Oklahoma Wildlife Habitat Grant Program

Oklahoma Wildlife Habitat Grant Program is sponsored by Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and Oklahoma Monarch Society. This program provides voluntary, incentive-based payments to reimburse participants in Grady, Logan, Oklahoma, or Tulsa counties of Oklahoma for native plant purchases used in creating new wildlife habitat benefiting insects and birds.

The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program is an initiative of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation District, Oklahoma Conservation Commission and Oklahoma Monarch Society. This grant provides a voluntary, incentive-based payment to reimburse participants for native plant purchases used in creating new wildlife habitat benefiting insects and birds.

Two wings up to the Kirkpatrick Foundation, Oklahoma Monarch Society and Oklahoma Native Plant Society for providing funding! _To ensure we can provide the highest level of support, our grant program is offered in a limited number of counties each year based on available funding, staffing, and resources. Eligible counties rotate annually to expand opportunities across Oklahoma.

While your county may not be eligible this year, it may be included in a future grant cycle. _ ### **2026 GRANT TIMELINE** **Application Deadline:** Applications Closed **Awardees Announced:** September 1, 2026 **Habitat Project Completion:** October 31, 2026 **Awards Distributed:** November - December 2026 ### **REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION** Projects must be located in Grady, Logan, Oklahoma or Tulsa County.

Participants must provide a completed W-9 and sign a funding agreement before project commencement. Project area must consist of at least 100 square feet of new wildlife habitat and should address concerns of native wildlife habitat primarily in the form of insect and bird Reimbursement rate is $525 per 100 sq. ft.

, with a minimum project size of 100 sq. ft. Residential projects may range from 100–500 sq.

ft. , while nonprofit, business, or other public space projects may range from 100–1,000 sq. ft.

per project. The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program does not fund projects that rely on seed and will only support projects using potted plants as the primary plant material for establishing new habitat. This is one-time funding per location.

Properties that have received funding in previous years are not eligible to apply again. Project areas must be kept free of all synthetic or potentially harmful pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, and no chemical pesticides or herbicides may be used within habitat areas to ensure a safe environment for pollinators.

Installation of plants must occur in fall 2026 after awards are announced and before October 31. Plants installed outside of these time frames will not be eligible for a financial award. Native plants must be installed at a minimum density of one (1) plant for every two (2) square feet, equivalent to fifty (50) plants per 100 sq.

ft. and consist of: * At least three (3) different native blooming wildflowers for each growing season (Spring, Summer, Fall) per 100 sq. ft.

(totaling nine plants). * At least three (3) native pollinator host plant species per 100 sq. ft.

* At least one (1) native woody species (tree or shrub) per project. * For ideas of native blooming wildflowers check out What to Plant. * For ideas of native trees species check out Native Trees for Oklahoma.

* For ideas of plants that support Oklahoma butterflies check out Host Plants for Common Oklahoma Butterflies. * For garden design examples check out Build a Garden. * Woody shrub recommendations are available from your local native plant vendors.

Examples include buttonbush, leadplant, St. John's wort, northern spicebush, and American beautyberry. Upon completion, selected participants must submit receipts for native plants and other garden related purchases and register their new wildlife habitat with Okies for Monarchs.

### **TIPS FOR A STRONG APPLICATION** * **Show it Off! ** Visibility to the public. * **Shovel Ready:** Installation in already prepared garden * Working with professional associated with the Oklahoma Native Plant Network * Accurate reflection of project size * **Project Feasibility:**Project scope is realistic for the grant timeline.

* **Be Detailed:**Include as much detail as possible in your application. Individually list plants, provide visuals of the dimensions/layout. * **Get Inspired:** See some of the past awardee projects.

### **HOW TO PLAN YOUR GARDEN** * Tips for Planning Your Garden * What to Plant guide organized by bloom period * Where to Buy - local native plant vendors that provide safe, pesticide-free plants * Native Plant Landscapers * Planting requirements and example matrix: ### **FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS** * **Do the plants have to be fully grown upon project completion?

** No, plants to not need to be fully grown, but they must be visible and identifiable. * **Would expanding an existing garden count towards this? ** Yes, expanding existing gardens/habitat does qualify.

* **Do plants purchased prior to signing a funding agreement count towards this project? ** No. Plants must be purchased after signing a funding agreement. * **I planted seeds last fall.

Would those count towards this project? ** No. Only new habitat projects that commence after signing a funding agreement and are completed by October 31, 2026 qualify for this project. * **What is 100 sq.

ft.? **A few example sizes of 100 sq. ft.

would be a canopy tent that is commonly used at farmers markets (10' x 10'), a bathroom with tub/shower or half of a standardized parking spot (10'x20'). * **Is fall too late to start my native pollinator garden? ** No. Warm soil and cooler air temperatures encourage strong root growth, while cooler weather and increased rainfall help reduce transplant stress.

This gives plants time to establish healthy root systems before the next growing season and prepares them for the heat of summer. * **What counties have you served in the past? ** In 2025, we served Canadian, Cleveland and Oklahoma counties.

In, 2026, we served Grady, Logan, Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. ### INFORMATIONAL DOWNLOAD & WEBINAR **Need additional information? Check out our slide deck!

** **Missed the Informational Webinar? Check out the video! ** **Still have questions about the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program?

** Submit you inquiry below. **INQUIRIES REGARDING YOUR COUNTY: Our grant program is offered in a limited number of counties each year based on available funding, staffing, and resources. Eligible counties rotate annually to expand opportunities across Oklahoma.

While your county may not be eligible this year, it may be included in a future grant cycle. **