We partnered with residents of Minneapolis communities that have experienced environmental justice to create pollinator-friendly rain gardens in their boulevards. Thirty projects were installed at residential and community sites, including six rain gardens near the former Roof Depot in South Minneapolis and one at a youth shelter in North Minneapolis. To receive a free blooming boulevard, residents agreed to maintain their boulevard. Metro Blooms Design+Build designed and prepped the gardens. Our community relations team coordinated outreach, planting and training. Residents of partner communities (mainly older youth and young adults), learned maintenance of rain gardens and other green infrastructure through our Blue Thumb Sustainable Landcare Training (SLC) program. After training, some SLC participants worked with Metro Blooms to plant and maintain boulevard gardens and to inspect rain gardens in the city. This project resulted in 7,584 sq. ft. of native plant pollinator habitat and captures 665,670 gallons of stormwater annually.

Funding partner: City of Minneapolis. Other partners and contractors: Northside Residents Redevelopment Council, All Nations Youth and Community Assistance Program, East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, Spill Paint, Not Oil!, Avenues for Youth, Charles Caldwell, artist.