Planting for Pollinators NC (P4PNC) is a collaborative community initiative led by the Durham and Orange County Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers and Master Naturalist volunteers. Inspired by the award-winning Mowing to Monarchs program from Dubuque, Iowa, P4PNC is a structured approach to converting turf grass and non-native landscapes into small but high-functioning native pollinator habitat.
This community-based ecological restoration program focuses on both people and plants, empowering participant partners through education, mentorship, and hands-on stewardship to help restore native habitat and reconnect wildlife corridors across our landscapes. Our participant partners are residents or organizations in Durham and Orange Counties who have a small plot of land –100 to 150 square feet– they want convert to a “pollinator patch.”
Community P4P Partners and Extension Master Gardener volunteers at a demonstration on how to prepare a site for a future pollinator garden of native plants in a Durham neighborhood. Less lawn more life! (Image credit: Janet Staats)
We are excited to pilot this program beginning in June of 2026. While we envision growing this program in the coming years, we have a limited number of partner opportunities for this collaborative community effort this year. Interested community members will apply and be selected annually.
Check back for updates including dates for info sessions for our 2027 program and ways you can get involved!
(Top) Volunteers and P4P Community Partners at a recent workshop. (Bottom) If you see this yard sign in Durham or Orange County, you’ve located one of our P4P Partner’s pollinator gardens in progress! (Image credit: Allie Mullin, J. Heigel)
Our P4PNC Mission: Planting for Pollinators empowers people to create thriving native habitats through research-based education, mentoring, and collaboration that restore biodiversity and enrich local environments.
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Edited my Melinda Heigel, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer