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Celebrate Earth Day in Licking County
CREATING & CONNECTING POLLINATOR PLOTS ACROSS LICKING COUNTY
Meadows for Monarchs Project
CREATING & CONNECTING POLLINATOR PLOTS ACROSS LICKING COUNTY
Meadows for Monarchs Project
The Meadows for Monarchs Project helps landowners convert ordinary grass into extraordinary habitat for monarchs and other pollinators.
QUICK LINKS: Training Workshops & Events | FAQs | Case Studies | Additional Resources | Registration
PROJECT PARTNERS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife - Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
The Dawes Arboretum | Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers | Licking County Soil & Water Conservation District | Licking Park District | Licking Land Trust
SMALL PLOTS MAKE A BIG IMPACT
Meadows for Monarchs Project Overview
SMALL PLOTS MAKE A BIG IMPACT
Meadows for Monarchs Project Overview
About the program
The goal of the project is to transform small parcels of little-utilized grassy areas into habitat for monarchs and other pollinators.
After enrolling in the program, participants attend a series of training workshops (see event listing below) to learn how to prepare your site prior to seeding in the fall. Once your plot is prepped, participants gain access to a supply of native seed mix to plant their wildflower meadow for monarchs and other pollinators.
Timeline & Enrollment
Site preparation is a critically important step in the pollinator habitat creation process. Site preparation typically requires several months to complete, depending on the method used. To receive seeds, plots must be properly prepared by late fall of 2025.
SPRING: LEARN | SUMMER: PREP | FALL: SEED
JANUARY: Enrollment opens; Plot Design virtual session with The Dawes Arboretum
FEBRUARY: Site Preparation virtual session with the Dawes Arboretum
MARCH: Meadow Management virtual session with the Dawes Arboretum
MAY: Site Prep Demonstration workshop at Master Gardeners Learning Garden
[solarization plots]
JUNE: Prairie Perspectives expert panel at Licking Park District
JULY: Prairie Tour the Dawes Arboretum
SEPTEMBER: Seeding demonstration & seed mix pickup
OCT-DEC: Fall seed or frost seed your prepared site
Expert Instruction
Expert Instruction
Learn from experts from The Dawes Arboretum, U.S. Fish & Wildlife & Licking Park District
Native Seed Mixes
Native Seed Mixes
Get access to high diversity native plant seed mixes in order to create your wildflower meadow
Community Support
Community Support
Collaborate & connect with others creating meadows and pocket prairies across Licking County
Who can participate
This project is designed for anyone ready to transform a section of underused grassy areas or pasture into thriving pollinator habitat, including:
Property owners with large tracts of grass who are tired of the time and cost involved with weekly mowing.
Parks and recreation teams seeking to enhance biodiversity while reducing lawn care costs.
Conservationists & environmental stewards who want to create high impact habitat for pollinators and the planet.
Schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations looking to save on maintenance costs by transforming unused areas into learning labs and pollinator habitat.
Municipal Service Departments and Grounds Managers interested in converting steep hillsides and underutilized spaces into sustainable habitats.
While anyone can participate in the training programs, the seed mixes are available to residents of Licking County only.
How to participate
In lieu of a registration fee, participants agree to "plant it forward" to support the success and continued expansion of meadows and pocket prairies:
Ways to plant it forward include:
assist other program participants in establishing and maintaining their plots.
share knowledge gained from the program to others in your community through formal and/or informal information sharing and mentoring.
collect and share seeds from your meadow (once it is established) to supply other pocket prairies or community seed libraries.
collect data for community science programs focused on native plants and pollinators.
CREATING MIGRATION CORRIDORS
Why Meadows Matter
CREATING MIGRATION CORRIDORS
Why Meadows Matter
Native wildflower meadows serve as vital stepping stones for monarchs during their annual migration, offering food, shelter, and rest stops along their journey. They also support Ohio bees, birds, and other pollinators, while improving soil health, reducing runoff and making our landscapes more climate resilient. By creating and connecting a network of these microhabitats, we can build a critical migration corridor for monarchs while also adding both beauty and biodiversity to Licking County landscapes.
CONVERT UNDERUTILIZED AREAS INTO POLLINATOR HABITAT
Great Places for Meadows & Pocket Prairies
CONVERT UNDERUTILIZED AREAS INTO POLLINATOR HABITAT
Great Places for Meadows & Pocket Prairies
Transform underutilized areas or challenging landscapes into thriving native wildflower meadows for pollinators while enhancing the landscape’s beauty and functionality.
Native wildflower meadows are ideal for:
Hillsides: Reduce erosion and eliminate the dangers of mowing steep slopes.
Large grassy areas: Transform areas not used for sports, recreation, or other activities.
Wet or poorly drained areas: Native prairie plants can thrive in conditions where conventional grass struggles.
Roadside edges, Utility easements & right-of-ways: Local municipalities can convert into pollinator-friendly corridors.
School grounds: Create living land labs and outdoor education opportunities.
Corporate or industrial campuses: Beautify and green your business’s landscape.
Unused corners of parks or properties – Convert low-traffic areas into high-value habitat.
Former pastures - Transform weedy fields into pollinator plots [Note: Site preparation of pastures may require additional time to ensure weed pressure is properly managed]
Levin Park on Sharon Valley Road in Newark, Ohio
PRAIRIES PAY OFF
Save Pollinators + Save Maintenance Costs
PRAIRIES PAY OFF
Save Pollinators + Save Maintenance Costs
Converting grass to pollinator habitat isn’t just good for monarchs—it can be good for your budget too. Wildflower meadows, once established, require less overall maintenance than traditional lawns. Converting turf grass to native wildflower meadows and pocket prairies eliminates the need for weekly mowing, supplemental fertilizer or irrigation. Additionally, replacing grass with prairie on hillsides eliminates the hazards of mowing difficult or dangerous terrain. This not only saves on labor and maintenance costs, it also has the added benefit of reducing expenditures for gas, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas pollution emitted from lawn equipment.
The City of Newark Parks and Cemetery Department installed pollinator habitat as a way to save on mowing and maintenance costs on grassy areas not otherwise used for recreational purposes, such as this area of Levin Park on Sharon Valley Road.
CASE STUDY: CITY OF NEWARK
Converting grass to meadow saves costs
CASE STUDY: CITY OF NEWARK
Converting grass to meadow saves costs
The City of Newark Parks and Cemetery Department calculated the annual savings of converting five acres of grass into wildflowers and found significant financial, time and environmental benefits over a typical 28-week mowing season. Here's how:
$560 on gas (140 gallons @ $4/gal)
$1,750 in labor costs (70 hours @ $25/hr)
$175 on mower maintenance
Total savings of $2,380 per season for each five acre plot once it is planted—plus 70 hours of staff time to be redirected to other projects. Once established, native wildflower meadows are mowed annually or rotationally burned every 2-3 years.
A Win-Win:
"We are proud of our beautiful Tallgrass Prairie. Not only are we saving mowing costs, but we are also supporting populations of beneficial pollinating insects, butterflies, and birds. We hope to add more acreage to our Tallgrass Prairie in future years."
- Carol Apacki, Village Roots resident
CASE STUDY:
Village Roots Prairie
CASE STUDY:
Village Roots Prairie
The Village Roots neighborhood in Granville transformed 1/3 acre of grass into vibrant tallgrass prairie islands. Adjacent to the T.J. Evans bike path, these four prairie islands burst with life and color throughout the year. Neighborhood residents prepared the land by mowing and killing the existing vegetation before sowing a diverse mix of tall prairie grasses and wildflowers including Indian grass, (Sorghastrum nutans), Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), Wild Bergamot (Mondarda fisulosa, Giant Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus), Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), Indian Blanket, (Gaillardia pulchella), Stiff-leaved Goldenrod (Solidago rigida), and Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris).
Expenses and Savings
Expenses: $470 for seeds
Annual Savings: $840 in reduced mowing costs over a 28-week mowing season
MEADOWS FOR MONARCHS PROJECT
Training Workshops & Events
MEADOWS FOR MONARCHS PROJECT
Training Workshops & Events
SESSION 1
Design your plot
SESSION 1
Design your plot
Learn plot design tips from Peter Lowe, Senior Coordinator of Horticulture Education & Community Impact at The Dawes Arboretum.
Replay passcode: 4.Hx$+1C
SESSION 2
Site Preparation
SESSION 2
Site Preparation
Learn various methods to prep your site prior to seeding from Holly Latteman, Science & Conservation Manager at The Dawes Arboretum
Replay passcode: a*4=GR%3
SESSION 3
Maintain your meadow
SESSION 3
Maintain your meadow
Learn how to manage and maintain your prairie or native meadow once established from Emma Farmer, Ecosystems Manager at The Dawes Arboretum
Replay passcode: auMeX98+
SESSION 4: IN PERSON
Site Prep Demonstration
SESSION 4: IN PERSON
Site Prep Demonstration
MAY 10, 2025
2 session options:
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. OR
12:30 - 1:30p.m.
Master Gardener Volunteers' Learning Garden
771 E. Main Street | Newark
Kickstart your habitat creation with confidence! Learn more about various methodologies used in site preparation —including chemical, mechanical, smothering/layering and solarization— and the tools, equipment and supplies needed for each method. This event is in conjunction with the Master Gardeners Plant Sale & Licking Soil & Water Conservation District's Backyard Conservation Day.
SESSION 5: IN-PERSON
Prairie Perspectives
SESSION 5: IN-PERSON
Prairie Perspectives
JUNE 24, 2025; Time TBD
James Bradley Center | Infirmary Mound Park | 4351 Lancaster Road | Granville
Join program participants for an engaging panel discussion with representatives from Licking Park District, City of Newark, Ohio Native Concepts and MAD Scientists with experience and expertise installing and maintaining wildflower meadows and prairie habitats across Licking County. Learn from their experiences—successes, challenges, and best practices—for establishing thriving prairies. Gain valuable tips and tricks, plus get answers to your questions. Following the discussion, enjoy an optional walking tour of the prairie at Infirmary Mound Park to see habitat restoration in action.
SESSION 6: IN-PERSON
Prairie Tour
SESSION 6: IN-PERSON
Prairie Tour
July 2025; Final date TBD
Red Barn Reserve at The Dawes Arboretum
7087 Davis Drive | Heath
Join restoration specialists at The Dawes Arboretum to explore prairies at various stages of establishment. Compare how habitats look 1 year, 2 years, and many years after planting, and gain valuable insights into their development over time. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the prairie ecosystems firsthand and learn prairie establishment and management best practices.
SESSION 7: IN PERSON
Seed Pickup & Seeding Demo
SESSION 7: IN PERSON
Seed Pickup & Seeding Demo
FALL 2025; Final date TBD
Master Gardener Volunteers' Learning Garden
771 E. Main Street | Newark, Ohio
Participants in the Meadows for Monarchs Project are invited to pick up native seed mixes and see demonstrations of various seeding techniques. Whether you plan to use equipment from the tool library or broadcast the seeds by hand, this session will ensure you are ready to bring your wildflower meadow to life. Note: participants are encouraged to attend virtual training workshops and complete site preparation process prior to picking up seed.
Meadows for Monarchs Project
Frequently Asked Questions
Meadows for Monarchs Project
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should my meadow be as part of this project?
How big should my meadow be as part of this project?
While there is no minimum plot size to participate in the Meadows for Monarchs project, most plots will be between a few hundred square feet and five acres.
If you are interested in creating pollinator habitat on 10 acres or more, you may qualify for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program which conducts site prep and seeding on behalf of property owners. Learn more.
How should I prepare my site prior to seeding?
How should I prepare my site prior to seeding?
Site preparation is arguably the most important step in the meadow establishment process and the goal is to create a clean seed bed. There are several different options to remove existing vegetation prior to seeding including:
Chemical: two or more applications of organic or synthetic herbicide (large or small plots) to kill unwanted vegetation
Mechanical: repeated shallow tilling (large or small plots) OR use of a sod cutter (small plots only) to prepare the soil
Solarization: harnessing heat and sunlight to kill grass and weeds by laying down rubber roofing or plastic for several months (small plots only)
Smothering/Layering: using cardboard, aged woodchips or aged mulch to suppress grass (small plots only)
Each of these techniques has pros and cons and which method is best for you will depend on your plot size, your comfort level using equipment and herbicide, and/or your budget if you decide to hire someone to complete the site preparation process.
Is equipment available through the Meadows for Monarchs Project ?
Is equipment available through the Meadows for Monarchs Project ?
Due to recent federal budget cuts, tools & equipment originally envisioned as a lending library is no longer available. Pollinator Pathway is working to provide a list of tool rental companies and local contractors should you need additional support with preparing your site.
What does the training entail?
What does the training entail?
Our Project includes an educational series to guide you through every step of creating a thriving monarch habitat:
The importance of prairie ecosystems – Understand their critical role in supporting pollinators and biodiversity.
Designing your plot – Learn how to choose the right plants and layout for your space.
Site preparation – Master the most critical step with guidance on the various site-prep methodologies and options including:
Mechanical – Techniques like sod removal or tilling to prepare the soil.
Chemical – Utilizing herbicides to prepare site prior to seeding.
Solarization – Harnessing heat and sunlight to kill grass and weeds.
Smothering – Layering cardboard and mulch to suppress unwanted vegetation.
First-year maintenance – Discover the keys to establishing a healthy meadow.
Long-term care – Learn how to maintain and enhance your pollinator plot for years to come.
Contributing to community science – Share data and insights to support broader conservation efforts.
What fees are associated with the program?
What fees are associated with the program?
There is no registration fee to participate in the program. Prior to borrowing equipment from the tool lending library participants must complete the training workshops and sites must be prepped properly prior to accessing seed mixes.
In lieu of a fee, participants pledge to "plant it forward" to support the success and continued expansion of pocket prairies in Licking County in one or more ways. Examples include:
assist other program participants by providing labor during site prep, seeding or maintenance activities.
share knowledge gained from the program to others in your community through formal and/or informal information sharing and mentoring.
collect and share seeds from your pocket prairie (once it is established) to supply other pocket prairies or community seed libraries.
collect data for community science programs focused on native plants and pollinators.
How do I enroll in the program?
How do I enroll in the program?
Complete our registration form to enroll in the program.
DIG DEEPER INTO MONARCH HABITAT RESTORATION
Additional Resources
DIG DEEPER INTO MONARCH HABITAT RESTORATION
Additional Resources
Monarch Wings Across Ohio Resources
Monarch Wings Across Ohio Resources
Pollinator Partnership offers free resource guides for creating monarch habitat on many different types of sites, including:
OTHER WEBSITE RESOURCES:
Growing Your Prairie: Establishing a Native Plant Community from Seed | Prairie Moon Nursery
Guide to Establishing a Native Seed Mix | Prairie Nursery
Site Preparation & Seeding Methods | Prairie Nursery
5 Steps to Successful Prairie Establishment| Prairie Nursery
How to Plant Native Grass & Wildflower Seed | OPN Nursery
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Prairie Up by Benjamin Vogt
Lawns into Meadows by Owen Wormser
Gardeners Guide to Prairie Plants by Neil Diboll, et al
Planting in a Post Wild World by Thomas Rainer & Claudia West
A Practical Guide to Prairie Reconstruction by Carl Kurtz
The Ecology & Management of Prairies in the Central U.S. by Chris Helzer
The Prairie in Seed: Identifying Seed-Bearing Prairie Plants in the Upper Midwest by Dave Williams
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