2025 Xerces Pollinator Habitat Kit Proposals due 2/16
Phil Forsyth
From: Olivia Matise <olivia...@xerces.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Hello!
We want to remind you that we are accepting Project Proposal Forms for the Xerces Pollinator "Habitat Kits" through Feb 16th. We plan to announce selected partners by mid March. The Xerces Society habitat kit program aims to increase access to high-quality pollinator habitat plants.
Please see the website here. There are four kits: "urban," "large," "moist soil/rain garden" and "sandy soil." Each "kit" includes milkweed and a variety of perennial native nectar plants, 2-4 shrubs and two beautiful "pollinator habitat" signs.
This year, our priority regions are again all of New Jersey and NYC and Philadelphia. Many of the kits are designed for urban farms, community gardens, and other shared and educational spaces in cities. The remainder of the kits are appropriate for larger sites, and could include e.g. farms, restoration projects, tribal lands, public lands, parks, schools, and other educational sites. Kits are NOT for private homes.
The kit program is a partnership for "shovel-ready" projects. We provide the plants as seedlings/small shrubs, signs, and advice & planting guides. Partners -- that's you! -- in turn agree to plant the plants within 2weeks of receipt in late May/early June, and to the ongoing work of weeding, watering, protecting the habitat from pesticides, and reporting on the plantings. The cost of the plants will be covered by The Xerces Society, and plants are sourced from our fantastic nursery partner, Pinelands Nursery & Supply.
If you are interested and have an appropriate site, please complete and submit the proposal form by the end of Sunday Feb 16th, 2025. Proposals will rank highest if they are in shared spaces & support community projects AND that provide detailed, practical steps for plant survival: site preparation, planting plans, and long-term management e.g. watering, weeding, etc!.
Philly webinar: we recorded an urban kit / Philly-specific 1hr webinar, including optional additional information about a partnership with Penn State Extension for additional support for Philly kits. Please just send a quick note to eastregion....@xerces.org and we can send you the link to the recording!
Best,
Olivia, Kass, and Kelly
Pollinator Conservation Specialist
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
917-655-2440 | olivia...@xerces.org
xerces.org