St. Pollinators: Three ways to explore St. Paul

By Peter Scholtes

1. Find a pollinator Sky Rise

Since 2017, local artists and scientists have been teaming up to build miniature high-rise apartments for pollinators. The project gave researchers a chance to study what works, and why, in sheltering native bees in the winter.

But the wooden nests, at Lake Como and other locations, are also striking public art: blocky, polished houses that look like hexagonal Louis Kahn buildings on traffic poles. Honeycombs in the sky!

2. Do a pollinator garden walk

The Pollinator Path at the University of St. Thomas is more than an excuse for a stroll on a lush campus. The school has planted enough pollinator gardens to produce a map of them, with an accompanying activity guide that's kid-friendly but also fun for adults – see the insect and flower bingo cards.

3. Check out a backpack

You knew libraries checked out more than books, but did you know St. Paul libraries check out backpacks for exploring pollinators and other creatures outdoors? These "Nature Smart" kits, available at many branches, include field guides, books, tools (such as magnifying glasses), and toys. The Sun Ray branch has its own pollinator garden for users to open up packs and get started right outside.

More things to do in St. Paul:

• Visit Pollination Stations: "pocket" pollinator gardens around the city.

• Request a 90-minute guided site visit at Wakan Tipi/Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary.

• Use this map to explore the pollinator habitat at the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus — including gardens outside the UMN Bee Research Facility. 

• Visit the Enchanted Garden at Como Zoo and Conservatory to explore a variety of butterfly-attracting annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs.

• Use the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom, including this guidebook.