Grant Program

About TMA Grants

TMA’s grant program is open to Monarch Waystation projects in Washington County, Maryland, and Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties in West Virginia.  Preference will be given to schools, universities, nature centers, and other organizations planning to use the Waystation to educate the public about monarch butterflies and/or involve students in outdoor learning.

Using The Monarch Alliance’s plant list, applicants can enhance Monarch butterfly habitat in an existing garden, design a new garden, or simply use this sample design.

Proposed gardens must adhere to the minimum requirements of Monarch Watch:

• Size – No minimum size, however, an area of 100 square feet or greater is recommended.
• Sun Exposure – Located in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sun each day.
• Drainage and Soil Type – Many milkweeds and nectar plants do best in low-clay soils with good drainage.
• Shelter – Plants should be relatively close together but not crowded.  Follow planting guidelines specific to each plant.
• Milkweed – At least 20% of the plants must be milkweed.  At least two species of milkweed must be included.
• Nectar Plants – Include a variety of nectar plants that bloom sequentially or continually throughout the breeding and migration seasons (April – October).
• Maintenance – Have a plan to sustain the Waystation. Examples of maintenance include mulching, thinning, fertilizers, soil amendments, removing dead stalks, and incorporating additional features.

The vouchers awarded through this grant program may ONLY be used to choose plants from this plant list during The Monarch Alliance Spring Native Plant Sale, held in May at Sunny Meadows Garden Center.

Ready to get started?

1. Form a team. A team is a minimum of 2 persons, but can be more. If the applicant is a school, the team must have the support of the principal and a parent. A team can consist of students, with the support of the principal and a teacher.  The Monarch Alliance Grants Committee may request the applicant obtain additional support from the school or community.
2. Complete and submit the application. The Monarch Alliance grants committee will review your application. Criteria for judging applications include: innovative design, a clear understanding of managing the garden, a plan to involve stakeholders in creating and maintaining the garden, and a plan to involve students in outdoor learning.
3. The timelines for grant announcements and awards are as follows:
   • September 15 – Grant Program Opens
   • December 15 – Applications are Due
   • February 1 – Grant Awards are Finalized and Grant Recipients are Notified
4. Register your Waystation and submit reports. After completing the garden, applicants must register it as a Monarch Waystation with Monarch Watch, and submit a summary report of the project to The Monarch Alliance.  Registration is easy and The Monarch Alliance will cover the registration fees for you!

Questions?

Please contact MonarchAlliance@PotomacAudubon.org with any questions related to grants.