Give pollinators a place to land: Utah habitat program now accepting applications

Utah's 2026 Pollinator Habitat Program aims to expand habitat for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators statewide. Applications are open through April 15. Photo: Photo by Kristīne Zāle (Macro Viewpoint)

Statewide effort provides native plants to expand habitat for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Applications are open through April 15 for the 2026 Utah Pollinator Habitat Program, a statewide effort to expand habitat for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators across public and private land.

The program, led by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food in partnership with Utah State University, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides selected applicants with regionally appropriate native plants or seed mixes to establish or improve pollinator habitat. Utah residents, nonprofits, government agencies, tribes, academic institutions, and other land managers are eligible to apply. Projects must be located in Utah on land owned or managed by the applicant.

Utah’s pollinators have faced population declines tied to habitat loss, climate-related shifts in weather, disease, and pesticide use, according to state agriculture officials. The program is designed to increase available habitat, improve pollen and nectar resources, strengthen habitat connectivity and expand access to native seed resources statewide.

Awardees are expected to be notified by email on June 3. Plant materials are expected to be available for distribution in early fall, with additional project details provided to recipients in August. Irrigation for plant establishment is required.

The program launched as a pilot after the Utah Legislature passed HB 224 in 2021. Lawmakers approved HB 251 in 2025, making the program permanent and increasing its cost-share from 25% to up to 75% of eligible planting expenses, according to the department.

Applications and program details are available at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s Utah Pollinator Habitat Program page.