3D: Successes of the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program

The Utah Pollinator Habitat Pilot Program was founded in 2021 with the passage of H.B. 224 Pollinator Amendments. Given program success, the Legislature voted to provide ongoing funding to the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program, creating a permanent initiative under the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s (UDAF) Conservation Division in 2025. With this development also came the capacity to oversee the continuation of existing services and the expansion of the program’s reach and scope.

The Utah Pollinator Habitat program accepts applications from Utah residents for “pollinator habitat kits” consisting of about 30 plant plugs, each composed of native upland or wetland species. The kits are designed to cover pollinator needs across seasons and regions of Utah. UDAF has partnered with the Utah State Correctional Facility horticulture program to grow the plants for the kits.

Applications for the kits are assessed based on regional needs and potential for project success. Applicants can apply for multiple kits based on the size of their property and suitable space and are required to submit an annual report of their project progress for a three-year period following award. The reports provide valuable information on the progress of the habitats and individual plant success.

The accomplishments of the program in 2024 and combined for the 2022-2024 program are shown in the figure.