The monarch butterfly, western bumblebee, suckley's cuckoo bumble BEE, and many other pollinators, are declining across the west due to a variety of factors including habitat loss, pesticide use,…

The monarch butterfly, western bumblebee, suckley's cuckoo bumble BEE, and many other pollinators, are declining across the west due to a variety of factors including habitat loss, pesticide use, invasive species encroachment, and climate change. Pollinator habitat restoration in the palouse prairie region, which focuses on providing season-long floral resources along with a milkweed component, is needed for many pollinator species including themonarch butterfly. RE-establishing and protecting pollinator habitat through forb enhancements and prairie reconstruction projects along with educating landowners, agency professionals, and youth about monarch andpollinator habitat restoration are both important strategies to help the western monarch and bumblebeepopulations rebound. This project will focus on habitat restoration in the palouse prairie grasslands in latah county, idaho. The project will also promote outreach for latah county landowners and youth. Through this grant, the latah soil and water conservation district will coordinate large and small-scale habitat restoration efforts as well as provide outreach and educational opportunities to landowners/land managers, restoration practitioners, producers, and local youth through workshops and school education events.