The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) is working in cooperation with 143 soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) to enhance and restore the Monarch butterfly habitat in Texas.

On their annual 2,000-mile migration from Canada to Mexico, the bright black and orange insects depend on nectar-producing vegetation to produce energy. The Monarch caterpillars depend on milkweed as a critical food source.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service have provided grant funds to TSSWCB to assist in enhancing and restoring Monarch butterfly habitat.

The project provides funding to develop conservation plans and plant pollinator-friendly plant species on 1,600 acres of rural Texas lands along the Monarch’s migratory pathway.

The funds made available to farmers, ranchers or private landowners will pay $375 per acre to cover seed cost, planting and maintenance of the land on tracts of land between one and 30 acres.

Entities such as schools or municipalities qualify for funding to develop a Monarch butterfly garden between 100 and 300 square feet.

Since TSSWCB began accepting applications in May 2016, the agency has received 684 applications to enhance and restore Monarch butterfly habitat. Of those applications, 583 were for rural plots of land between one and 30 acres, totaling a request of more than 12,800 acres of habitat enhancement or restoration. The remaining 101 applications were for urban gardens.

The current grant allows for enhancement or restoration of about 1,600 acres and installation of 30 Monarch butterfly gardens.

This summer, TSSWCB began notifying applicants of awards.

Currently, 68 individuals have received or are receiving technical assistance through TSSWCB regional offices or SWCDs. To date, 14 Monarch Habitat Conservation Plans have been completed and certified. Planting began on lands with certified plans on Dec. 1.

If the TSSWCB acquires additional funding for enhancement and restoration of Monarch butterfly habitat, the agency will continue to fund applications in the order that they were received.

To learn more about enhancing and restoring Monarch butterfly habitat in Texas visit, http://www.tsswcb.texas.gov/monarch.