FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Louise Dickmeyer
CEO
[email protected]
507-382-7756
Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota Receives $250,000 Grant from CenterPoint Energy Foundation to power Pollinators at Play Exhibit
MANKATO, MN — The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is excited to announce a transformative $250,000 grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation to bring the Pollinators at Play, powered by CenterPoint Energy Foundation exhibit to life. This innovative initiative will feature an expanded Butterfly House and Outdoor Classroom, a captivating Butterfly Nursery, and thriving Native Prairie Gardens. Through hands-on, immersive experiences, children and families will explore the fascinating lifecycle of pollinators, gaining a deeper appreciation for their essential role in our ecosystem.
“At the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, we believe the best learning happens through play. With support from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, we are creating an immersive environment where children can engage with pollinators up close—observing, learning, and developing a deeper connection to nature in a truly awe-inspiring setting. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and the lasting impact it will have on our visitors,” said Louise Dickmeyer, CEO.
The Butterfly House is a seasonal exhibit where visitors can get up close with native butterflies, while the Butterfly Nursery provides an interactive experience to observe the full lifecycle of Monarchs, Painted Ladies, and other pollinators. The Native Prairie Gardens span over 20,000 square feet, featuring essential host and nectar plants that support pollinators at every stage of development.
CenterPoint Energy Vice President for Minnesota Gas Brad Steber remarked, “The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is proud to support educational programs that focus on environmental conservation and increase awareness about the role we all have in creating a better tomorrow. By investing in the Pollinators at Play exhibit, we hope to inspire children and caregivers throughout Minnesota to learn more about the important role pollinators play in our daily lives.”
In addition to the exhibits, the Museum’s Pollinator Programming engages children in conservation activities, including the Monarch Larvae Monitoring Program, pollinator-themed camps, and a culminating Monarch Tagging Event each September. Visitors will have the opportunity to tag and release butterflies while tracking their migration journey through Monarch Watch.
The grant also invests in professional development for Museum staff, equipping them with specialized training in pollinator conservation and early childhood nature-based education, to provide a rich and educational experience for all visitors.
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation strives to be a catalyst in the communities it serves by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to increase the vibrancy of these communities. Grants are awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations with programs that support community vitality and education in CenterPoint Energy’s footprint.
Join us for the Grand Opening of Pollinators at Play, powered by CenterPoint Energy Foundation on June 12, 2025, at 10 AM, and be among the first to explore this exciting new exhibit
About the CenterPoint Energy Foundation
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where CenterPoint Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. More information about the Foundation can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.
About the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota:
The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is a nonprofit organization with a mission to ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic, awe-inspiring environment. The Museum engages diverse audiences from across our region and enriches children and families with opportunities for hands-on play.
Since opening its doors in 2015, over 100,000 visitors—young and old—have visited annually. A central draw to the Museum is its interactive exhibits and a wide variety of programs, which focus on play, exploration, and ongoing education; STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs; theater and cultural experiences, as well as many Ag education offerings. The Children’s Museum offers daily opportunities for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to explore and play with their children in its indoor and outdoor spaces.
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