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Our Bring Back the Monarch to Texas program awarded almost $9,000 in small grants this spring to community gardens around the state to fund planting of Monarch butterfly habitat.
The grants will go to schools, nature centers and other organizations in order to create demonstration gardens with Monarch habitat. Grants may only be used to pay for native milkweeds or native butterfly nectar plants. A complete list of gardens receiving grants and more information about the program is available here.
The Bring Back the Monarch to Texas project was established by the Native Plant Society of Texas in 2013 in order to raise public awareness for Monarch Butterfly conservation and to restore Monarch habitat throughout the Texas migration flyway. Since its inception the program has awarded over $50,000 to more than 200 different garden projects.
Texas provides critical habitat on the primary migration pathway of Monarchs to and from their wintering grounds in Mexico. The availability of native milkweed host plants, which is necessary to assure successive generations continuing north, has declined in Texas. Herbicide-tolerant crops, mowing of roadsides, parks and open areas and continued drought have all had an impact on the number of Monarchs surviving the journey.
Funds to support the Bring Back the Monarch to Texas program come from grants and individual donations. If you or your organization would like to help support the project please donate online or contact our office.
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins
