In the past five to 10 years, researchers estimate that pollinator populations have declined between 30 to 60%, depending on the pollinator. While much of the attention has focused on dwindling honeybee populations due to colony collapse disorder, native bee populations, butterflies including the monarch, and many other pollinator species, are also on the decline. Habitat loss due to urban and suburban sprawl is one of the main reasons.

In an effort to help offset the loss of habitat for pollinators, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service and the Woodford County Conservation District, in partnership with The Woodford County Extension Master Gardeners, sponsored 32 grants for Woodford County residents. Each grant recipient received 10 plants (a value of $50) to plant at their residence in Woodford County. These plants were a combination of milk weed and nectar plants selected by the master gardeners. This was the second year for the program.

The Pollinator Grant Program was designed to encourage Woodford County residents to establish or expand gardens by planting native plants that will attract and sustain native bee, butterfly, and other pollinator species. A Kentucky native plant nursery, Ironweed Nursery, provided the plants and conducted a class on native plants for Kentucky gardens, which was open to the public. Over 30 participants attended the class and purchased native plants that the nursery brought to sell in addition to the grant recipients plants. 

The gardens will be monitored over the next 3 years and pictures will be sent in by the recipients to assess their success. All of the recipients were very excited to start or expand their gardens.  Feedback from last years' grant recipients was very positive as well. Over 80% of the gardens survived through the winter and 90% of last years' participants reported spotting monarchs, bees, and other pollinators on the plants. This program will be continued next year.