Washington Bumble Bee Habitat Kit Program

Habitat Kits are designed to create or enhance pollinator habitats on public lands, tribal lands, community spaces, private lands, and working lands. Eligible sites include natural areas, community gardens, city parks, school gardens, residential spaces, rural and urban farms, ranches, and other private and public areas. 

Stewards of working lands are encouraged to partner with organizations that can provide technical support for their projects, such as Conservation Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), or other conservation groups.

If you have questions about your project’s suitability or requests for technical guidance on your project, please email us at washingtonhabitatkits@xerces.org.

We have kits available for areas within the eastern foothills of the Cascades in Washington. Explore the map below to see if your project is within one of the habitat kit regions.

If your project is not eligible for the Washington Habitat Kit Program this year or if you missed the 2025 open proposal period and you would like to stay informed about future opportunities, please fill out this Interest Form.

We have two types of habitat kits available and the contents of each kit type vary by project type. All kits are comprised of native plants that have been identified as having high value to bumble bees and other pollinators and are grown without the use of systemic pesticides that may be harmful to pollinators. You may request multiple kits if needed for your project.

Hedgerow Kits
This kit type contains approximately 42 herbaceous and woody plants including milkweed, flowering forbs, and shrubs/ small trees. Each kit will cover approximately 670 ft2 planted on 6 ft spacing for shrubs and 3 ft spacing for forbs. Container sizes range from plug size to 3.5 inch containers. Additional kits can be requested for larger projects.

• Washington Hedgerow Habitat Kit Plant List
   

Garden Kits
This kit type contains approximately 33 herbaceous and woody plants including milkweed, flowering forbs, shrubs, and some grasses. Each kit will cover approximately 430 ft2 when planted on 6 ft spacing for shrubs and 3 ft spacing for forbs. Container sizes range from plug size to 3.5 inch containers. Additional kits can be requested for larger projects. 

• Washington Garden Habitat Kit Plant List

Proposals
The Project Proposal Form collects information about where the kit will be planted, size of the area, and plans for site preparation, management, and maintenance, as well as plans for pesticide risk mitigation and outreach opportunities, if applicable. 

A limited number of habitat kits are available and we receive more requests than we can fulfill. Participants are selected based on the project information set out in proposals as well as considerations such as location and habitat implementation and management plans.

The 2025 proposal period is closed.

Distribution
Kits will be available for pick-up in October. You will be provided with habitat kit pick-up days and locations if/when your proposal is awarded a kit(s). There will be a range of dates (usually around 2 days) and times when the kits will be available for pick-up.

Participation Requirements: Plant Pick-Up, Planting, Maintenance, Reporting
If awarded a kit, participants will receive a project partner collaborative agreement that outlines all requirements, and they must sign and agree to the terms, including:
 

1. Picking up Plants: Participants are required to pick up habitat kit plants in October, at a location that will be provided when kits are awarded.
2. Planting: You are required to plant the kit within one to two weeks after receiving the kit, and to follow the plan outlined in your proposal.
3. Planting Notification: After planting the kit, you must complete a short online form by November 30, 2025, to let us know the kit is planted, and share some photos.
4. Final Report: A brief online report is due the following June which should include information such as the establishment success of the project. 
    

• Washington Habitat Kit Planting Guide
• Persistent Herbicide Restrictions
• Restricciones Persistentes de Herbicidas
• Xerces Pollinator Conservation Resource Center

Who should I contact if I have questions?
You can contact us at washingtonhabitatkits@xerces.org with any questions about our Washington Habitat Kit Program.

How do I participate in the Habitat Kit Program?
Project proposals for Washington Bumble Bee and Pollinator Habitat Kits will be available each year in February/March. The form asks for information about where the kit will be planted, size of the area, and plans for site preparation, management, and maintenance, as well as plans for pesticide risk mitigation and outreach opportunities, if applicable.

Can previous habitat kit recipients submit a proposal to participate in the program again?
Yes, former recipients are welcome to submit a proposal to participate in the habitat kit program again. 

When will I be notified if my project has been selected to receive a kit(s)?
Selected project partners will be notified by email between early to mid-May. 

Can I have the kit delivered to me?
Kit delivery is not available. You must pick up your kit from a central kit distribution location (likely near Wenatchee, WA) in October 2025 (location, date, and time TBD).

How did you decide what plants to include in the kits?
The plant species included in the kits have been chosen based on bumble bee visitation observations compiled from the Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas, as well as butterfly host plant and other native bee plant associations gathered from numerous sources, including published and technical reports, research datasets, and personal communications with bee and butterfly researchers, and other experts. Visitation data provides good general guidance on which plants are preferred by bumble bees. Additional factors, such as availability, climate adaptiveness, regional and site suitability, and general pollinator attractiveness were also taken into consideration. We also include important host and nectar plants for other declining pollinators whenever possible. All plant species in the habitat kits are native to Washington.

I would like to create a pollinator garden at a school (or other public place). Which kit type should I choose?
The Garden Kits are most appropriate for creating a small pollinator garden because they are smaller kits and have a diversity of herbaceous plants and small shrubs. The Hedgerow Kits are more suitable for larger project spaces, and may be too large for a small pollinator garden.

I am receiving funds for my project through an NRCS Farm Bill Program. Can I still participate in the Habitat Kit program?
Yes, you may be able to leverage other funding sources and participate in the program. However, you must check in with your NRCS contact to make sure you are still fulfilling your contractual obligations.

Are habitat kits organic?
Habitat kits are not certified organic, but are grown without the use of harmful pesticides.

Can I purchase a kit on my own?
The kits are not available for sale. The Xerces Society has a wealth of resources available at no cost on our website through the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center, which can help you in your efforts to create pollinator habitat.

Can I get technical assistance for creating and maintaining my kit?
Yes! We are happy to help. You may contact us at washingtonhabitatkits@xerces.org with questions about your project and for advice on how to ensure that your project will be successful. You can also find a variety of information and materials on our website, particularly in the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center.
If you are interested in planting a kit on working lands, you may also want to seek technical assistance from your local Conservation District or the NRCS.

I do not live in Washington. Am I eligible for a kit?
While this particular habitat kit program is only available in Washington, we do have habitat kit programs in other regions.

How can I support the Xerces Habitat Kit program?
Washington Habitat Kits are supported by the U.S. Forest Service and Xerces Society donors and members.
Support the Xerces Society
 

Meet our Washington Habitat Kit Team:

Angela Orpet
Pollinator Conservation Specialist
Food Systems and Living Farms Project
Inland Northwest

Michele Blackburn
Endangered Species Conservation Biologist

Michael Trier
Inland Northwest Pollinator Habitat Specialist

If you have questions, please email us at washingtonhabitatkits@xerces.org.