DNR Ecologist Megan Benage presents on the importance of creating environmentally friendly spaces. The talk was the first of four conservation themed presentation sponsored by the LWV.

NEW ULM – The bad news is pollinating species are in decline, the good news is there’s time to turn things around. 

Megan Benage, a regional ecologist with the Department of National Resources gave a presentation on the importance of creating environment-friendly yards at the New Ulm Public Library Thursday. 

This was the first in a series of four conservation-themed forums held by the League of Women Voters (LWV). 

Benage said the presentation gave simple tips for how to make a yard friendly to pollinators and conserve water. Before explaining how to create an environment-friendly lawn, she explained why it was important. 

Benage said there are three pillars holding the world together; diversity, connection and community.

“Without those three things, we don’t really survive and we certainly don’t survive,” she said. 

However, over the last 40 years, there has been a marked decrease in insect species, a 40% decline in the insect population, but Benage warned this was based on observed species. The actual decline could be higher. 

The loss of pollinating insects poses a danger to humans. Pollinating insects spread pollen and help other plants grow. Without them, certain foods could become scarce. The loss of one type of insect can lead to a collapse of other animals further up the food chain. 

“Every species we have in the environment is doing some critical part,” Benage said. The loss of insects also affects the bird population, which is also in decline. There are an estimated three billion fewer birds than there were in 1970. 

“That tells us we are doing things to the environment that are not sustainable,” Benage said. “If we are not careful, humans could edge themselves out.”

However, there was still a chance to reverse the pollinator decline. One method is to convert green spaces back to native vegetation. 

“We need to start thinking of every space as an opportunity,” Benage said. This included home yards. By converting a traditional lawn to native plants, a neighborhood lawn could support a variety of pollinating insects, but also reduce water runoff. 

Benage explained that the top foot of soil, every 1% of organic matter gives 0.2 to 1.2 inches of water-holding capacity. In Minnesota, prairie soils have 8 to 10% organic matter. Farmed prairie soils only have between 3-5% organic matter. This is because the native prairie vegetation has an extensive root system. A yard with native pollinating plants conserves more water than the traditional grass lawn. This means less water is running off and going down storm drains, but it also means less watering during a drought.

Benage said native plants are drought-resistant. Her yard contains several native species and during the drought conditions of the last few years, she was the only one on the block with a green yard during the summer.

In determining what to plant to make an environment-friendly yard, Benage said it was important to have a variety and to know when each species blooms. She suggests having plants that bloom earlier in the spring. These benefit the bumble bees that come out of the ground in April. Without vegetation to eat early in the season, the next colony of bees could die off. Benage suggested visiting Minnesota Wildflowers’ webpage, which lists which native plants bloom by month.

Benage advised anyone thinking of converting their lawn into a pollinator-friendly space to first consult the city ordinance. Some communities have strict regulations about what can go into a yard. She said New Ulm is fairly flexible. The greatest restrictions are on boulevards. What goes on in a residential yard is open as long as the property looks intentionally landscaped.

The LWV’s conservation forum series will continue on Thursday, April 4 with a presentation on energy rebates, incentives, resources and other conservation opportunities.