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 habitats and conservation. This could include developing and expanding on the ground conservation and habitat projects and significant outreach programs focused on native pollinators and habitat conservation. Projects must follow Texas Master Naturalist service guidelines, encourage public engagement, and include a care and maintenance plan for post-project longevity. Projects may include installation of high-impact pollinator habitat, interpretative signage or enhancement of current Texas Master Naturalist pollinator projects, public educational programming focused on pollinators or innovative conservation projects focused on native pollinators and their habitats. The goal of this project is to utilize funding from H-E-B to generate a measurable positive impact on native pollinators and their habitats, while improving communities across the state of Texas. To date, through the Pollinators for Texas initiative, 33 projects have been funded to help with native pollinator conservation efforts!
2025 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, 2025
Project Completion Deadline: Projects should have measurable impacts (i.e. plants, acres, hours, people reached, etc.) by July 6, 2026, with all funding spent by this date. Please note in your application if your project will not be complete by this time.
Project Report Deadline: A mid-year and final full report form will be sent to all Chapter award recipients to complete. The mid-year project report will be due in January 30, 2026. All project final reports are due to the Texas Master Naturalist Program state office no later than July 26, 2026. A statewide impact report will be compiled by August 10, 2026.
Application Materials: Applicants must complete the online application form (below) in its entirety for their application to be considered submitted and eligible for consideration. However, we have created several resources for applicants to use during the application process. A downloadable application, 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 resources and webinars provided prior to submitting an application.
Eligibility: All 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 worked in connection with this Pollinators for Texas project must be logged as required in VMS within 45 days. Hours contributed to the project in April and May MUST be logged by June 30, 2026.
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.
- Chapters may submit multiple projects; however, only one may be awarded to each chapter, depending on project scoring and available resources.
- All projects submitted MUST be approved by the chapter board.
- Priority will be given to pollinator habitat projects; however, educational initiatives will be considered.
- 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.
- Priority will be given to publicly accessible projects.
- This Pollinators for Texas project does not 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, 2026.
- 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.
Application
The application period is currently closed
Have questions? Email us at TMNPollinatorsforTexas@ag.tamu.edu or visit our Resources and FAQs Page