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​Monarch butterfly on milkweed

Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund

​Monarch butterfly

The Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund supports work that advances the conservation of the monarch butterfly and other at-risk native insect pollinators. Originally named the Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund, the fund added the term ‘Pollinators’ to its title in 2018 to reflect an increased focus on a broader set of priority species.

Partners

Competitive grants for the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund are awarded in two categories:

  1. Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands: Grants are awarded to projects that support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on working lands. Priorities include: hiring additional staff or contractors to assist landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and NRCS financial assistance contracts; and targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan and deliver financial assistance available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk species.
     
  2. Habitat Improvement: Grants are awarded to projects that create and sustain interconnected monarch and pollinator habitat. Priorities include: restoring and enhancing breeding and migration habitat to support ample milkweed and diverse nectar plants; protecting and improving overwintering habitat; and developing sustainable and affordable supplies of native milkweed and nectar-producing plant seeds and seedlings that support habitat restoration efforts.

Since 2015, the fund has awarded $23.8 million to 140 projects that are helping conserve and recover the monarch butterfly while also benefiting other pollinator species. Grantees have matched this investment with an additional $38.9 million for a total on-the-ground impact of $62.7 million. This investment has provided support for:

  • Restoration or enhancement of 390,000 acres
  • Propagation of 1.1 million native milkweed seedlings
  • Collection of 3,100 pounds of native milkweed seeds
  • Coordination of 1,700 workshops and meetings

Application Information


Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund 2023 Request for Proposals - CLOSED View Now
Program Fact Sheet Download the PDF
2023 Grant Slate Download the PDF
Pollinator Fund Report, 2015-2022 Download the PDF
Monarch Butterfly Business Plan Download the PDF
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2022 Grant Slate Download the PDF
2021 Grant Slate Download the PDF
2020 Grant Slate Download the PDF
2019 Grant Slate Download the PDF
2018 Grant Slate Download the PDF
2017 Grant Slate Download the PDF
2016 Grant Slate Download the PDF
2015 Grant Slate Download the PDF
Staff Representatives

Director, Central Regional Office

Senior Manager, Pollinator Programs

Coordinator, Regional Programs