Get the Buzz: Research shows solar habitat installations support pollinators

05/18/22 • 70 min

Bees, monarchs, and other critical pollinators are disappearing, and scientists agree that loss of habitat is a primary concern. However, research has found that the renewable energy sector provides a unique opportunity for creating new pollinator habitat.
Join Monarch Joint Venture, Connexus Energy, MNL, and Fresh Energy for a webinar recorded on May 18, 2022, as we dig into the new study, “Monitoring Pollinators on Minnesota Solar Installation,” which used field data collection practices to document an abundance of bees, butterflies, moths, flies, and wasps utilizing pollinator-friendly solar habitat in Minnesota. We also discussed seed mixes and biodiversity benefits, how utilities and co-ops can lead, and more.
Panelists
Laura Lukens | she/her | Monarch Joint Venture
Laura Lukens is the National Monitoring Coordinator for the Monarch Joint Venture, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving monarch butterflies and their migration. Laura coordinates research projects throughout the US and cultivates a network of researchers and science initiatives to advance monarch conservation priorities.
Rob Davis | he/him | Connexus Energy
Rob Davis is communications lead at Connexus Energy and chair of the advisory committee to the National Renewable Energy Lab’s InSPIRE study into low-impact solar. Davis’ work on pollinator-friendly solar has been featured in trainings by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Conservation Training Center, the U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; in feature stories in Fast Company and Scientific American, and a talk titled “This unlikely 1960s space tech can help save the bees,” on TED.com. Previously, Davis helped launch technology start-ups and created the international crowdsourced campaign that launched the Firefox web browser. He is a graduate of Macalester College.
Jake Janksi | he/him | MNL
Jake Janski is the Director of Field Service Operations and a Senior Ecologist at MNL (Minnesota Native Landscapes). Jake applies his experiences from the past 20+ years in the industry towards the successful restoration and management of our region’s plant communities, solar sites, and natural resources. Beyond overseeing MNL’s spectrum of ecological services, broadest in the Midwest, Jake has also written and implemented numerous studies, restoration strategies, and vegetation management plans throughout his career. Whenever possible, he enjoys sharing these experiences and perspectives with audiences of his peers, industry groups, and others who share MNL’s mission of Healing the Earth.
Resources:
- YouTube link to the webinar- Report: Monitoring Pollinators on Minnesota Solar Installations
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Previous Episode

Powering Up Minnesota: Leveraging federal funds to drive local investment

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will funnel a historic $1.2 trillion into states—about $6.8 billion of which is headed to Minnesota. These funds will go toward much-needed investments in weatherization assistance, energy efficiency, power and grid, electric transportation, and more—all of which play a major role in our climate future as we seek energy independence.
But how can local and state policymakers, agency staff, elected officials, nonprofit advocates, thought leaders, and all Minnesotans ensure our state takes full advantage of these federal funds?
On May 3, 2022, Fresh Energy, Aimee Witteman from the U.S. Department of Energy, Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold, and special guests discussed how Minnesota can take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Panelists:
- Commissioner Grace Arnold, Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Aimee Witteman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy
- Bob Blake, Executive Director, Native Sun Community Power Development
- Dan Josephson, Energy Director, MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership
- Laura Ziegler, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Minnesota
Hosted by:
- Justin Fay, Lead Director, Public Affairs at Fresh Energy
- Eric Fowler, Senior Coalition Communications and Policy Associate at Fresh Energy

Next Episode

What does Minnesota Power’s long-range plan mean for equity and public health?

The investments utilities make in energy infrastructure, including coal and gas plants, have significant impacts on public health, environmental justice, equity, and more. Minnesota’s leaders, policymakers, community advocates, and all who live here should have the opportunity to understand these impacts. Additionally, both utilities and regulators should consider these impacts in long-range utility planning. Together, Fresh Energy, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, and researchers from PSE Healthy Energy sat down to talk about it!

This webinar dug into a recent study that delves into the equity and health impacts of Minnesota Power’s long-range plan, also known as an Integrated Resource Plan. PSE’s research revealed some significant findings about air pollution and negative health impacts from the utility’s coal and biomass plants that disproportionately impact under-resourced and Native communities.

Presenters and Panelists

Kelsey Bilsback, PhD | she/her | PSE Healthy Energy
Barbara Freese | Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA)
James Gignac | he/him | Union of Concerned Scientists
Bret Pence | he/him | Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
Isabel Ricker | she/her | Fresh Energy
Jenna Yeakle | she/her | Sierra Club
Moderator: Jo Olson | she/her | Fresh Energy

Additional resources:

YouTube recording.
Want to better understand Integrated Resource Planning? Check out our explainer blog post.
Learn more about what Clean Grid Alliance, MCEA, Sierra Club, and Fresh Energy filed as comments at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in the Minnesota Power IRP docket.
View the full health impacts report from PSE.