The Utah Pollinator Habitat Program grant has closed for the 2026 season and is no longer accepting late applications, according to a notice from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. The program's next application period is scheduled to open on March 1, 2027.
The Utah Pollinator Habitat Program aims to increase available pollinator habitat, expand existing landscapes to improve pollen and nectar resources, and provide better connectivity between habitats. The program also seeks to increase access to native seed resources and improve public awareness regarding pollinator habitat throughout the state.
The program was established following the passage of House Bill 224 by the Utah legislature in March 2021, which created a three-year pilot program managed by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. In 2024, the program received funding to continue the pilot program under Utah Code 4-2-701. Subsequently, HB 251 was passed by the legislature in 2025 with support from State Representative Ashlee Matthews and Senator Evan Vickers, making the program a permanent fixture in Utah and increasing the cost-share from 25 percent to up to 75 percent of expenses for planting pollinator-friendly native species.
Pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds, play a vital role in the agricultural industry, local economies, and ecosystem health. Many pollinator populations have experienced declines due to factors such as habitat loss, changing climate and weather patterns, disease, and pesticide use.
