The Meadows for Monarchs Project is Converting Ordinary Turfgrass into Monarch Habitat across Licking County, OH

Photo credit: Licking County Pollinator Pathway

The Pollinator Pathway-led project provides free site preparation training and native seed mixes to landowners willing to convert underused grass on a portion of their property into a wildflower meadow. In partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, The Dawes Arboretum, OSU Extension, Licking Land Trust, and Licking Soil & Water Conservation District, the Licking County Pollinator Pathway coordinated eight local workshops to support landowners through the site preparation, seeding, and long-term meadow care process. Recordings of those trainings are available for 2026 participants as well as interested property owners outside the county.

Meadows were planted on 32 properties across 10 communities, totaling approximately 24 acres. Plots ranged from small backyard pocket prairies of less than 100 square feet to larger meadows up to 5 acres in size. Milkweed, along with a special mix of 33 other native flower species, is taking root across the county this summer, creating stepping stones as part of a corridor of habitat to support monarchs on their migration. The seed mix will be available to participants again this fall, and landowners countywide are invited to join the next round of plantings. Pictured above is pollinator habitat installed by the Ohio City of Newark Parks and Cemetery Department as a way to save on mowing and maintenance costs on grassy areas not otherwise used for recreational purposes, such as this area of Levin Park. The Department estimated a total savings of $2,380 per season for each five acre plot once it is planted—plus 70 hours of staff time to be redirected to other projects.

Learn more about the advantages of converting grass to meadow, including case studies and training videos, from the Licking County Pollinator Pathway website.