Mid-Atlantic Monarch and Pollinator Habitat Kit Program

Qualifying Projects
Kits are designed to be appropriate for community gardens, urban farms, working lands, town and city parks, educational institutions, Indigenous tribes, and other shared community spaces. A majority of the kits are designed for smaller spaces ranging from 500-2000 ft2, and the remainder are appropriate for other larger sites with sufficient plants to fill up to 4000 ft2 of planting space.

Kits are not for residential use or private homes.

Locations
Priority areas are NYC, Philly, and the surrounding areas in NJ, NY, and PA.
 

Timeline
This is an overview of the entire habitat kit process from project proposal to final report. For more information about each step, please read the sections below. 

Proposals for the 2026 habitat kit season will be open from January 16th through February 17th. Any changes to the proposal window (e.g., deadline extensions) will be posted here.

We have a standardized ranking process that assesses site readiness and maintenance, community need, and educational opportunities. Be prepared to answer the following questions/provide descriptions of the project aspects in the proposal form outlined below. Strong proposals will include detailed responses for each prompt. It is highly encouraged to upload photos of the potential planting site in the appropriate section of the proposal form.

Proposal Form Outline

• Contact Information
• General Site Information
  • Location
  • Project Name
• Kit Types and Descriptions
  • Request a specific kit type (review the available kits in the following section) based on available space and soil type/moisture
• Specific Habitat Project Plan
  • Description of planting location
  • Space available for planting in square feet (area = length x width)
  • Current conditions/existing vegetation
  • Site preparation plan
  • Plant care and protection after planting
  • Long-term maintenance
• Pesticide Protection
  • Pesticide use practices within and near the site
• Outreach, Education, Community Science
  • Who will benefit from the plants
  • How does access to this kit fit into and support your community's ongoing work
  • Educational or community engagement events planned - this is highly favorable
• Final Program Logistics
  • Agreement to submit the Planting Notification Form and Final Report
  • If necessary, request shipping for the kit

View a PDF version of the 2026 Proposal Form here.

Submit a Proposal

Kits will be available for pick-up or shipping in late May/Early June 2026*.
We will reach out to project partners with more details regarding habitat kit distribution.

*Exact dates are dependent on availability from our habitat kit partner nursery, Pinelands Nursery. Project partners should keep an eye on all communications and be ready to make plans to accept plants when notified. Xerces will help coordinate a pick-up or delivery schedule.

Distribution Location: Pinelands Nursery, 323 Island Rd, Columbus, NJ 08022

Shipping: Shipping is available as needed; however, funds are limited. If you are able to pick up in person, we ask that you do so to keep funds open for those unable. If you request shipping, we will reach out with more details once distribution dates are finalized. We will be able to provide delivery dates and tracking codes, but we cannot guarantee the time of day the plants are dropped off, so please make appropriate arrangements to receive the plants.

Note: Unfortunately, we cannot ship shrubs. Shipped kits will include only the herbaceous plants.

Pick-up Transportation Tips:
The plants come in trays or “flats” of 50 plants, which are trays that measure 20 inches by 10 inches. Shrubs will be in small pots. Habitat kit options for 2026 and the number of plants/flats per kit type are: 

• Kit #1 - the Small Dry "Urban" kit has 10 flats (10 flats * 50 plants = 500 plants), plus 2 shrubs.
• Kit #2 - the Large Upland, Dry-Average kit has 20 flats (20 flats * 50 plants = 1000 plants), plus 4 shrubs.
• Kit #3 - the Sandy Soil kit has 10 flats (10 flats * 50 plants = 700 plants), plus 2 shrubs.
• Kit #4 - the Moist Soil / Rain Garden Kit has 11 flats (14 flats * 50 plants = 700 plants), plus 2 shrubs.

The bed of a car with the back seats laid down is often sufficient for smaller kits, and the bed of a pickup truck is often big enough for a large kit. However, we STRONGLY recommend measuring your vehicle before driving all the way to the nursery to ensure you have enough space.

Image of a small kit in the back of an SUV:

Note: You must submit the Project Partner Collaborative Agreement before receiving your kit(s).

Reporting is critical to the work that Xerces does in order to ensure continued funding. We cannot count the results of your planting if you do not complete the required reporting. The information provided by all Habitat Kit participants helps Xerces update and improve the science-based conservation resources we offer through our website, training courses, and webinars.

Planting Notification Form (PNF)
This report confirms the planting at the project site, with photos included. 
We ask that you submit your PNF within 2 weeks of receiving the plants.

Final Report
This report provides more information on the establishment of the plants. 
The Final Report will be sent out in late November of 2026.

If awarded a kit, you will receive a project partner collaborative agreement that outlines all specific reporting requirements.
 

Please see the Mid-Atlantic Habitat Kit Planting Guide for more detailed steps and information

Site Preparation

• Site prep should be completed before receiving the plants, as plants must be installed within two weeks of receiving the kit.
• Clear all weeds and make sure that the minimum space needed for the kit you requested will be available. Calculation for a rectangular bed: area = length X width. Use a spacing calculator if needed. 
• Create a long-term schedule for planting and post-planting management, including monitoring, watering, weeding, and other required maintenance activities. Organize work days and labor responsibilities. 
• Resources:
  • Mid-Atlantic Habitat Kit Planting Guide
  • Organic Site Preparation for Wildflower Establishment
  • Creating Perennial Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Habitat Using Plugs
  • Small Habitat Plantings In Urban Areas
     

Planting

• Plants should be installed 1-2 ft apart. Considering planting several of the same species near each other, for example, 3-10 plants of the same species are planted in clumps. This is often more aesthetically pleasing and helps pollinators who prefer larger displays of blooms. 
• For examples, see PA DCNR’s Garden Template and Wild Ones Native Garden Designs Website. Note: These guides are provided as a visual reference; habitat kits will not have the same species of plants.
• Attach your habitat signs to a durable post in a location where they will not be obscured by plant growth.
• Adding a layer of mulch to newly installed plantings during the establishment phase is recommended to reduce weed competition and to retain moisture.
   

Maintenance

• Protect plantings from animal damage and vandalism.
• Control competing vegetation before and after planting. Weed control may be accomplished through hand pulling, hoeing or other hand tools, mowing, string-trimming, or targeted spot-application of herbicide when non-chemical methods are not feasible. Take care not to damage desirable plants. Once plants are established, they will be more competitive against weeds. 
• Consistent monitoring and assessment of the habitat plantings will allow for early detection of problems and timely management intervention. This will also help to write the project report required by the terms of the project partner agreement.
   

Note: Xerces is unaffiliated with these linked organizations; links are not product endorsements.

Pollinator Conservation Resource Center
Here you'll find region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the species of invertebrates and native plants you might encounter.

Additional Information

• Plant Species Profile Cards
• Publications Library
• Xerces Society YouTube Channel
• Bug Banter Podcast
• Resources for Educators
• Evaluate your soils with Web Soil Survey 
• Habitat Assessment Guide for Pollinators in Yards, Gardens, and Parks
• Guidance to Protect Habitat from Pesticide Contamination
• Persistent Herbicide Restrictions
• Restricciones Persistentes de Herbicidas
• Get Involved! Project Partners are encouraged to use their habitat kit plantings for education and outreach. Xerces has several Community Science Opportunities.

1.Is there signage?

Yes! Each kit Project Partner will receive a free sign in English and Spanish, as well as a sign for Pinelands Nursery, our partner nursery, which are to be posted at the planting site. 

2. Can I get technical assistance for creating and maintaining my kit?

Yes! We are happy to help. To get started, review the planting guide for Mid-Atlantic habitat kits and resources provided in the Additional Information tab (above). You can also find a variety of information and materials on our website at www.xerces.org. You may also contact us at eastregion.pollinators@xerces.org with questions about your project and for advice on how to ensure that your project will be successful.

For projects in the Philly area: We are so lucky to have a partnership with Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and Watershed Stewardship volunteers. You may reach out to Jessica Schweiger (jes6956@psu.edu) or Beth Yount (bay5094@psu.edu) for a virtual meeting or in-person site visit for support on site prep, planning, planting, and maintenance. If you anticipate asking for support, we HIGHLY recommend reaching out to them as early as possible in your proposal process.

3.  I am receiving funds for my project through an NRCS Farm Bill Program. Can I still apply for a kit?

Yes, however, the habitat kit plants cannot be planted in an area that is in contract for a cost-share program. Please check in with your NRCS contact to make sure you are still fulfilling your contractual obligations.

4. How can I support the Xerces habitat kit program?

Thanks! The habitat kits are possible thanks to the generosity of Xerces Society donors and members. Find out how you can support the Xerces Society at https://xerces.org/donate

Please email olivia.matise@xerces.org with any questions.

Meet our Mid-Atlantic Habitat Kit Team:

Olivia Matise

Mid-Atlantic Pollinator Conservation Specialist
NRCS Partner Biologist

Kass Urban-Mead

NRCS Partner Biologist
Mid-Atlantic

Kelly Gill

Senior Pollinator Conservation
Specialist NRCS Partner 
Biologist East Region

Community-Building Opportunities

• Mighty Networks (coming soon)

Social Media
When posting about the Xerces Society Habitat Kit Program, you can help us spread the word about invertebrate and habitat conservation by including context about Xerces’ mission and our habitat kit program for any of your followers who don’t already know. Need some talking points? Click here for some key information to share about the Xerces Society Habitat Kit Program.

Please tag us in your posts so we can see your progress! Here are links to our social media pages:

• Facebook 
• Instagram (@xercessociety)
• LinkedIn
• Bluesky (@xercessociety.bsky.social‬)