Pollinators are essential to many of California's agricultural crops and to the vast biodiversity of California's natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors including habitat destruction, pesticides, disease, and climate change pollinators are in decline. The loss of pollinators in California affects both agricultural and natural ecosystems. It is the goal of the Pollinator Habitat Program to help strengthen pollinator populations and health.
The Pollinator Habitat Program was established by the Budget Act of 2021 (Senate Bill 170, Skinner). An allocation of $15 million to CDFA was made for fiscal year 2021-2022 to provide grant funding for the establishment of pollinator habitat on agricultural lands throughout California. CDFA was directed to administer the Pollinator Habitat Program and to prioritize the planning of native habitats for the benefit of native biodiversity and the use of locally appropriate native plant seed mixes when feasible.
The Pollinator Habitat Program will provide up to $14.5 million in funding to established and experienced organizations (See Eligibility) to work directly with farmers and ranchers to install habitat and implement management practices that support pollinators.
The Pollinator Habitat Program is aligned with the suite of Climate Smart Agriculture incentive programs administered by CDFA's Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation. The program's primary objective is to support pollinators through provision of floral resources, host plants and other elements of suitable habitat. Projects funded through the PHP can be expected to have additional benefits to California's biodiversity and agricultural production. Projects will support integrated pest management, support beneficial species (beyond pollinators), enhance carbon sequestration and improve soil health among other co-benefits.
The Pollinator Partnership — a non-profit 501 c3 dedicated to promoting the health of pollinators through conservation, education, and research — is conducting a survey to learn about California growers' preferences for on-farm conservation programs.
The voluntary survey, under contract for the USDA, is open to current owners and/or managers of farmlands in California, and should take about 10 minutes to complete.
Participants can take part in the survey regardless of past participation in a USDA conservation program. Responses will not identify participants individually; results will be aggregated and anonymized when presented.
All participants who complete this survey will be included in a raffle to win one of ten (10) $50 VISA gift cards. To be included in the raffle simply provide your email at the end of the survey.
Questions about this survey can be directed to (jordan@pollinator.org) or Vicki Wojcik (vw@pollinator.org) at Pollinator Partnership.
Click on this link to participate in the survey.
