Working Lands for Pollinators Program
The Working Lands for Pollinators Program is focused on improving habitat on farms, ranches and private lands. Habitat loss is one of the primary factors contributing to pollinator decline. Farms and ranches can serve as an intentional space to provide food, water and shelter for beneficial insects, while also benefiting from the services of pollination and pest-controlling insects. To learn more about the benefits of hosting pollinator habitat on your commercial farm or ranch, check out our Pollinator Habitat Restoration on Working Lands guide.
Our field team can come out and learn about spaces you are interested in or open to planting pollinator habitat. We then create a report for you including plant lists and project ideas based on your goals, and if a project aligns with any of our team's funding, we can cover the cost of implementation.
To sign up for a free site visit, please fill out this short form to tell us about your land and goals.
Questions? Reach out to our Ag Programs Coordinator, Elizabeth Cuadras Garcia: elizabeth.garcia@rcdsandiego.org
Check out this local news piece on how we are helping a farmer in Escondido!
Interested in helping pollinators and local food producers?
Click here to sign up to receive emails about upcoming volunteer planting days with the Working Lands for Pollinators program. You will only receive emails regarding upcoming planting events.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How physically demanding is the volunteer work?
Volunteers will follow instructions to help digging holes with shovels, put plants from containers into the ground, water plants, and spread mulch. Volunteers should be able to bend and kneel without difficulty and be able to lift 15 pounds (the weight of a 2-gallon watering can).
How long is each volunteer planting event?
Each planting event lasts about 3 hours and typically starts at around 8am. It's important for us to start as early as possible to avoid putting plants into the ground when it's hot and sunny.
Where do habitat plantings take place?
We partner with farmers across San Diego County, so habitat plantings may be far from where you live. Stay tuned for a planting event that's convenient for you or help spread the word to folks you know in other areas.
Do I need to know about native plants or gardening to volunteer?
No experience is needed! This is a great opportunity for anyone to learn about native plants and pollinator habitat and get hands-on planting experience.
Staff from partner agencies and organizations, like the Resource Conservation District, will be there to help guide you and answer questions.
Can high schoolers earn community service credit by volunteering?
High schoolers can bring community service forms for signature at the end of planting events.
Many thanks to our partners and funders from:
