September, 2026 — The Texas Master Naturalist Program announced 16 chapters from across the state will receive funding to implement community projects benefiting native pollinators, thanks to a generous $80,000 donation from Texas-based grocer, H-E-B.
The awards are part of our ongoing partnership with H-E-B through the Pollinators for Texas Initiative and will support a wide range of chapter projects to enhance conservation efforts for native pollinators. This includes restoring pollinator habitats, educating the public on pollinators’ importance and engaging communities in efforts to protect and sustain these essential species.
To date, the PfT Initiative has supported 49 individually operated pollinator conservation projects; together enhancing over 678,000 square feet of habitat and reaching an estimated 128,000 visitors. By combining H-E-B’s deep reach and resources with the passion and dedication of TMN volunteers, this Initiative is driving impactful, community-centered conservation across the state.
Critical importance of pollinators
The Pollinators for Texas Initiative highlights the crucial role that pollinators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural practices.
“We are grateful for H-E-B’s commitment to this important cause,” said Mary Pearl Meuth, Texas Master Naturalist Program assistant program coordinator. “Thanks to their generous contribution, these chapters can make a meaningful impact for native pollinators throughout Texas, ranging from urban to rural landscapes.”
Each awarded project aligns with the overarching goal of the Pollinators for Texas Initiative, which is to engage local communities in the conservation of pollinators and the habitats they depend on.
The following chapters will receive funding:
Each of these projects reflects the Pollinators for Texas initiatives purpose of protecting and restoring vital native pollinator habitats across the state. By engaging local communities, fostering educational outreach and providing hands-on conservation opportunities, these initiatives will contribute to the long-term health and sustainability of Texas’ pollinator ecosystems. With the support of H-E-B, these TMN chapters will bring awareness to and create positive change for pollinator conservation.
Meuth said that through these chapter-led projects, the Texas Master Naturalist Program hopes to develop an awareness of and create meaningful impacts for the state’s many native pollinators.
2026 Awarded Chapter Projects
Alamo Area Chapter —
Arboretum Pollinator Discovery Garden
The Arboretum Pollinator Discovery Garden will transform 1,275 square feet at the entrance of the 238-acre Arboretum San Antonio into a native pollinator habitat and outdoor learning space. Led by the Alamo Area Chapter and partners, the project will install approximately 250 native plants representing 26 Texas native species, supporting butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, and moths. Features include six planting terraces, water-wise irrigation, educational signage, iNaturalist monitoring, and volunteer stewardship opportunities promoting biodiversity and pollinator conservation.
Balcones Canyonlands Chapter —
Anderson Mill Senior Center Pollinator Garden
The Anderson Mill Senior Center Pollinator Garden transforms an urban space into a vital “refueling station” for native species while enhancing senior well-being. Rooted in Doug Tallamy’s “Nature’s Best Hope,” this highly visible neighborhood project proves that conservation belongs in our own backyards. By implementing ecology-informed habitat design, this garden serves as a neighborhood educational hub. It fosters intergenerational connection and empowers seniors through hands-on stewardship, turning a central urban site into a living blueprint for community-led restoration.
Blackland Prairie Chapter —
Frisco Monarch View Park Native Pollinator Project
This project is transforming an ecologically distressed area by establishing a diverse native pollinator habitat. The project introduces native plants that provide valuable food and resources for monarchs, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while helping restore the local ecosystem and support a broader range of wildlife. Raptors and other wildlife are also using the area, reflecting the growing connections within the local food web. Through interpretive signage and community engagement, the site will serve as a living example of how native plants can restore degraded landscapes, conserve water, support biodiversity, and create healthier ecosystems.
Capital Area Chapter —
SMARC Pollinator Pathway Expansion
This project will expand native pollinator habitat by 9,240 square feet, incorporating both upland habitat and a natural pond planted with flowering aquatic native species to provide additional forage and resources for local pollinators. The project will also reduce invasive grasses and create opportunities to engage local groups through educational events. Together, these efforts will increase habitat and forage for native pollinators while creating a new recreational and educational space for residents and visitors.
Coastal Prairie Chapter —
Enhancing the Wings of Biodiversity
This project aims to increase native pollinator habitat at Cullinan Park in two areas. Increased habitat provides food, shelter, and a larval safe space for native Texas pollinators that are generalist and host specific. Unobtrusive signage enhances habitats providing education about native pollinator habitats. Involvement opportunities for the public allow individuals to become part of Cullinan Park’s conservation and restoration story.
East Texas Chapter —
Buzz and Beyond: Exploring Pollinator Diversity
Native pollinators require more supportive habitats to thrive. Our chapter plans to expand our education program so Texans better connect with the vital fauna that provide essential pollination services. Texas features over 5,500 species of native invertebrate pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, and beetles. In addition to supporting pollinators by providing shelter, nesting sites, and native plants, Texas Master Naturalists must also bring the community into the fold, teach them the importance of our native pollinators, and show them how to help!
El Camino Real Chapter —
Sow & Grow: Milam Seed Library
Sow & Grow: Milam Seed Library opened to the public in January 2025 at the Cameron Public Library, with a free-standing seed library added at the Milam Wildscape later that year. We are excited to expand this project to two additional locations to provide Milam County residents with free access to native seeds and to teach about the importance of pollinators through educational programming. Providing free access to native seeds in various locations allows all Milam County residents the opportunity to support pollinators and create their own natural habitat at home.
Elm Fork Chapter —
Pollinator Rain Garden @ TWU – Denton Health Science Center
This project creates a pollinator friendly, native plant, rain garden incorporated into green stormwater infrastructure on the Texas Woman’s University Denton campus within the master planned Creek Zone near the Health Science Center. The garden demonstrates how to incorporate native pollinator plants into green infrastructure to preserve, conserve and restore natural resources, contribute to improving water quality, and provide productive pollinator habitat. Quarterly education and outreach events teach Texans how they can restore biodiversity for pollinators on private and public lands.
Hays County Chapter —
Trailhead Pollinator & Bird Habitat Project
This project aims to enhance pollinator habitat at four community partner trailhead sites by adding native nectar and host plants, improving soil health, and replacing invasive or drought-damaged vegetation. Community partners will support stewardship and public engagement at each location. Three sites are designated Hays County bird viewing stations that support pollinators, birds, and nature-based recreation. The fourth, at the entrance to Spring Lake Natural Area, will include a pollinator-focused rain garden to reduce erosion and stormwater runoff while supporting biodiversity and environmental education.
Heartwood Chapter —
Heartwood Pollinator and Propagation Station
The Texas Master Naturalist Heartwood Chapter will expand its Heartwood Pollinator, Propagation & Education Station at W.G. Jones State Forest by increasing native pollinator habitat, adding educational features, and enhancing propagation capacity for native plants. The project will support butterflies, moths, native bees, hummingbirds, fireflies, and other beneficial insects while providing hands-on conservation education, volunteer engagement, and community outreach that promotes stewardship of Texas native ecosystems.
Highland Lakes Chapter —
The Science Mill Pollinator Garden
Through the generous funding of the TMN Pollinators for Texas Grant, we will create a pollinator garden in the Science Mill “Science and Art Park” located on the grounds of the museum. The pollinator garden will be installed in what was a food forest project, with three large, irrigated and raised beds already installed. The goal of the museum is to incorporate the pollinator garden into their already active educational programming focus on ecology, biodiversity and conservation. Through the volunteer efforts of the Highland Lakes Chapter and our partners, the pollinator garden will be a thriving hub for pollinators, native plants and learning about nature!
Hill Country Chapter —
Hill Country Arts Foundation Pollinator Gardens
The Hill Country Arts Foundation (HCAF) project aims to form an art-pollinator alliance by incorporating pollinator education on the campus. This initiative will transform the outdoor art gallery sculpture garden area and the Johnson Creek riparian area into living classrooms featuring native plant gardens. Notable elements of this stage of the project include a milkweed garden to feed monarch butterfly caterpillars, a demonstration riparian habitat garden, and a natural dye garden that will help students connect with native pollinator plants while learning how to create textile dyes from them.
Lost Pines Chapter —
Bob Bryant Pollinator Prairie
The Bob Bryant Pollinator Prairie in Bastrop, Texas announces its third year of habitat restoration and public education supported by Pollinators for Texas, transforming three acres into a pollinator-friendly prairie. We continue to focus on reducing invasive Bermuda grass, planting native prairie plants, and looking forward to maintaining the site with prescribed fire and targeted mowing. Biocensus surveys will reflect our progress, while public engagement and educational signage encourages appreciation for prairie ecosystems and pollinator diversity.
Prairie Oaks Chapter —
The Bosque River Nature Center: A Pollinator Haven
The Bosque River Nature Center’s (BRNC) purpose is to enrich our ecosystem by increasing the diversity of pollinators as well as to educate the public about the value of the ecosystem, native plants, pollinators, and the many animals that have become dependent on the BRNC. With the help of H-E-B, we plan to increase the nectar sources for pollinators, improve our pathways, and incorporate signage with QR codes. These improvements will promote visitors to create their own personal pollinator gardens with their additional knowledge and inspiration, thus bringing more pollinators to the area.
Red River Chapter —
Daingerfield State Park Native Pollinator Gardens
The Red River Texas Master Naturalist Chapter, with support from H-E-B through the Pollinators for Texas Initiative, will create native pollinator gardens at the pavilion complex in Daingerfield State Park. Featuring native host and nectar plants, the gardens will provide habitat for pollinators throughout the growing season. This highly visible educational demonstration site will showcase sustainable landscaping practices visitors can replicate at home while promoting pollinator conservation, biodiversity, and the ecological value of native plants to thousands of park visitors each year.
Rio Grande Valley Chapter —
Kindle & Spark – RGV State Parks
The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is home to a unique diversity of resident and migratory pollinators, including insects, birds, moths, and caterpillars. Our project will restore pollinator gardens at four Texas State Parks that have become overgrown or degraded through natural succession, woodland encroachment, or monoculture growth. Using careful habitat management, native plants, and community education, we will improve ecological function, support pollinator conservation, and encourage residents to create pollinator-friendly spaces while promoting the region’s state parks.
About the Texas Master Naturalist Program
Established in 1998 as a partnership between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Master Naturalist Program includes 49 local chapters serving 213 counties and works to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers.
These volunteers provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of Texas’ natural resources and natural areas within their local communities. As of 2024, the TMN Program has trained over 17,400 certified volunteers, impacted more than 260,400 acres of wildlife and native plant habitats, contributed more than 7.5 million hours of service, and reached more than 7.1 million Texas residents of all ages. These volunteer efforts are estimated to be valued at more than $170 million.
About H-E-B
H-E-B, with sales of more than $46 billion, operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 170,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.
View past Pollinators for Texas recipients