized proteins, their bodies are not damaged. The woolly bear caterpillar uses this freezing strategy.

It’s truly amazing that just under the leaf litter or in the hollow of a log, millions of insects are waiting for that first spring day when they will emerge and start their cycles all over again.

So, which are you—a migrator or hibernator?

Bee Joyful

‘Tis the season for cozy fires, hot chocolate and festivities with family and friends. It’s also the time of year when we reflect on the blessings in our lives. There are many things I am thankful for: a loving family, a happy home, and of course pollinators!

As I’ve said before, pollinators and their plant counterparts play a major role in our everyday lives, from the food we eat to the air we breathe. This year, give back to your pollinators (and your community) by shopping locally. There are many organic farms in our service territory where you can find great gifts for your loved ones. Here are just a few:

Sapsucker Farms, Mora, MN
Find all-organic produce, honey, maple syrup and hard cider.

Treasured Haven Farm, Rush City, MN
Enroll in Community Supported Agriculture, visit their sunflower fields or sign up for a trail run.

Medicine Creek Farm, Finlayson, MN
Find pastured pork and 100% grass-fed beef.

Each of the above businesses are doing their part to protect pollinators by planting native prairies, avoiding harmful pesticides and promoting the benefits of pollinators to visitors. Is there anything better than a plate of homemade pancakes drizzled with pure maple syrup? Yum!

If shopping isn’t really your thing, try the fun-for-all gift of exploration!

Grab a pair of binoculars, a field guide, and a pass to our great state parks and see what nature has to offer.
Enjoy a day of natural beauty at The Arboretum and visit the Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center.
Walk among the butterflies at The Conservatory at Como Park and Zoo and learn what to plant to attract them.

This season, blend new traditions with the old and help pollinators while you’re at it. Just remember, without pollinators there would be no pumpkin pie! I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season.

On the Farm: Cultivating Pollinator-Friendly Practices

Living in a rural area, it is likely that you know a farmer or own a farm yourself. Farmers are the backbone of America and without them our current way of life would vanish. Without pollinators doing their job, farmers would suffer. Native bees pollinate apples, cherries, squash, watermelon, cranberries, tomatoes and raspberries far more effectively than honey bees.

We desperately need pollinators, yet many agricultural landscapes today lack enough habitat to support native pollinators. With a little time and effort, farmers can improve habitat on their land while simultaneously increasing their yields and profits. Here are a few examples of what to do:

Recognize the native bees and habitat that already exist on the farm. Locate nests and identify plants that support insects.
Adapt existing practices to avoid causing harm to the bees. Minimize pesticide drift, create buffer zones around crops, and reduce the practice of fencerow to fencerow farming.
Create new habitat around the farm. Utilize field edges, drainage ditches, powerline rights-of-ways or road edges to add habitat.

The cost of creating habitat can seem out of reach for many farmers. Thankfully, the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency will provide financial assistance to support conservation efforts for pollinators and other wildlife on agricultural land. They also offer free technical assistance to help develop conservation plans.

If you are a farmer and would like to know more about what pollinators can do for your bottom line, visit xerces.org. Here you will find guidelines for providing native bee habitat on your farm; you can also download a pollinator habitat assessment to create a conservation plan. Let’s work together to cultivate pollinator-friendly practices.

For the birds

Ahh, fall—my favorite season. Of course, the colors are beautiful, but fall is also migration time for birds. I love hearing the white-throated sparrow, my favorite songbird, because it’s an echo of my childhood spent fishing in the Northwoods.

Recent studies show songbird populations are rapidly declining and there may be 3 billion fewer birds in North America today than in 1970. That is astonishing, especially since over 50 million Americans call bird-watching a hobby.

Just like pollinators, planting native vegetation is key to increasing bird populations. The secret to successfully planting for birds and insects? Native variety. Ornamental plants simply don’t provide the right amount of nutrition or habitat to sustain a healthy ecosystem, so always choose a nice variety of native species to plant.

Native trees like oak and birch support hundreds of different species of caterpillars, which are used as a high protein food source for young nestlings. If you plan to plant trees, visit us at eastcentralenergy.com for safe planting tips.
Shrubs such as chokecherry and serviceberry provide highly nutritious fruits prized by cardinals, grosbeaks and tanagers.
Forbs in the daisy family such as asters, thistles and sunflowers produce small seeds favored by finches.
Thickets and tall grass provide nesting habitat, shelter from harsh weather, and foraging grounds where sparrows, warblers and chickadees can hunt for insects.

Remember, when we plant non-native species, we are essentially replacing our welcome mat with a “no admittance” sign for birds and insects.

Other things you can do to help our songbird populations include:

Make windows safer. Up to 1 billion birds are killed each year colliding with glass. Curtains, decals and screens can all help prevent collisions.
Keep cats indoors. Roughly 2.6 billion birds die each year when they are caught by cats.
Participate in citizen science. Collect and share data of our natural world to help protect it.
Help a child discover birds. Visit our state and national parks equipped with a field guide and let the bird-watching begin.

Carving out a little piece of property for birds, insects and other animals is attainable no matter where you live. You don’t have to give up your entire yard, but we can all use our gardens and rights-of-ways to bridge the gap. Birds of a feather flock together—and together we can improve our local ecosystems.

Powering our Pollinators: United We Plant
There are many things to see while out for a drive. Personally, I love to check
out the plants sprouting in ditches and under powerlines. I’ve been pleased to
see lots of milkweed and other flowering plants growing in abundance.

It’s not just happenstance that they’re growing, either.

A nationwide effort is currently underway to promote milkweed and flowering plants. Energy, utility and transportation sectors have been performing conservation measures in their rights-of-ways. The Nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) was developed through a collaboration between the University of Illinois Chicago, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS), and more than 40 parties from the energy and transportation sectors. ECE is proud to be one of those partners, as we understand that organizations must unite to have the greatest impact possible.

You may have heard the monarch is currently under review by the USFWS for potential listing under the Endangered Species Act. Because so many organizations are interested in helping the monarch population rebound, the potential listing of the monarch has been pushed back from July 2019 to December 2020. This is great news! Now scientists will have the opportunity to see our work in action.

Some of the conservation measures listed in the CCAA are things your co-op has been doing for many years, as well as a few we have just started. These include:

Targeted herbicide application, which helps control undesirable vegetation and restore native plant communities
Conservation mowing that promotes habitat and minimizes impacts on monarch breeding and migration
Seeding and planting to restore and create habitat
Brush removal to remove woody plants (including those listed as invasive or a noxious weed) to promote suitable habitat

Each of these conservation measures addresses key threats to habitat loss and degradation to the monarch. The best part? By increasing beneficial monarch habitat, we are also increasing habitat for other pollinators like the rusty patched bumble bee—which is currently listed as endangered.

We are honored to be part of this first-ever nationwide conservation agreement. It is a true display of ECE’s environmental stewardship. It also supports the seventh cooperative principle: concern for community. We sincerely thank everyone out there who is doing their part (even if it’s just one flower pot) because you are helping save such an iconic species. Until next time, remember to plant it forward.

Wild Bees: Small but Mighty
Are you afraid of bees? Their sharp stingers, loud buzz, and aggressive coloring used to scare me, but after starting this pollinator project, I learned that most bees are fairly docile. They usually only sting as a last defense if injured or threatened. This knowledge has helped me overcome my fear, and now I enjoy taking close-up pictures for a few citizen science apps I downloaded.

According to the University of Minnesota’s Bee Lab, Minnesota is home to over 400 species of bees. Bumble bees and honey bees represent only about 2% of all bee species. Here are some more fun facts:

Globally, there are over 20,000 different species of bees.
Only 5% are social; the remaining 95% are completely solitary.
Depending on the species, solitary bees build their nests in old logs or trees, dig tunnels in the ground, or use hollow stems.
Across all species, only female bees can sting, and only the honey bee is likely to die after stinging a human.

The bees knees of pollination
All bees are important pollinators. Honey bees were brought to the U.S. in the 1600s and are used primarily for commercial purposes. Native bees, like bumble bees, are responsible for pollinating most of the world’s flowering plants (including your garden plants). Many native bees have special adaptations that make them better at pollinating than honey bees. For example, bumble bees vibrate the flower and loosen the pollen, which is great for tomato and pepper plants.

Want to attract wild bees to your yard or garden?
There are two requirements every bee needs: food and shelter. Follow these tips and your plants will be well-pollinated:

Plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times throughout the year.
Make sure you have bare patches of dry, sandy soil for burrowing bees.
Build or purchase a bee house for cavity-nesting bees.
Convert your lawn into a flowering bee lawn (consult local ordinances first).

Bee brave
With knowledge comes power. Hopefully this post has helped alleviate any fears you may have been harboring. Get out there, plant some flowers, and just watch the magic of the bee! If you are interested in learning more about native bees, building bee houses or joining a citizen science project, visit https://www.beelab.umn.edu/.

Let's celebrate! National Pollinator Week is June 17-21
Every dog may have his day, but in June pollinators have a whole week! The entire country is celebrating the positive effects pollinators have on our lives. There are many easy ways to celebrate at home, including:

Plant habitat in your backyard using native plants
Host a pollinator planting day at your school, office or local park
Build native bee houses
Join the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC)
Join a social media campaign
Become a citizen scientist

If you want to start small, stop into one of our offices and grab a free packet of native seed—one per member household. You can plant them this fall, just before frost, and have beautiful native flowers by next summer.

Doubling our efforts
Here at ECE, we are celebrating with an exciting announcement! In addition to the 2.5 acres in Superior, we will also be converting 2.4 acres of turf grass to pollinator-friendly habitat at our Braham Headquarters location. Minnesota Native Landscapes, a certified ecological restoration company, will be starting work this summer.

Don’t wait to ‘bee’ the change
There is no better time than the present to get involved. Pollinator.org is a great source of inspiration. There, you will find instructions for bee houses, learn how to register your garden for the MPGC, graphics to share on social media, as well as recommended apps to become a citizen scientist.

Early last week I saw my first monarch floating by. To me, they are a beacon of summer, letting us know that warm days are just ahead. I have learned so much about these amazing creatures since starting this journey a year ago. It’s inspiring that so many here at ECE are willing to jump right in and do what it takes to help save our pollinators.

Be sure to let us know on Facebook or Twitter what you are up to for Pollinator Week. Next time, we will explore the wild world of Minnesota’s native bees.

Powering Our Pollinators: Naturally Cooperative
Cooperation is key

We’ve highlighted just how important it is for many sectors to be involved in helping pollinators.

Individuals can plant home gardens.
Businesses can convert campus turf grass to pollinator-friendly habitat.
Government agencies can protect and promote pollinator populations by changing policies.

What it all comes down to is cooperation. Being a cooperative, that’s something we understand. While we are just getting started with our efforts, another cooperative, Great River Energy (GRE), has been re-establishing native habitat for over a decade. For those of you unfamiliar with GRE, they are our power supplier.

Going native
Last fall, I met with Jenny Mattson, GRE Communications Specialist, at their Elk River site. Here, they have converted nearly nine acres of manicured lawn into pollinator-friendly habitat. During full bloom, the colors are stunning.

I asked Jenny how GRE got started planting native habitat.

“Our first native habitat was at our Maple Grove campus,” she said. “We chose to plant native habitat as a way to uniquely contribute to the pollinator restoration effort. Planting native habitat also reduced maintenance costs and looks beautiful. It helped us attain the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the campus.”

There is a rising trend, especially among utilities, of planting and managing for pollinators. I asked Jenny why that is so important.

“As a utility, we have unique opportunities to manage and own lands that can be of great use to pollinators,” she said. “Our power line rights-of-way can offer long, continuous plots of habitat. We can partner with land trusts, parks and other organizations to plant pollinator habitat, as we don’t often own the corridor where our power lines are located.”

Over the last several years, government agencies, environmental organizations, the public and the media have been actively taking measures to solve the problem of pollinator loss. GRE simply wants to do their part. We feel the same way.

Commitment to Community
To date, GRE has restored approximately 200 acres to native habitat and will continue to seek opportunities for new projects. “Pollinator-friendly habitat projects support our commitment to invest in Minnesota communities,” said Jenny.

This commitment to community is what sets cooperatives apart. What GRE and other co-ops around the state and nation are doing to help pollinators is truly inspiring. Pollinators may be small, but their plight has large-scale effects. Thank you to Jenny Mattson for taking the time to share GRE’s story. Join us next time when we explore pollinator-friendly solar.

A Ray of Hope
Renewable energy and the plight of pollinators are both pretty big deals right now. While not everyone agrees on how much energy should come from renewables like solar, they generally do agree on what to plant under solar arrays: pollinator habitat.

Prior to 2016, you typically would have found rock or turf grass under a solar array in Minnesota. That all changed when the Pollinator Friendly Solar Act was signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton in May of that year. This was truly a win-win for everyone. Here are just a few benefits of planting for pollinators beneath solar arrays:

Provides high-quality habitat for birds, pollinators and other small wildlife.
Reduces stormwater runoff and erosion.
Restores important prairie ecosystems.
Boosts crop yields in nearby fields.
Reduces vegetation maintenance costs.
Increases panel efficiency.

According to a new study released by MN Solar Pathways, solar projects generally require about 7 acres of land per megawatt of energy production. Minnesota has roughly 7,100 acres of solar projects installed. And while that only represents a small fraction of land in the state, it is still a huge step forward for pollinators.

The state’s current goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025 can only be good news for pollinators. We recently announced that Great River Energy will build and buy power from a solar array in Cambridge. As you can guess, pollinator habitat will be incorporated into the roughly 15-acre site.

Planting for pollinators beneath and around a solar array is just one example of a creative solution to an immense problem. It’s also inspiring to see how technology can positively impact the environment. Thanks for tuning in. Next time we will dive into Pollinator Week and how you can get involved.

Think Spring!
Minnesota winters can be long…very long. Snow, ice, and frigid temperatures seem to take up more than their fair share of the year. The winter blues settle in quickly. It helps to have something to look forward to, and for me, that something is Spring!

Spring may seem far out of reach, but it’s the best time to start planning your garden—specifically, your pollinator garden. We are excited to break ground on our pollinator habitat in Superior, WI, and hope to inspire you to do the same.

When planning your garden, consider three things:|

Space: Where can you plant? Perhaps a plot of land within your yard or community garden. Other places include planter boxes or along the perimeter of your house.
Plant size: Big or small, every plant makes a difference.
Cost: Native plants may be more expensive, but they provide the best benefit to pollinators and the ecosystem.

Think of the pollinator species you want to attract.
here are many guides available to help you choose the correct plants, whether you are interested in attracting bees, birds, or butterflies. While each garden will be different, there are tips that work for every garden type.

Plant flowers that provide pollen and nectar throughout the entire growing season.
Create habitat with nesting sites, shelter, and water sources.
Eliminate the use of pesticides.

Not all flowers are created equally.
It is best to choose locally-sourced, native species. Native plants have adapted to the local climate; therefore, they provide the best source of nutrition to native animals. It is also important to plant a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the season. This will provide a continuous food source and increase the likelihood of pollinator survival.

In addition to planting plenty of flowers, you will want to include native grasses and semi-bare patches of soil to create habitat. Most native species of bees are solitary ground nesters. Avoid disturbance to any nest sites, including mulching and tilling. You can even build your own artificial bee nests—for details, check out the instructions from the Xerces Society at http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/nests_for_native_bees_fact_sheet_xerces_society.pdf.

Do not use pesticides.
The prolific use of insecticides, specifically those similar to nicotine (look for “neonicotinoids” on the label), has been extremely detrimental to pollinator populations. Toxicity levels can remain months to years after application. Before planting, ensure there will be no drift from neighboring crop fields. Select a site that has been free from insecticide use for at least two years. And finally, use only targeted herbicide treatments for weed control during times when they are most effective and least harmful to pollinators.

Seed assistance is available.
There are non-profit organizations that will provide seed to you at either no cost or on a cost-share basis. They each have a different set of rules, but you could save hundreds (or even thousands) in the end. Here are just a few of the sites:

http://beeandbutterflyfund.org/ - Check out their Seed a Legacy Habitat Program.
https://monarchwatch.org/ - They offer free milkweed plugs to individuals and schools.
https://pollinator.org/ - While they don’t offer free seed or plants, they do provide free apps and ecoregional planting guides.

Final thoughts: Think green!
Let’s kick the winter blues and help save our pollinators. It will take a lot of us, doing our small parts, to make a big impact.

Our next blog post will explore what Great River Energy, our power supplier, is doing to help pollinators too. Be sure to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter so you don’t miss out!

Powering Our Pollinators: What’s the buzz all about?
If you’ve checked your social media feed or watched the news lately, you may have heard about the declining population of the world’s pollinator species. But, have you ever wondered how the population of an insect or bird could affect you? Well, think about these statistics from the USDA:

Pollinators are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food.
They are directly responsible for pollinating 35% of the world’s food crops.
They pollinate 75-90% of the world’s flowering plants.

Do you feel differently now? I know I did when I first heard those staggering numbers.
Birds, bees, bats, butterflies, flies, and small mammals make up the majority of what are considered ‘pollinator’ species. They use their bodies to pick up pollen from one plant and deliver it to another. This is the first step in pollination that produces seeds, fruits and the next generation of the plant.

Pollinator populations are changing. Let’s look at the monarch butterfly, an iconic pollinator species. Their numbers have declined by more than 80% in the last two decades. Habitat loss is the key driver behind their decline. Milkweed, which is the host plant for the monarch, is often seen as just a weed and eradicated from the landscape. Another contributing factor could be a lack of late-flowering nectar sources along their migration route.

What does all this have to do with an electric co-op?
Many researchers believe we need all-hands-on-deck to boost the pollinator population. With over 8,000 miles of vegetation to manage, ECE can help preserve and promote pollinator habitat in our rights-of-way. And, like you at home, we can plant pollinator gardens.

ECE is researching possible sites to establish pollinator gardens.
To create a diverse and well-maintained pollinator habitat, we have teamed up with MN Native Landscapes (MNL) out of Otsego, MN. MNL has years of experience restoring native vegetation to business and home landscapes. With their expertise, we plan to transform roughly two acres of turf grass and scrub brush into pollinator habitat at our Superior Operations Center. Because native plants have such deep roots, it can take up to three years for the garden to fully establish. We believe the time we put in now will provide more time for our pollinator populations to grow.

In our next blog, we will discuss the benefits of using targeted herbicides in our rights-of-way to promote native vegetation for our wildlife.

Welcome to the first edition of Powering Our Pollinators.
Imagine a peaceful, breezy afternoon in your yard or garden. As you enjoy the warm breeze, you see a monarch butterfly softly floating by. Now, listen closely. Do you hear the buzz of a distant bee? Perhaps you swat at a fly that’s making circles around your head. These are our pollinators, and they need help.

Who am I and how did our pollinator project get started?
The great outdoors is where I most wanted to be as a child. Camping, hiking and fishing were three of my favorite activities. That love of nature followed me into adulthood, and I graduated from college with a degree in zoology. I spent many years working at an animal rescue facility, where I learned of the delicate balance between the natural world and the role humans play. While I no longer work directly with animals, East Central Energy (ECE) has given me an opportunity to use my knowledge and passion in a new way.

With the plight of the pollinator now making front page news, many organizations are stepping up to help. I learned of other electric cooperatives building pollinator gardens and large monarch waystations and posed this question to our CEO: Can ECE do more? He immediately said yes. With the help of several other team members, we are researching sites that could be converted from turf grass to pollinator-friendly habitat.

What can you expect?
The Powering Our Pollinators blog will bring you updates on all our pollinator projects and share why protecting pollinators is important. It will also be a forum to discuss how our Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) system promotes pollinator habitat in our rights-of-way. I am excited to get started on this project and hope to share some ways you, as a member, can get involved in helping pollinators too. Catch the next installment, where we will discuss the importance of pollinators and what we hope to accomplish.