Pollinators for Texas Initiative - Texas Master Naturalist Program

Pollination is a critical ecosystem service that helps to maintain the ecological integrity of native plant communities. Native pollinators—bees, butterflies, moths, bats and birds—play a critical role in sustaining ecosystems and provide essential services to American agriculture (estimated at as much as $9 billion annually). Interest in conservation of native pollinators has grown rapidly over the last few years as several species have experienced dramatic population declines.

Project Details: Texas Master Naturalist Chapters are invited to apply for Pollinators for Texas project funding, generously sponsored by H-E-B, with the goal of making large-scale impacts for native pollinator conservation. This could include developing and expanding on-the-ground conservation and habitat projects, in addition to influential outreach programs focused on native pollinators and their habitats. Projects must follow Texas Master Naturalist service guidelines. The goal of the Pollinators for Texas initiative is to leverage funds provided from H-E-B, in partnership with Texas Master Naturalist chapters and volunteers, to generate a measurable positive impact on native pollinators and their habitats across the state of Texas while enhancing the communities in which H-E-B’s employees and customers live, work, and recreate. To date, through the Pollinators for Texas initiative, 33 projects have been funded to help with native pollinator conservation efforts!

Awarded Chapter Project Sites:

Explore the locations of our 2024 and 2025 Pollinators for Texas awarded chapter projects by referring to the interactive map. To learn more about each project, visit the 2024 and 2025 project pages.

2026 Project Award Amount: Variable funding up to $4,000 for projects

Funder: The Texas Master Naturalist Program in partnership with H-E-B

Who is Eligible: Texas Master Naturalist Chapters

Application Submission Period: April 1 – June 1, 2026

Project Completion Deadline: Projects should have measurable impacts (i.e. plants, acres, hours, people reached, etc.) by July 6, 2027, with all funding spent by this date. Please note in your application if your project will not be completed by this time.

Project Reporting: A mid-year check-in and full final report form will be sent to all Chapter award recipients to complete. The mid-year project progress check-in will be due January 30, 2027. All project final reports are due to the Texas Master Naturalist Program state office no later than July 26, 2027. A statewide impact report will be compiled using this information in early August.

Application Materials: Applicants must complete the online application form in its entirety for their application to be marked as submitted and eligible for consideration. To work on your application prior to submission, we recommend that you download a copy of the application in Word document form and fill it out separately. Please note that progress made on the online application form will not be saved.

We have created several resources for applicants to use during the application process. An application checklist, templates, and W-9 form can be found on our Resources and FAQs page. It is highly recommended to visit this page to review the information and webinars provided prior to submitting an application.

Eligibility: Only Texas Master Naturalist Chapters are eligible to apply to receive funding. Projects submitted must first be coordinated with and approved by your chapter’s board locally.

VMS: All Texas Master Naturalist volunteer service hours completed in connection with Pollinators for Texas projects must be logged as required in VMS within 45 days of service. Hours contributed to the project in May and June must be logged by June 30th to meet project impact report deadlines.

Project Considerations:

Application for project funding must be received via the online application form within the designated application period to be considered for the relevant project cycle.
All projects submitted must first be approved by the chapter board.
Chapters may submit multiple projects; however, only one may be awarded to each chapter, depending on project scoring and available resources.
Priority will be given to pollinator habitat projects; however, educational initiatives will also be considered.
Habitat project sites must be located on publicly accessible property.
Priority will be given to projects proposing large scale or regional pollinator focused projects not normally accessible to chapters without these funds. Neighboring Texas Master Naturalist Chapters may consider working jointly on these landscape level projects in a region.
Priority will be given to projects engaging with and involving local communities.
Pollinators for Texas funds cannot be used to support funding for advertising, individuals, transportation, political events or fundraisers of any kind.
All applicants must provide a long-term maintenance and care plan for their project. Funding from the project may be spent on irrigation/care as needed. Project budgets will be reviewed with impacts prioritized.
All applicants must submit a detailed budget.
All applicants must submit a native pollinator list of species they plan to target in their habitat and/or educational initiatives.
All selected projects must incorporate either physical signage or a social media marketing plan. Guidelines for marketing will be shared with selected projects.
Awarded chapters will receive one Pollinators for Texas yard sign as recognition of their accomplishment during the annual meeting.
All selected projects must fill out a post-project report detailing the final impact of the project. Projects are to be completed by July 6, 2027.
Previous Pollinators for Texas chapter awardees must submit either (a) a new phase of their awarded projects or (b) a new project separate from their previously awarded project. Chapters may NOT submit the same application from previous years.

Online Application

Pollinators for Texas 2026-2027 Project Awards Application

This application is broken into two project categories: Education and Habitat. Select the category that fits your chapter project the best under “project type” to gain access to the appropriate application questions. If you have questions, email TMNPollinatorsforTexas@ag.tamu.edu.

Lead Chapter Name(Required)

Chapter Mailing Address(Required)

Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Applicant Contact Name(Required)

First Last

Contact Email(Required)

Project Details

Project Name

Please provide a name for your project. If awarded, this name will be used for marketing purposes.

This project has been reviewed, and approved by our chapter board to submit for the 2026 application period.(Required)

Project Type(Required)

Project Location(s)(Required)

If possible, please provide the full address for the project location(s).

Project Overview(Required)

Summarize the purpose of this chapter project in no more than 600 characters – (if awarded, this summary will be used in future press releases).

Please list project goals.(Required)

What is the purpose of the project? What goals are expected to come from this project?

How do these goals align with the overall goal of the Pollinators for Texas initiative?(Required)

“The goal of the Pollinators for Texas initiative is to leverage funding from H-E-B, in partnership with Texas Master Naturalist chapters and volunteers, to generate a measurable positive impact on native pollinators and their habitats across Texas while enhancing the communities in which H-E-B employees and customers live, work, and recreate.”

Project Partners(Required)

Please list partners you will be working with to implement this project. Include a description of their roles and resources they are committed to bringing to your project’s success. Though project funding match is not required, please list and describe any partial or full funding match your partners may be bringing to your project. Please also list any partnering chapters that will be assisting in the development/implementation of this project.

Project Timeline(Required)

Please provide an approximate timeline of important dates/milestones related to the project.

Anticipated Challenges(Required)

Are there any anticipated challenges (e.g., site constraints, weather, funding), and how do you plan to address them?

Education Project Details ONLY

Only fill this section out if your project is an EDUCATIONAL-BASED initiative.

Who will benefit from this project? (e.g., students, community members, gardeners, etc.)?

Who are your target audience? Who will benefit from this initiative?

Please list native pollinators that this educational initiative will highlight.

What native pollinator species will be highlighted in this education initiative? What skills/knowledge will participants gain from it? You may provide a target species list at the bottom of the application.

Describe the format of the educational component, — such as workshops, classroom lessons, signage, or community events.

If you currently have drafts of educational material used, please attach at the end of the application.

How will you involve local participants and/or promote awareness?

What are the anticipated impacts on knowledge, behavior, or local ecosystems?

How will you measure success?

(e.g., metrics such as events hosted, people reached, etc.)

How will you ensure this educational project will remain beneficial over time? Is this a long-term initiative? What long-lasting impact could this initiative have on participants?

Habitat Project Details ONLY

Only fill this section out if your project is a HABITAT-BASED initiative.

Site Description: Provide detailed location information.

If applicable, include the total area, whether land is publicly accessible, and current site conditions.

Which native pollinator species will this project support? Which native plants will be included in the habitat to support these pollinators?

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 15 MB.

You may use the template provided and upload it. Please be sure you list out the pollinator species with supporting plant species that you will use listed along them.

List out habitat components

What specific elements will be included to create a cohesive and functional pollinator habitat? Consider aspects such as plant diversity, bloom periods, shelter, shade, and water sources.

How will you involve local participants and/or promote awareness?

How will you ensure the habitat remains beneficial and maintained over time?

Who will be responsible for upkeep and maintenance? How will plant health and pollinator activity be monitored?

Describe how the habitat will benefit pollinators and contribute to biodiversity.

Budget & Funding

How much funding are you requesting through the Pollinators for Texas initiative (up to $4,000)?(Required)

How much, of the $4,000, are you requesting?

Disregarding the funding limit of this award ($4,000), what is the total budget required funding for this project?(Required)

Please share the total amount of funding required to implement the entire project, include previous contributions made.

If full funding is not awarded, how will this impact the project?(Required)

Please upload a project budget.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, Max. file size: 15 MB, Max. files: 2.

You may use the provided template. Provide a detailed breakdown of anticipated expenses, including materials, plants, equipment, or other costs. Clarify what Pollinator for Texas funds will be allocated to.

Recognition & Documentation

What outreach methods will be used to promote this project as part of the Pollinators for Texas initiative?(Required)

Such as social media, press releases, signage, etc.

Social Media Presence: Please provide links to relevant social media pages that will be posting project-related material.(Required)

(Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Online Blog, etc.)

Attachments/Additional Information

Is there any other relevant information about this project you would like to add?

AgriLife Vendor Application (W-9)(Required)

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 15 MB.

Relevant Project Photos