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Quiz: Minnesota Native Plant Resources

Test your knowledge of Minnesota's agencies, programs, organizations, and laws that support native plant conservation and gardening.

1. Which state agency is the primary resource for native plant community classification, scientific and natural areas, and invasive species management in Minnesota?

  1. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
  2. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
  3. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
  4. Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state's primary agency for managing fish, wildlife, forests, and native plant communities. The DNR maintains the most comprehensive native plant community classification, oversees 160+ Scientific and Natural Areas, coordinates invasive species programs, issues seed harvest permits, and provides prescribed burn assistance. For native plant enthusiasts, the DNR is the most important state-level resource.

Concept Tested: MN DNR Programs

See: Chapter 14

2. What is your county Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and why is it often the best first stop for a native planting project?

  1. A federal law enforcement agency that patrols waterways
  2. A local conservation office that delivers technical advice, cost-share funding, and connects landowners to state programs like RIM Reserve
  3. A commercial nursery that sells native plants at government-subsidized prices
  4. A volunteer group that organizes community garden events
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. County SWCDs are local conservation offices that serve as the delivery point for most state and federal conservation programs. They provide free technical advice on native planting projects, help landowners apply for cost-share funding, connect you to programs like RIM Reserve and Lawns to Legumes, and offer expertise in seed mixes, planting techniques, and restoration monitoring. Most BWSR programs are delivered through your local SWCD, making it the best first stop for practical assistance.

Concept Tested: BWSR Programs

See: Chapter 14

3. What does Minnesota's Buffer Law require?

  1. All homes must have a 50-foot setback from the nearest road
  2. Perennial vegetative buffers of native or approved species must be maintained along public waterways to protect water quality
  3. All farm fields must be surrounded by stone walls
  4. Native plants cannot be planted within 100 feet of any lake
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Minnesota's Buffer Law (passed in 2015) requires perennial vegetative buffers along public waters and public ditches. These buffers, planted with native or approved species, intercept runoff, filter pollutants, reduce erosion, and provide habitat corridors for wildlife. The law recognizes the essential role that shoreline and riparian vegetation plays in protecting Minnesota's water quality and reflects the same ecological principles covered in the wetland and shoreline chapters.

Concept Tested: MN Noxious Weed Law

See: Chapter 14

4. Which Minnesota grant program, funded by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, distributes tens of millions of dollars annually for habitat restoration?

  1. Minnesota State Lottery Education Fund
  2. Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC)
  3. Minnesota Historical Society Preservation Fund
  4. MnDOT Highway Beautification Program
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC), funded by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed by Minnesota voters in 2008, distributes tens of millions of dollars annually for habitat restoration projects. This includes prairie restoration, wetland restoration, forest habitat improvement, and land acquisition for conservation. It is one of the most significant funding sources for large-scale native plant and habitat projects in the state.

Concept Tested: State Grant Programs

See: Chapter 14

5. Under Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law, what is the difference between "Prohibited Eradicate" and "Prohibited Control" species?

  1. There is no practical difference between the categories
  2. Prohibited Eradicate species must be destroyed wherever found; Prohibited Control species must be managed to prevent spread
  3. Prohibited Eradicate applies to plants; Prohibited Control applies to insects
  4. Prohibited Eradicate species are protected from removal; Prohibited Control species may be voluntarily removed
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law categorizes harmful species by required action: Prohibited Eradicate species (like Palmer amaranth) must be destroyed wherever found, while Prohibited Control species (like Canada thistle and purple loosestrife) must be managed to prevent spread. Understanding these categories matters for native plant gardeners because some municipalities have used weed ordinances to mistakenly target tall native plantings, so knowing the law helps protect legitimate native gardens.

Concept Tested: MN Noxious Weed Law

See: Chapter 14

6. You want to start a native planting project but need funding assistance. Which sequence of steps would be most effective?

  1. Buy all plants first and then look for reimbursement
  2. Contact your county SWCD for technical advice, apply for cost-share programs like Lawns to Legumes or SWCD grants, then source plants from a Minnesota native plant nursery
  3. Post a fundraising request on social media and wait for donations
  4. Contact the federal government directly for a personal restoration grant
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The most effective approach starts with your county SWCD, which provides free technical advice and connects you to cost-share programs. Programs like Lawns to Legumes (which provides funding for converting lawn to pollinator habitat) and SWCD cost-share grants can significantly reduce costs. After securing guidance and funding, source plants from reputable Minnesota native plant nurseries that track seed provenance. This sequence maximizes your resources and ensures your project meets program requirements.

Concept Tested: Resource Hierarchy

See: Chapter 14

7. What is the RIM Reserve program, and what does it accomplish for native plant conservation?

  1. A museum program that displays preserved native plant specimens
  2. A permanent conservation easement program that pays landowners to retire marginal agricultural land and restore it to native vegetation
  3. A temporary rental program for urban community garden plots
  4. A program that reserves native plant seeds for future scientific research
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Reserve program, administered by BWSR, is a permanent conservation easement program. It pays landowners to permanently retire marginal agricultural land and restore it to native vegetation, particularly around wetlands and waterways. RIM easements protect restored native plantings in perpetuity, making them one of the most durable tools for native plant conservation and water quality protection in the state.

Concept Tested: BWSR Programs

See: Chapter 14

8. Why might a native plant gardener need to know about local city ordinances before installing a prairie-style garden?

  1. Cities require all gardens to be registered in a public database
  2. Some cities have weed or vegetation height ordinances that could be applied to tall native plantings, and knowing the rules helps you comply or seek an exemption
  3. City ordinances always prohibit native plants in front yards
  4. Native gardens require building permits in all Minnesota cities
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Some Minnesota cities have weed or vegetation height ordinances that could be mistakenly applied to tall native plantings like Big Bluestem or Joe-Pye Weed. Knowing your city's rules helps you either comply with setback and height requirements, apply for a native planting exemption if available, or communicate proactively with neighbors and city officials about your garden. Many cities are updating their ordinances to be more native-plant-friendly, but checking first prevents conflicts.

Concept Tested: City-Level Programs

See: Chapter 14

9. What role does the University of Minnesota Extension play in supporting native plant gardening?

  1. It sells native plants directly to homeowners
  2. It manages all state parks and natural areas
  3. It provides research-based education, publishes gardening guides, trains Master Gardener volunteers, and conducts field trials on native plant establishment
  4. It enforces the state's noxious weed laws
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. University of Minnesota Extension provides research-based education and outreach on native plant gardening, restoration, and land management. It publishes guides written for general audiences, trains Master Gardener volunteers who assist communities, conducts field trials on native plant establishment techniques, and offers workshops and classes. Extension translates peer-reviewed science into practical recommendations that gardeners and land managers can apply directly.

Concept Tested: Educational Institutions

See: Chapter 14

10. Evaluate this scenario: A Minnesota landowner receives a flyer from a company offering to install a "native prairie" using a generic seed mix from out of state. What concerns should the landowner consider?

  1. No concerns; any seed mix labeled "native" will work in Minnesota
  2. The seed mix may lack local ecotype genetics, contain inappropriate species for the site's ecoregion, or include nativars with reduced ecological value
  3. Out-of-state seed mixes are illegal in Minnesota
  4. Generic seed mixes always perform better than locally sourced mixes
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Generic out-of-state seed mixes raise several concerns: they may lack local ecotype genetics adapted to Minnesota's specific climate and growing season, contain species that are native to other regions but not well-suited to the landowner's ecoregion, or include nativars with reduced ecological value. The landowner should ask about seed provenance, request a species list matched to their site conditions, and consider consulting their county SWCD or a reputable Minnesota native plant nursery for locally appropriate alternatives.

Concept Tested: Resource Hierarchy

See: Chapter 14

Ready to use these ideas rather than recall them? Try the Applied Quiz for this chapter — ten scenario questions that put you in a situation and ask what to do.