Monarch butterflies, other pollinators to benefit from $5.2 million in conservation grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $5.2 million in grants to conserve monarch butterflies and other insect pollinators in 24 states.

The grants will leverage $5 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $10.2 million.

The grants were awarded through the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund, a partnership among NFWF and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Forest Service, Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation.

The projects supported by the 17 grants will increase the quality and quantity of pollinator habitat for monarch butterflies, rusty patched bumble bees and other native pollinators. The projects will also enhance outreach and support voluntary conservation efforts on private working lands.

“Monarch butterflies and pollinators make essential contributions to natural ecosystems, agriculture and the economy,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “The grants announced today will advance collaborations with public and private land managers to restore and improve habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.”

Collectively, it's expected these projects will:

• Restore and enhance more than 26,000 acres of pollinator habitat
• Collect more than 360 pounds of milkweed seed
• Propagate more than 3,000 milkweed seedlings
• Host more than 190 workshops and meetings that advance pollinator conservation

Over the past 20 years, the monarch butterfly population has declined by more than 80% throughout much of its range. Several other pollinators have experienced similarly dramatic declines in recent decades. Habitat loss is a primary threat to many of these species.

In 2015, NFWF established the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund, a public–private partnership that funds projects to protect, conserve and increase habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

The fund is helping to reverse recent population declines and ensure the survival of these species. Since 2015, the fund has awarded $29 million to 156 projects that are helping conserve and recover the monarch butterfly while also benefiting other pollinator species. Grantees have matched this investment with an additional $43.9 million for a total on-the-ground impact of $72.9 million.

A complete list of the 2024 grants made through the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund is available here.

Hear from several of the partner agencies below:

“It’s exciting to continue to be part of the diversity of interests supporting America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who are managing working lands for healthy monarch habitat,” said NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. “Agricultural landscapes depend on pollinators to produce high value fruit and vegetable crops, and accomplishing large-scale habitat improvements for the monarch butterfly and other key pollinator species is critical to ensuring sustainable working lands.”

“NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund provides direct and positive impacts for monarchs and other pollinators,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams. “By using more milkweed and nectar plants in restoration and enhancement projects and providing technical assistance to make sure projects are as impactful and effective as possible, the Pollinator Fund plays a critical role in increasing pollinator habitat.”

“The NFWF Pollinator Fund, over the past 10 years, has demonstrated the long-term dedication that is needed to drive the restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services through these on-the-ground conservation projects,” said Tim Fredricks, environmental engagement manager at Bayer Crop Science.

“This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration in conserving pollinators and increasing biodiversity through localized, on-the-ground conservation projects. By working together — and in partnership with farms and rural communities — we can significantly enhance habitats for pollinators while increasing the productivity and resilience of farms and native ecosystems,” said Jessie Copeland, head of regenerative agriculture at Danone North America.

“Pollinators are critical for the success of gardeners, and we are proud to partner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation on these grants to protect and restore their habitats,” said Brian Herrington, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “Aligned with our Pollinator Promise to help establish and enhance pollinator gardens, we look forward to the continued efforts in conserving and recovering pollinators through the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund.”