Jerry Paul Native Pollinator Conservation Grant
This grant is now closed, but we plan to open the application for the next round in Spring 2025! stay tuned.
Description
Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (BSWCD) is pleased to announce a new annual grant award program, the Jerry Paul Native Pollinator Conservation (JPNPC) Grant. The JPNPC Grant will provide funding to one or more recipients to restore, maintain, or promote native pollinator habitat in Benton County.
This grant was created in honor of the late Jerry Paul, a long-time Board Director with BSWCD and a dedicated advocate for pollinators and conservation in our community. To read more about Jerry’s work and legacy, click here.
Native pollinators provide numerous vital ecological and economic services to people, plants, and animals. Yet their numbers and diversity are declining at an alarming rate. This grant aims to help Benton County residents create pollinator-supporting spaces using native plants, bee boxes, public education, and/or other tools.
Successful candidates will receive both grant funds and ongoing support during the grant period from Benton SWCD staff, including planning help, site visits, connecting to resources, and more. A final report with receipts and photo documentation must be submitted to BSWCD at the conclusion of the project.
Eligibility
This grant will be awarded to individuals who meet the following requirements:
- Are a resident of Benton County, Oregon.
- Own, manage, or have permission to conduct project work in a location in Benton County (any amount of land, from yards to acreage).
- Are dedicated to providing and promoting native pollinator conservation and habitats.
- Are committed to NOT using pesticides on their property/project site.
- Private individuals and those representing community organizations, schools, and Tribal Nations are all welcome to apply.
Helpful resources
We have provided a number of useful resources for planning, installing, and maintaining native pollinator habitats on the right side of this page. We highly encourage you to review these resources before applying.
- Establishing native plant gardens designed to support local pollinator species
- Creating native pollinator nesting sites including bee boxes, insect hotels, nurse logs, debris fields, etc.
- Installing pollinator-friendly hedgerows, borders, or cover crops on agricultural land
- Education or outreach programs that promote public awareness and conservation of native pollinators
- Restoring native habitats such as oak prairies, wetlands, and woodlands
- Any other projects that support, promote, and/or educate the public about native pollinators!
