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This image depicts a paint roller, a roll of tape, and three paint brushes laying on a flat surface.

Route 66 Butterfly Gardens

This image is a shield shape with a ribbon across the bottom and the outline of Oklahoma at its base. The shield says "Keep Route 66" and the ribbon says "beautiful."

 

Keep Route 66 Beautiful by Planting a Butterfly Garden!

 

Applications Open July 1, 2025

 

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful is partnering with Okies for Monarchs to plant butterfly gardens along the Mother Road. Apply for a grant to receive planting supplies, volunteer training, and signage. 

What are Pollinator Plots?

This is an image of a monarch butterfly perched on a milkweed flower.

Grant Program Overview

Grant Value: Approximately $1,500
What’s Included:

  • Up to 100 square feet of native Oklahoma plants to provide a food source for pollinators and habitat for native wildlife,
  • Plants and planting supplies like mulch and stakes,
  • A custom metal sign recognizing sponsors,
  • Coordination with local nurseries and suppliers to ensure all funds support your community.

About the Gardens

These Pollinator Plots are filled with Oklahoma plants that keep our native pollinators well-fed! Available flowers can include butterflyweed, milkweed, golden crownbeard, purple coneflower, gaillardia, bee balm, basket-flower, Maximillian sunflower, blazing star, aromatic aster, blue sage, and more regionally appropriate options. 

Individual landowners are eligible if the Pollinator Plot will be used for public benefit and education. If you are an individual landowner interested in turning your property into a pollinator's paradise, but not for the general public, contact us! We have community partners all over Oklahoma who love helping people re-prairie our state. 

Preference is given to gardens planted in the ground rather than in planters or raised beds. Plants in the ground require less watering and maintenance than those in planters, and they provide habitat for other wildlife. If your plan includes raised beds or planters, you'll need volunteers to perform daily watering during hot weather. 

This is an image of a bee perched on a bee balm bloom.

Grant Recipient Responsibilities

To ensure long-term success, recipients must:

  • Recruit volunteers for planting, watering, and maintenance
  • Submit a maintenance plan
  • Secure signed Permission to Plant Form from the property owner (city, business, or private)
  • Coordinate utility marking and ensure the location clears power lines
  • Organize the planting event
  • Pick up plants and supplies before the planting event
  • Complete a brief report detailing the Pollinator Plot planting event and its impact

Timeline

  • Applications Open: July 1, 2025 
    • Deadline for Fall 2025 planting: August 15, 2025
    • Deadline for Spring 2026 planting: April 17, 2026
    • Deadline for Fall 2026 planting: August 15, 2026
  • Recipients Notified: Ongoing
  • Pollinator Plot Planting: Ongoing - Spring & Fall
  • Final Report Due: Within 30 days of planting

Pollinator Plot Application

Contact Information
Prefix
First Name *
Last Name *
Please enter "N/A" if you are applying as an individual.
Type of Organization:
Country
Address Line 1 *
Address Line 2
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *
Have you or your organization participated in any Keep Oklahoma Beautiful programs before?
Other programs include: The Great American Cleanup, Paint Oklahoma Beautiful, Litter Education, and more
Project Information
Only counties within 25 miles of Route 66 are eligible for this program.
If you live outside these counties, reach out to programs@keepok.org to learn about what is available in your area!
Country
Address Line 1 *
Address Line 2
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *
If there is no address, please enter the nearest cross streets or other identifying information in "Address Line 1" then enter the City, State, and Zip Code.
How far is your project from Route 66?
Please share how your community is connected to Historic Route 66.
Please describe where you would like to plant your Pollinator Plot and how it will impact your community.
Are utility lines present?
Power lines should not affect this project, but it is important to confirm that no underground lines could be damaged.
Please tell us if this will be part of a larger event or if flower planting is the event.
Do you already have people to help with this project?
KOB defines a "group" as 3 or more people. You don't need an army of volunteers to make a difference.
Please enter the number of volunteers you believe will help with the planting and maintenance.
When do you plan to plant your Pollinator Plot?
Applications are open year-round, but plantings only happen in Spring and Fall.
Applications received after August 15, 2025 may not qualify for Fall 2025 plantings.
Please select the date you plan to have your pollinator plot planting day. It's ok if it needs to change later, just let us know!
No file selected
Please upload a word document or PDF detailing your community's 3-year maintenance plan.
No file selected
You can also upload these pictures as part of the wrap-up report after your project.
No file selected
Additional Information
No file selected
Is your organization already a Keep Oklahoma Beautiful affiliate?
Are you interested in any of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful's other Route 66 projects?
If you have your own idea of how to enhance your Route 66 community, please email programs@keepok.org with details.
Report Confirmation
By typing your name below, you agree to fill out a report provided by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful that shares the results of your event.
Please type your full name.