In response to concerning declines in a number of bumble bee species, the Xerces Society, in partnership with the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, has developed a statewide strategy to conserve these essential pollinators in Washington. The strategy identifies priority management areas where targeted conservation actions can increase the amount of habitat available to at-risk bumble bees, with the potential to benefit the highest number of these species.
To this end, the Xerces Society is offering habitat kits that contain native pollinator-friendly plants at no cost to a diversity of community partners in eastern Washington. This unique program offers carefully selected, native, and regionally appropriate plants directly to our partners for shovel-ready projects aimed at providing habitat for at-risk bumble bees and other pollinators in Washington. Project partners interested in receiving kits provide the time, labor, and land to develop habitats that support bumble bees and other pollinators.
The window for submitting a project proposal form for the 2024 Washington Habitat Kit Program is closed. The proposal period will open again in late February and close in mid-April 2025. Alternatively, if the submission period is closed, you may share your contact info with us to receive habitat kit program updates.
Qualifying Projects
Habitat Kits are intended to be used to create or enhance pollinator habitat on public lands, tribal lands, community spaces, private lands, and working lands. This includes tribal land, post-wildfire recovery areas, urban farms or gardens, city parks, school gardens or other public areas, residential spaces, as well as farms and ranches. We encourage projects that will benefit historically underserved or underrepresented communities.
We encourage stewards of working lands to partner with organizations or entities that can provide additional technical support for their projects, such as Conservation Districts, The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), or other conservation organizations.
If you have questions about your project’s suitability or requests for technical guidance on your project, please email us at [email protected].
Qualifying Locations
We have kits available for areas within the eastern foothills of the Cascades in Washington. Explore the Washington Habitat Kit Map to see if your project is within one of the habitat kit regions.
In 2025 and beyond, we plan to expand the scope of the Washington Habitat Kits. Check back soon to see if kits will be available in your region in the future. If you DO NOT qualify for the Washington Habitat Kit Program this year and you would like to stay informed about future opportunities, please fill out this Interest Form. If you meet the requirements this year and would like to submit a proposal form, please use the link below.
Available Kits
We have several types of habitat kits available and the contents of each kit type vary by project type. Some kit types are only available for certain projects because we want to work with local plant producers and use local plant ecotypes in our habitat kits as much as possible.
All kits are comprised of native plants that have been identified as having high value to bumble bees and other pollinators and are grown without the use of systemic pesticides that may be harmful to pollinators. You may request multiple kits if needed for your project.
Hedgerow Kits
This kit type contains approximately 80 herbaceous and woody plants including milkweed, flowering forbs, and shrubs/ small trees. Each kit will cover approximately 240 linear ft. / 1440 ft2 if planted on 6 ft. spacing. Minimum order of 1 kit / project. Additional kits can be requested for larger projects.
Garden Kits
This kit type contains approximately 39 herbaceous and woody plants including milkweed, flowering forbs, shrubs, and some grasses. Each kit will cover approximately 630 ft2 when planted on 3-6 ft spacing. Container sizes range from plug size to 1 gal. Minimum order of 1 kit/ project. Additional kits can be requested for larger projects.
More information to download
Participation Process
Proposals
We will be accepting proposals for 2025 beginning in February 2025.
The Project Proposal Form collects 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. A limited number of habitat kits are available and we receive more requests than we can fulfill. Participants are selected based on the project information set out in proposals as well as considerations such as location and habitat implementation and management plans.
Distribution
Kits will be available for pick-up in October. You will be provided with habitat kit pick-up days and locations if/when your proposal is awarded a kit(s). There will be a range of dates (usually around 2 days) and times when the kits will be available for pick-up. All kits will be available for pick-up at Derby Canyon Natives.
Planting, Maintenance, Reporting
You are required to plant the kit within one to two weeks after receiving the kit, and to follow the plan outlined in your proposal. Once the kit is planted, you must contact us to let us know the kit is planted, and share some photos. A brief report (~1–2 pages) is due the following June which should include information such as the amount of area planted and the establishment success of the project. If awarded a kit, you will receive a project partner collaborative agreement that outlines all requirements.
Meet our Washington Habitat Kit Team:
Pollinator Conservation Specialist Food Systems and Living Farms Project Inland Northwest | 
Endangered Species Conservation Biologist
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I contact if I have questions?
You can contact us at [email protected] with any questions about our Washington Habitat Kit Program.
How do I participate in the Habitat Kit Program?
Project proposals for Washington Bumble Bee and Pollinator Habitat Kits will be available each year in early spring. 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.
Can I have the kit delivered to me?
Kit delivery is not available. You must pick up your kit from our kit distribution location (Derby Canyon Natives, Peshastin, WA) in October 2024 (date and time TBD).
How did you decide what plants to include in the kits?
The plant species included in the kits have been chosen based on bumble bee visitation observations compiled from the Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas, as well as butterfly host plant and other native bee plant associations gathered from numerous sources, including published and technical reports, research datasets, and personal communications with bee and butterfly researchers, and other experts. Visitation data provides good general guidance on which plants are preferred by bumble bees. 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 Washington.
I would like to create a pollinator garden at a school (or other public place). Which kit type should I choose?
The Garden Kits are most appropriate for creating a small pollinator garden because they are smaller kits and have a diversity of plants. The Hedgerow Kits are too large for a small pollinator garden.
I am receiving funds for my project through an NRCS Farm Bill Program. Can I still participate in the Habitat Kit program?
Yes, you may be able to leverage other funding sources and participate in the program. However, you must check in with your NRCS contact to make sure you are still fulfilling your contractual obligations.
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?
The kits are not available for sale.
Can I get technical assistance for creating and maintaining my kit?
Yes! We are happy to help. You may contact us at [email protected] with questions about your project and for advice on how to ensure that your project will be successful. You can also find a variety of information and materials on our website, particularly in the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center.
If you are interested in planting a kit on working lands, you may also want to seek technical assistance from your local Conservation District or the NRCS.
I do not live in Washington. Am I eligible for a kit?
While this particular habitat kit program is only available in Washington, we do have habitat kit programs in other regions.
How can I support the Xerces Habitat Kit program?
Washington habitat kits are supported by the U.S. Forest Service and Xerces Society donors and members.
