Utah Pollinator Habitat Program
The Utah Pollinator Habitat Program grant has CLOSED for the 2026 season and is not accepting late applications. Please follow our social media pages for updates and information and watch for updates on next years' application period which will open on March 1, 2027.
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Welcome to the Utah Pollinator Program. Pollinators play a vital role in our agricultural industry, local economies, and overall health of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, many pollinator populations have experienced drastic declines in recent years. Population loss can be linked to several contributing factors including loss of habitat, changing climate and associated weather patterns, disease and pesticide use.
How To Apply
Habitat Kits and Seed Mixes
2026 Program Timeline
- The Application Period is March 1-April 15 annually.
- The 2026 Application Process and Program Details Webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, starting at 7:00 pm MST.
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Join us for the 2026 Utah Pollinator Habitat Application Process and Program Details Webinar to learn about why the program is in place, how to create a successful application, and answer any questions you may have. Allow for a 30 minute presentation.
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- Awardees for the 2026 program period will be notified via email on June 3, 2026.
- The Awardee Webinar will be presented on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 6:00 pm.
- Annual report due from previous 2023 – 2025 awardees on Friday, August 7, 2026.
- The 2025 Awardee Webinar and Program Updates was held on July 30, 2025.
- The Doug Tallamy and Nature’s Best Hope in Utah webinar (held in March 2024) recording is now available for viewing.
- The Doug Tallamy and Nature’s Best Hope in Utah webinar (held in March 2024) recording is now available for viewing and can help potential awardees look forward to their application period.
About the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program
House Bill (HB) 224 was passed by the Utah legislature in March 2021. It tasked the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) with creation of a three-year pilot program to improve pollinator habitat in Utah. In 2024, the program received funding to temporarily continue the “pilot” program. Under the Utah pollinator pilot program (Utah Code 4-2-701), UDAF implemented one or more of several objectives to increase awareness of and habitat for pollinators, including the provision of grants for residents that cover up to 25 percent of the costs for the planting of pollinator-friendly native plants or seeds in Utah on private or public land.
In 2025, with the support of State Representative, Ashlee Matthews and Senator Evan Vickers, HB 251 was passed by the Utah legislature. This amendment made the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program an official and permanent fixture in Utah. The bill also increased the program’s cost-share from 25 percent to up to 75 percent of expenses related to planting pollinator-friendly native species.
Many pollinator species (bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and others) are in decline worldwide due to a combination of factors including habitat loss and degradation, pesticide use, and changing climate. Pollinators are key to the production of specialty food crops such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and seeds which provide us with essential micronutrients.
The vast majority of pollinator species are wild, including more than 900 species of native bees that call Utah home. Some wild bees are excellent pollinators of Utah’s tree fruits, raspberries, squashes, melons, and cucumbers. These hardworking insects may rarely be noticed but they are key to ecosystem stability and food production.
Utah’s landowners and managers are instrumental in promoting land stewardship practices that enhance the health and diversity of our pollinators while supporting Utah’s specialty crop production. We encourage you to participate in this exciting and rewarding pollinator program.
Utah Pollinator Habitat Program Goals
- Increase the amount of available pollinator habitat throughout Utah
- Enhance and expand existing landscapes to improve resources (pollen and nectar) available for pollinators
- Provide better connectivity between habitats to better support beneficial species
- Increase access and availability of native seed resources across the state
- Increase public awareness and involvement to improve pollinator habitat state-wide
General Information
- Online application submission: March 1 through April 15, 2026
- Awards will only be given to properties owned or managed by applicant
- Projects must be in Utah to qualify
- All categories of applicants will be considered (individuals, non-profits, government agencies, academic institutes, commercial entities, Native American tribes, wildlife preserves, land trusts, etc.)
- Habitat improvement priority areas will include watersheds and habitat corridors that provide connectivity
- Particular emphasis will be on improving habitat for native pollinator and bee populations throughout the state
- Irrigation for plant establishment will be a requirement for project award
- Awarded applicants will receive additional information in August with plants available early Fall for distribution
- Plants are pre-selected and supplied based on your region