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STAFF REPORT <br />TO:Parks & Recreation Commission <br />FROM:Bryce Shearen, CPRP, Parks & Recreation/Community Services Director <br />DATE:March 3, 2022 <br />RE:Thunder Bay/Westwinds Park Pollinator Update <br />ACTION REQUESTED <br />None. Informational update. <br />BACKGROUND <br />Staff continues to work on the pollinator enhancements efforts along the Thunder <br />Bay/Westwinds Park trail corridor. Staff works closely with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife on a <br />planting and maintenance plan for the area to help create a successful pollinator and native <br />species habit. Recently, staff and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife did winter seeding in a .5 acre area <br />that was prepped last year with grading and weed removal. The area will be monitored closely in <br />the upcoming growing season to make sure it will yield the desired results. It takes <br />approximately three years of monitoring before the areas thrive and are self-sufficient. <br />Additionally, staff applied for a request to partner with Great River Greening (GRG) in <br />restoration efforts. GRG is a non-profit that leads community-based restoration of prairies, <br />forests, and waters throughout Minnesota. GRG was recently awarded a grant from the <br />Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative- <br />Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMMR). Within that grant GRG received was a <br />portion allocated to Little Canada for pollinator improvements including - site preparation <br />necessary for planting, seeding and planting native species, enhancement of existing low- <br />utilization turf areas with pollinator species (bee lawn), and establishing a maintenance plan for <br />invasive species management along the Thunder Bay/Westwinds Linear Trail. To achieve these <br />objectives GRG is committing to contribute $51,200 towards the partnership and the City will <br />contribute a cost not to exceed $15,000 towards the project. <br />With the recent City Council approval of the agreement with GRG, Staff is working with GRG <br />for a volunteer pollinator planting event this May and will update the Commission once a date <br />and time have been finalized. <br />Staff looks forward to continuing to enhance the Thunder Bay/Westwinds trail corridor with <br />native species and enhancing the natural elements of the area. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />Star Tribune article – 2.17.22