Wisconsin Pollinator Habitat Kits

Qualifying Projects
Kits can be used by Wisconsin farmers or community food initiatives to create or enhance pollinator habitat on working lands or in community spaces. Please note that Habitat Kits are not available for residential gardens. 

Projects can vary in size from 400 square feet up to 2 acres. It is recommended that projects larger than 2,000 square feet use seed instead of plugs.

Locations
Farmers and community food initiatives must be located in the state of Wisconsin.

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 until funding has been exhausted.
We estimate that the proposal form will take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Please have a picture, diagram, or map of your proposed planting area available to reference as you fill out your form. 

Here's what the proposal form will ask you about:

• Your name, contact information, and location
• Background information about your farm or community food initiative.
• Background information about your proposed planting site:
  • Size
  • Location
  • Map / photo(s) / diagram(s)
  • Protection from pesticide exposure
  • Proposed site preparation & planting timeline
• Program logistics:
  • Agreement to submit a Planting Notification Form when the project is complete
  • Acknowledgement

Strong proposals will clearly define the applicant's ties to food and/or agriculture and demonstrate that the applicant has put some thought into their site location and planting preparation. 
 

Submit a Proposal

Native Plant Plug Kit

Native Plant Plug Kit

These kits will include trays of native plants growing in small pots called 'plugs.' Plug-based kits can be used in sites that are small (less than 2,000 square feet), sites that need to establish quickly, or sites that are highly visible and require a more manicured appearance.

 

Sample Plant List (Dry-Mesic Site)

 

Native Prairie Seed Kit

Native Prairie Seed Kit

These kits will include bags of pre-mixed seeds that will usually need to be added to a carrier substrate before applying. Seed-based kits can be used in sites that are large (greater than 2,000 square feet). Seeded projects are less labor-intensive to install but take longer to establish and usually require some mowing in the first year or two.

 

Sample Seed Mix (Wet-Mesic Site) - Coming Soon!

 

Note: Plant species are subject to change based on individual site conditions as well as nursery inventory. Xerces staff will work with project partners to develop a mix of species that works for their site and communicate any species substitutions or other changes to the kits before kit distribution, with as much advanced notice as possible.

Kits will be available for direct delivery in 2026. More details regarding habitat kit distribution will become available if your proposal is awarded a kit.

Tips for Receiving Your Kit

• Xerces staff will notify you of your kit's anticipated delivery window so that you can be available.
• When you receive your kit, retrieve it as soon as possible and store it as appropriate until you are ready to plant. 
  • Plugs should be removed from their boxes and watered immediately, then stored somewhere outdoors and out of direct sunlight (under a tree or shade structure, for example). 
  • Seeds should be stored somewhere cool, dry, out of direct sunlight, and away from creatures that may want to nibble through the bag and eat the seeds (like mice).

Note: You must sign and submit a Project Partner Collaborative Agreement before you can receive your kit(s).

Reporting is critical to the work that Xerces does, and we cannot count the results of your planting if you do not complete the required reporting. The information provided by 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
This report confirms the planting at your project site with photo proof. 
Please submit your Planting Notification Form as soon as possible after planting.

If awarded a kit, you will receive a Project Partner Collaborative Agreement that outlines all specific reporting requirements.

Site Preparation

• Reducing weed pressure at your site is the most important step in installing your Habitat Kit! To set yourself up for success, choose your site location carefully, be aware of the plants that are already present at the site, and have a plan in place for how to address any aggressive species that could out-compete your native plants. Be aware that for some sites, getting weed pressure under control can take several seasons, especially if noxious weed species are present. Xerces staff are available to visit your site with you to help develop a site preparation plan for your Habitat Kit - contact kathryn.prince@xerces.org. 

Organic Site Preparation for Wildflower Establishment

Organic Site Preparation Overview 
 

Planting

Plugs

• Apply mulch. For most plug plantings, using mulch is highly recommended! Mulch serves as both a barrier for weeds and as a way to retain moisture as your plants establish. Previous plantings that have used a 3" layer of wood chip mulch have had the best success with weed suppression. You can apply mulch first and then plant directly into the mulch by gently scraping mulch back from each planting hole and then replacing it once the plant is in the ground. Avoid mixing soil and mulch together, since this can cause weeds to grow on top of the mulch layer. 
• Coordinate volunteers and tools. Planting plugs goes much faster with a crew! Plan for your planting day by assembling the necessary tools and people. Planting plugs works best with tools designed for digging small holes such as garden trowels, soil knives, and/or drill augers. One tray of 36 plants may take one person about an hour to plant, so plan your time accordingly. 
• Water your plugs before planting them. Watering right before planting helps prevent plugs from drying out and also makes them easier to slide out of their pots. 
• Space plugs out. Plugs should be planted on 12" to 18" centers, depending upon what you and Xerces staff have discussed prior to receiving your kit. Plugs should be planted 12" to 18" away from the edges of your planting area to avoid mature plants flopping over into paths. 
• Water your plugs again after planting them. Unless rain is in the immediate forecast, give your plugs one more good watering after you plant them to set them up for success. 

Creating Perennial Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Habitat Using Plugs
 

Seeds

• Use a substrate (also called a 'carrier' or a 'filler'). There are lots of different options, such as cracked corn, cat litter, sawdust, rice hulls, etc. You can even use grain seeds that will become a nurse crop in spring (such as winter wheat or oats). Nurse crops germinate early to out-compete weeds in the spring and then disappear. The substrate should be included at a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 substrate:seed by volume and mixed together thoroughly.
• Know your target seeding rate. Your seed mix will come with a target rate of seeds to plant per square foot. If you are seeding with equipment,  Xerces recommends testing your seeding equipment over a tarp first. This allows you to ensure the substrate is properly mixed with your seed and to adjust your seeding rate and speed of application as necessary. 
• Seed at a low rate and make multiple passes to ensure even coverage. You can also divide your seed in half and seed the first half in one direction, then rotate 90° and seed the entire area again with the other half of your seed mix doing perpendicular passes.

Upper Midwest Habitat Installation Guide
Interseeding Wildflowers to Diversify Grasslands for Pollinators
 

Maintenance

• Monitor for Weeds. In the first year, watch closely for weed pressure. As your plants are establishing, you will likely need to weed your planting. In plug plantings, this may involve hand-pulling. In seeded plantings, this may involve high-mowing multiple times over the growing season to prevent weed seeds from setting. You can consult with Xerces staff if you are unsure how best to handle your planting's weeds. 
• Irrigation. Plug kits may require supplemental irrigation for several weeks after planting, depending on weather conditions. You may need to water frequently during the first week or two,  then taper back as the plants establish. Monitor your plants for signs of heat/drought stress and water as necessary. In most cases, irrigation is not recommended for seed kits, as it is not necessary for establishment and increases the likelihood of weeds. 

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 - Wisconsin Habitat Kits

• What Makes a Successful Habitat Kit Proposal & Planting?
• Wisconsin Habitat Kit Case Studies

Additional Information - Preparing and Planting Your Site

• Organic Site Preparation for Wildflower Establishment
• Organic Site Preparation Overview 
• Upper Midwest Habitat Installation Guide
• Creating Perennial Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Habitat Using Plugs
   

Wisconsin Habitat Kit Case Studies

Plug kits (large, medium, and small) in their first year of establishment. Photos: Yellow Dog Flowers; Merrill Community Sharing Garden; Madison Extension.

Who should I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions about the Wisconsin Pollinator Habitat Kit program, you can contact Kathryn Prince at kathryn.prince@xerces.org.

How do I participate in the Habitat Kit program?
To begin the proposal process, first complete the online proposal form. Proposals should be received at least 3 months before your expected planting date. 

If I am selected, how do I get my kit?
Kit awardees will coordinate with Xerces staff on the timely delivery or pick-up of their kits. In 2026, we anticipate that most kits will be mailed directly to participants from the nursery.

What is required of participants?
Participants are required to do the hard work of site preparation, planting, and post-planting stewardship. In addition, participants must confirm that their plugs or seeds have been planted and provide follow-up information on how the planting went by filling out a Planting Notification Form after the planting is complete. Applicants who are selected for the program will receive a Project Partner Collaborative Agreement that outlines all requirements prior to receiving their kit.

Which plants are in the kits?
Plant lists will be designed for each plug or seed project based on the site's region, soil, and sun conditions. You can view sample species lists in the "Available Kits" tab above.

How do you decide which plants to include in the kits?
Plants are selected for two key reasons: 1) their native range includes a majority of Wisconsin counties or they are native to the county a kit project site is located in; and 2) they provide optimal foraging and/or nesting resources for native pollinators and beneficial insects. 

How much space do I need for a kit?
Habitat kit projects can range in size from 400 square feet to 2 acres. We recommend that projects larger than 2,000 square feet use seed. 

How long does it take to plant a kit?
Plugs: It may take 1 person about 1 hour per tray of 36 plant plugs.
Seeds: If you are hand-seeding it may take 1 person about 1 hour per 5,000 square feet.

Can I get technical assistance for maintaining my kit after it has been planted?
Yes! We are happy to help. Each kit will arrive with a planting plan and care guide. You may contact  kathryn.prince@xerces.org with questions about your project and for additional guidance on how to ensure that your project will be successful. You can also find a variety of planting and site maintenance information on our website.

I am not a farmer nor part of a community food initiative. Can I still request a kit or purchase one?
No. The Wisconsin Habitat Kit program is designed to support beneficial insect habitat on farms and working lands.
If you are not eligible, we encourage you to contact your county’s land and water conservation department or local conservation initiative to see if they organize a spring native plant sale. Many native plant nurseries also have ready-to-plant pollinator or rain garden kits available.

I do not live in Wisconsin. Am I eligible for a kit?
Unfortunately, we can only provide kits to people who will be planting them in Wisconsin. Visit our other Xerces Society Habitat Kit Program webpages to see if there is an active program that covers your community.

How can I support the Xerces Habitat Kit program?
The Habitat Kits are possible thanks in part to the generosity of Xerces Society donors and members. Visit our donation page to find out how you can support the Xerces Society.
 

Contact Kathryn Prince, kathryn.prince@xerces.org, with any questions about The Wisconsin Pollinator Habitat Kit Program.

Meet our Wisconsin Habitat Kit Program Team

Kathryn Prince

Pollinator Conservation Specialist

Community-Building Opportunities

• Xerces has several community science opportunities
• Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade
• Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative
• 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)