New partnership between City of Norman and Oklahoma Monarch Society moves forward

To help increase pollinator habitat in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Monarch Society (OMS) is partnering with the City of Norman to launch Pathways for Pollinators & People, an initiative that will engage both the city and residents in monarch conservation, education and art. A grant contract was officially approved by Norman City Council on February 10, 2026.

Monarch butterflies and other native pollinators are experiencing steep population declines, which may be a result of pesticide and herbicide use, habitat loss, and climate change. The City of Norman already demonstrates a strong commitment to pollinator conservation, with eight cultivated garden areas totaling more than 22,000 square feet and an additional 79 acres of natural and low-maintenance spaces that provide habitat and resources for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

"Norman is centrally located within the monarch butterfly pathway and is a community that values pollinator conservation. Through this collaboration, we aim to build upon that momentum," said Katie Hawk, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Monarch Society. "Pollinators play a critical role in putting food on our plates … and the rapid decline of their populations is an alarming wake-up call. Through this initiative, we are creating opportunities for government agencies to take the lead in conservation while engaging residents in meaningful, hands-on activities."

During this initiative, OMS will work with city staff to install pollinator gardens, implement educational programs, and spark creativity with a monarch butterfly mural.

"Norman is proud to partner on a project that supports both environmental sustainability and public engagement," Norman Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman said. "By creating pollinator habitats that integrate public art and education, we're investing in spaces that benefit wildlife while strengthening our community."

Through this partnership, the City of Norman will receive support to:

• Build high-quality pollinator gardens that provide food and shelter to declining populations of pollinators, as well as milkweed, the host plant for monarch butterflies.
• Provide educational signage to inform and engage the public about the design, purpose, and benefits of the gardens.
• Offer educational programs and materials through OMS's Okies for Monarchs program to teach residents about pollinators and habitat creation.
• Install a monarch-themed mural designed by Oklahoma artist Rick Sinnett.

City staff has shared that project planning will be finalized this month, with habitat and mural installation anticipated in Spring 2026. Project completion is expected by October 2026.

"We are honored to be selected for this partnership and excited to expand our pollinator habitat work in Norman," said Michele Loudenback, Manager of the Division of Environmental Resilience & Sustainability for the city of Norman. "This project allows us to combine habitat restoration, education, and public art in a way that benefits both our environment and our community."

To learn more about sustainability efforts at the City of Norman, visit GreenNorman.org. To learn more about OMS, visit okmonarchsociety.org. Updates to this project will be made available at Normanok.gov as it progresses.

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