Who should I contact if I have questions?
You can contact our Southern California Habitat Specialist, Giovanni, at [email protected] with any questions about our California residential habitat kit program.
How do I participate in the California Residential Habitat Kit Program?
Project proposals will open every June for all Southern California residents. 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.
We have a webinar with more information and tips on filling out the project proposal form.
Can I have the kit delivered to me?
We do not have the capacity to deliver kits to our project partners. If selected to receive a kit, partners must pick up their kit from one of our kit distribution locations.
Can I get more than 1 habitat kit?
Yes! In your project proposal, please select how many kits you would like to incorporate into your project. Take into consideration how much space you have on your property and ensure you can manage planting all the plants in the kit within a reasonable timeframe. While we would be happy to provide everyone with their desired number of kits, we will prioritize providing kits for as many qualifying projects as possible. If there are kits remaining, we will try our best to assign multiple kits to those who have requested on their proposal forms.
How did you decide what plants to include in the kits?
The plant species included in the kits have been chosen based on monarch nectaring observations compiled from numerous sources, including published and technical reports, research datasets, and personal communications with monarch researchers, botanists, and other experts. Visitation data provides good general guidance on which plants are preferred by monarchs. 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 California.
I would like to create a pollinator garden at a school (or other public place). Can I apply to the residential kit program?
Yes! We designed the residential habitat kit to work for both residential properties and small school gardens or public spaces. This kit includes 18 individual plants. If you feel that your non-residential project could accommodate more plants, we encourage you to look at the “Garden Kits” under the California Habitat Kit Program.
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?
While you cannot purchase the kits Xerces created, you are welcome to use our plant list to source plants from local nurseries on your own!
Can I get technical assistance for creating and maintaining my kit?
Yes! We are happy to help. You may contact our Southern California Habitat Specialist, Giovanni, at [email protected], with questions about your project and for advice on how to ensure that your project will be successful.
We have created a planting guide for our California habitat kits. You can also find a variety of information and materials on our website, particularly in the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center.
I do not live in California. Am I eligible for a kit?
While this particular habitat kit program is only for Southern Californians, we do have habitat kit programs in other regions.
How can I support the Xerces Habitat Kit program?
The habitat kits are possible thanks to the generosity of Xerces Society donors and members.
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