BCRI partners with Western Monarch Advocates.

Bear Creek Restoration Initiative is in partnership with Western Monarch Advocates in a statewide effort to include pollinator-friendly nectar and host plants within restoration work to boost habitat for the imperiled Western Monarch butterfly. This development may bring milkweed and other pollinator plants to Rogue Valley restoration sites designed as “pollinator waystations”, encouraging monarchs, bees, and other species to thrive!

Photo credit: Robert Coffan

With financial support from USFW Wings Across the Americas program, BCRI partners are currently prioritizing seven pollinator habitat improvement and/or pollinator gardens along the Greenway from Ashland through Medford.  We are working with local nurseries to identify needs and grow milkweed and other species for planting in 2022 and beyond. 

As of summer 2022, two pollinator gardens plantings are underway.  One is located at the Medford Sports Park and was planted in conjunction with the SOLVE community clean-up in April 2022.  The other is located in Blue Heron Park and was planted in mid-May.

If you are interested in developing your own pollinator garden, there are a number of great resources including this guide.