Many factors are contributing to the monarch population decline, including habitat loss. FFA chapters have the opportunity to help reverse this loss by designing their own garden, enhancing an existing garden, or improving habitat on United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USWFS) refuges or agricultural land. Installing a garden is a powerful way to engage in monarch butterfly habitat restoration. Chapters will build a team of FFA leadership, community members and school staff or farmers to support monarchs and other important agricultural pollinators. FFA chapters will learn about science, conservation and pollinators and gain valuable leadership and project experience.
Through the distribution of these monarch garden grants, the University of Minnesota’s Monarch Lab in partnership with the USFWS and the Monarch Joint Venture, seeks to increase student and community interest and knowledge about monarchs and their ecological processes through the planting and maintenance of a monarch and pollinator garden that allows direct observation and authentic inquiry-based activities. A total of five $1,000 grants will be funded by the USFWS in 2016.
Interested in applying? Visit the Monarch Lab website to learn more and apply. This year's applications are due by January 15th, 2016 and awards will be announced on February 15th, 2016.