Pollinators for Texas Initiative

Pollinators for Texas Initiative is sponsored by Texas Master Naturalist Program (in partnership with H-E-B). This initiative expands pollinator habitat across Texas by funding chapter-led projects to create native plant habitats, install pollinator-friendly landscapes, and develop educational resources.

Pollinators for Texas Initiative - Texas Master Naturalist Program Skip to primary navigation Pollination is a critical ecosystem service that helps to maintain the ecological integrity of native plant communities. Native pollinators—bees, butterflies, moths, bats and birds—play a critical role in sustaining ecosystems and provide essential services to American agriculture ( estimated at as much as $9 billion annually ).

Interest in conservation of native pollinators has grown rapidly over the last few years as several species have experienced dramatic population declines. Project Details: Texas Master Naturalist Chapters are invited to apply for Pollinators for Texas project funding, generously sponsored by H-E-B, with the goal of making large-scale impacts for native pollinator conservation.

This could include developing and expanding on-the-ground conservation and habitat projects, in addition to influential outreach programs focused on native pollinators and their habitats. Projects must follow Texas Master Naturalist service guidelines.

The goal of the Pollinators for Texas initiative is to leverage funds provided from H-E-B, in partnership with Texas Master Naturalist chapters and volunteers, to generate a measurable positive impact on native pollinators and their habitats across the state of Texas while enhancing the communities in which H-E-B’s employees and customers live, work, and recreate.

To date, through the Pollinators for Texas initiative, 33 projects have been funded to help with native pollinator conservation efforts! Awarded Chapter Project Sites: Explore the locations of our 2024 and 2025 Pollinators for Texas awarded chapter projects by referring to the interactive map. To learn more about each project, visit the 2024 and 2025 project pages.

2026 Project Award Amount: Variable funding up to $4,000 for projects Funder: The Texas Master Naturalist Program in partnership with H-E-B Who is Eligible: Texas Master Naturalist Chapters Application Submission Period: April 1 – June 1, 2026 Project Completion Deadline: Projects should have measurable impacts (i.e. plants, acres, hours, people reached, etc.) by July 6, 2027 , with all funding spent by this date.

Please note in your application if your project will not be completed by this time. Project Reporting: A mid-year check-in and full final report form will be sent to all Chapter award recipients to complete. The mid-year project progress check-in will be due January 30, 2027 .

All project final reports are due to the Texas Master Naturalist Program state office no later than July 26, 2027 . A statewide impact report will be compiled using this information in early August. Application Materials: Applicants must complete the online application form in its entirety for their application to be marked as submitted and eligible for consideration.

To work on your application prior to submission, we recommend that you download a copy of the application in Word document form and fill it out separately. Please note that progress made on the online application form will not be saved. We have created several resources for applicants to use during the application process.

An application checklist, templates, and W-9 form can be found on our Resources and FAQs page . It is highly recommended to visit this page to review the information and webinars provided prior to submitting an application. Eligibility: Only Texas Master Naturalist Chapters are eligible to apply to receive funding.

Projects submitted must first be coordinated with and approved by your chapter’s board locally. VMS: All Texas Master Naturalist volunteer service hours completed in connection with Pollinators for Texas projects must be logged as required in VMS within 45 days of service. Hours contributed to the project in May and June must be logged by June 30th to meet project impact report deadlines.

Application for project funding must be received via the online application form within the designated application period to be considered for the relevant project cycle. All projects submitted must first be approved by the chapter board. Chapters may submit multiple projects; however, only one may be awarded to each chapter, depending on project scoring and available resources.

Priority will be given to pollinator habitat projects; however, educational initiatives will also be considered. Habitat project sites must be located on publicly accessible property. Priority will be given to projects proposing large scale or regional pollinator focused projects not normally accessible to chapters without these funds.

Neighboring Texas Master Naturalist Chapters may consider working jointly on these landscape level projects in a region. Priority will be given to projects engaging with and involving local communities. Pollinators for Texas funds cannot be used to support funding for advertising, individuals, transportation, political events or fundraisers of any kind.

All applicants must provide a long-term maintenance and care plan for their project. Funding from the project may be spent on irrigation/care as needed. Project budgets will be reviewed with impacts prioritized.

All applicants must submit a detailed budget. All applicants must submit a native pollinator list of species they plan to target in their habitat and/or educational initiatives. Awarded chapters will receive one Pollinators for Texas yard sign as recognition of their accomplishment during the annual meeting.

All selected projects must fill out a post-project report detailing the final impact of the project. Projects are to be completed by July 6, 2027 . Previous Pollinators for Texas chapter awardees must submit either (a) a new phase of their awarded projects or (b) a new project separate from their previously awarded project.

Chapters may NOT submit the same application from previous years. 2026 Application Review Webinar To help as you compile your 2026 Pollinators for Texas project awards application, we hosted a webinar review session on Wednesday, April 15th. This provided an overview of the application process, suggestions for compiling a strong application package, and the opportunity for interested applicants to ask questions.

The recording of this year’s webinar is below for your reference. 2024-2025 Project Awards Annual Report : We are excited to announce the compilation of the 2024-2025 Project Awards Annual Report, highlighting the accomplishments and impact of our 16 inaugural Pollinators for Texas chapter projects.

Awarded chapters were able to leverage resources generously provided through the support of H-E-B towards the restoration and creation of pollinator habitat across Texas. Overall impacts in the 24-25 Project Year included 257,876 square feet of area enhanced and 4,391 plants installed through over 5,964 hours of work from 676 volunteers! 2024 Project Awards Highlight Video Have questions?

Email us at TMNPollinatorsforTexas@ag. tamu. edu or visit our Resources and FAQs Page