The City of West Hollywood is encouraging West Hollywood residents to apply for a free Southern California Pollinator Habitat Kit from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (Xerces Society) to expand important pollinator and monarch habitat. The Xerces Society is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

According to the Xerces Society, many beneficial pollinator populations are declining in California, including bees and butterflies. The population of western monarch butterflies has declined by 95% since the 1980s and eight of California’s 25 bumble bee species are at risk. Reasons include habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

The Southern California Pollinator Habitat Kit provides native and pollinator-friendly plant species that contribute to creating a habitat for native pollinators by introducing flowering plants into your garden. The Xerces Society is seeking community members who can commit to planting the kit and caring for it. Please note, supplies are limited. Visit the Xerces Society’s website to learn more and to submit a proposal for a project no later than August 6, 2025: www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/habitat-kits/southern-california.

Qualifying projects include residential properties, school yards, community gardens, and urban gardens in Southern California counties. The Pollinator Habitat Kit supports monarch butterflies, bumble bees, and other native pollinators. If chosen, kit pickups will take place during the week of December 8, 2025.

The City of West Hollywood has a core value of responsibility for the environment and the City makes it a responsibility to protect and improve natural and built environments and to pursue opportunities to preserve and create open and green space in the City’s urban setting. The City regularly leads environmental initiatives with information-sharing and educational opportunities, which aim to elevate community awareness about the City’s natural and built environments, ecology, and sustainability. This includes participation in the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge to mark the City’s commitment to saving the Monarch butterfly and other pollinators through public awareness and expansion of pollinator habitats in West Hollywood. For additional information, please visit www.weho.org/city-government/city-departments/public-works/facilities-and-field-services/monarch-butterfly-conservation.

For more information, please contact Giovanni Di Franco, the Xerces Society Regional Lead, at (714) 448-0017 or giovanni.difranco@xerces.org.

For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. Receive text updates by texting “WeHo” to (323) 848-5000.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or slunn@weho.org.