In 2017 and 2018, the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) partnered with Metro Blooms to install patches of pollinator-friendly plants, focused on attracting the monarch butterfly, along East 50th St. in the Nokomis East neighborhood. The goal was to provide pollinator way stations between the Nokomis Naturescape Garden at Lake Nokomis and Gateway Gardens near Minnehaha Falls. Volunteers from NENA targeted outreach to residents along 50th St., resulting in 18 new pollinator plantings (about 90 sq. ft. each) in the boulevard along this street. Residents continue to maintain these plantings.