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An environmental education non-profit based in North Branch has won a grant that will help fund native pollinator-friendly habitat plantings in the city.  Use of the money includes native habitat enhancement at the library, the commissioning of a Monarch butterfly artwork (see photo) and the final phase will supply teaching materials for area public and home-schooled students.

Kids for Saving Earth and the strategy group that organized a North Branch Monarch Capital of thwe World program,  applied cooperatively for the $25,000 grant.

North Branch Rotary has also been involved since this community effort began a couple years ago, by providing small signs posted at dozens of Monarch habitat mini-gardens already scattered around North Branch.

The library  project will convert 2.5 acres of manicured lawn to pollinator friendly space.  Habitat is to be planted this fall.  The grasses and flowering plants will help prop-up dwindling populations of pollinators like the Monarch butterfly.  This will be done in partnership with area firm Minnesota Native Landscapes. The sculpture will be set in the library area.  

It will be crafted out of recycled steel (like the photo) and set on a stone base.  A spokesperson for the Monarch Team says the design is still coming together.

Remaining funds go to future pollinator education workshops.

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