Press Release
Posted:
Yolo County, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that he has helped secure $567,000 in federal funding for the Yolo Habitat Conservancy to advance their Pollinator Parkway project. This investment will support efforts to restore and enhance critical habitat for monarch butterflies, the valley elderberry longhorn beetle, bumble bees, and other pollinators whose populations have sharply declined in recent decades.
The western monarch butterfly population has declined by more than 95 percent since the 1980s due to habitat loss and climate impacts. This project will help reverse that trend by restoring 21 acres of habitat, improving an additional 561 acres, developing three conservation plans, propagating 2,000 native milkweed seedlings, and engaging more than 200 community members through outreach events.
“Pollinators are essential to our food supply and our environment,” said Thompson. “Yolo County has long been a leader in conservation, and this project will strengthen that legacy by restoring monarch butterfly and insect habitats and protecting endangered species with hands-on stewardship from our community. I’m proud to help secure this funding to support healthier ecosystems.”
"In these times of government cutbacks, having the support of Representative Thompson in securing funding for such a critical cause was essential,” said Linda Deos, Yolo Habitat Conservancy Board Member and City of Davis Councilmember. “Thank you, Congressman!”
The $567,000 in funding will support efforts to:
- Restore 21 acres and improve 561 acres of pollinator habitat across public lands
- Expand breeding and nectar resources for monarch butterflies and other threatened pollinators
- Develop three conservation plans to guide long-term habitat management
- Propagate 2,000 native milkweed seedlings essential for monarch reproduction
- Host nine community education and volunteer events reaching at least 200 people