The Monarchs and More Western Habitat Program (M&MWHP) provides free regionally native wildflower seed mixes, plant materials for select projects, milkweed plugs (when appropriate), and technical assistance for native pollinator habitat creation and enhancement throughout California. The native seed mixes include regionally specific wildflowers, including annuals and perennials, designed with overlapping bloom periods throughout the growing season. We are excited to engage land stewards in the establishment of self-sustaining native habitat to support all pollinators.
This program supports two complementary tracks in the state of California, a community-focused program and a working lands program.
Both program tracks share the same goal: to build connected, resilient pollinator and wildlife habitat across the western landscape while providing opportunities for humans to reconnect with nature. We will especially focus on connecting habitat across key gaps between existing M&MWHP sites and other monarch habitat projects in and around Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Tulare, Fresno and adjacent counties
Click one to submit an interest form for the either the Community or Working Lands track:
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CLICK HERE FOR COMMUNITY SUBMISSION FORM
This program is for multi-site or coordinated community efforts through entities such as school districts, tribal communities, city park systems, neighborhood coalitions, or regional networks of gardens (e.g., libraries, faith centers, community organizations, RCD’s from adjacent counties). These projects emphasize human connection to nature, education, collaboration, and habitat connectivity across a broader landscape.
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CLICK HERE FOR WORKING LANDS SUBMISSION FORM
This program is for farms, ranches, and other working lands across the state of California focusing on best management practices (BMPs) and the agricultural benefits of pollinator habitat in addition to the ecological benefits. Projects may include permanent hedgerows, wildflower strips, field borders, or insectaries that improve biodiversity and provide pollination and natural pest control benefits.
How to Participate and Program Guidelines*
Interested parties must submit a short online interest form. A second phase of the selection process will involve an informational call with MJV staff. Projects that don’t meet the minimum requirements will be notified via email. Interest forms will be reviewed on a rolling basis while funding lasts, with priority given to interest received before May 1st. Projects that are eligible will be notified of their status in the program on a rolling basis and as soon as possible, but no later than the beginning of May. Find more information on the program guidelines here.
The Monarchs and More Western Habitat Program accepts interest forms on a rolling basis.
Click here to be added to the Monarchs and More Western Habitat Program Interest List.
¡Oprima Aquí Para Llenar el Formulario de M&MWHP
Support Western Habitat
Don't have the space for a project, but still want to help us get more quality pollinator habitat on the western landscape? Donate directly to the Monarchs and More Western Habitat fund and help us cover the material costs of this program like seed mixes and milkweed plugs. Your gift in any amount makes a significant difference for western monarchs, pollinators, and the environment.
Donate to the Monarchs and More Western Habitat Program
Questions
If you have any questions about this program, please contact MJV’s Western Program Coordinator, Erin Arnsteen, at erin@monarchjointventure.org
Additional Resources
Western Habitat Partners
We are proud to work with a number of wonderful partner organizations from across the country who are helping to promote, establish, and maintain diverse pollinator habitat in the West! The following programs and organizations are great additional resources for expanding pollinator support on your lands.
Seeds for Bees is a cover crop program managed by Project Apis m.
Bee Friendly Farming is a farm certification managed by Pollinator Partnership
Bee Better Certified is a farm certification program managed by the Xerces Society with third-party verification by Oregon Tilth.
Xerces Society offers a complete set of informational resources and technical assistance for California, offers habitat kits, and maintains the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper to report sightings of monarchs.
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts manages the statewide network of RCDs that support more localized technical assistance on pollinators and many other conservation practices.
Suggested Reading
Milkweed Misconceptions (See page 2 for information on milkweed and animals/livestock)
Timing Management in Monarch Breeding Habitat (Western specific, Xerces Society)
California 422A Hedgerow Planting for Pollinators (Xerces Society)
California 327A Conservation Cover for Pollinators (Xerces Society)
Nesting & Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators & Other Beneficial Insects (Xerces Society)
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge Project Apis m. for launching this program under their Seeds for Bees initiative in 2020 and for their partnership with the MJV to help it succeed. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation provides funding for technical assistance and plant materials through their Monarch Butterflies and Pollinators Conservation Fund. Additional financial support for plant materials is provided by Bayer Research and Development Services, the Almond Board of California, tentree, and the Barton J Ingraham and Gail G Ingraham Foundation. Central Valley native milkweed plugs are provided by Monarch Watch.