MONARCHS ACROSS GEORGIA
​Pollinator Habitat Certification

​Certification Process

• Complete and submit the online application form.
• At the end of the application form, you will be able to choose a certificate only for $15 or both a sign and certificate for $40. 
• Your application will be reviewed by a committee member and your sign and/or certificate will be mailed to you.

APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION

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Pollinator Habitat Certification Program Benefits

There are many benefits for certifying your pollinator garden:

• Gain a sense of satisfaction that you are helping the environment
• Bring media attention and state recognition for your work to create pollinator habitat
• Be eligible to order a Monarchs Across Georgia "Certified Pollinator Habitat” sign for your outdoor classroom, backyard or other habitat location
• Certified Pollinator Habitats that have been maintained for a minimum of three years from their certification date are eligible to be nominated for our Pollinator Habitat Award.

Certified Pollinator Habitats

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 Certification Requirements & Helpful Information

• Two native milkweed species (a minimum of three plants per species)

Refer to Field Guide to Milkweeds of Georgia or the Xerces Society Regional Milkweed Guides if your habitat is outside of Georgia. To reduce predation and disease, it is recommended these plants be in groups of 3 to 5, with each group being located in a different area of your habitat.
 Habitats with Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) will NOT be certified. ​Refer to Monarchs, Milkweed & Georgia Gardeners and Potential Risks of Growing Exotic Non-native Milkweeds for Monarchs for more information. We discourage the use of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) in Georgia habitats.

• A minimum of four (4) flowering plants species in each growing season (Spring, Summer and Fall) must be present.  At least three (3) of the total flowering plants must be Lepidoptera host plants (H), in addition to Milkweed (Asclepias spp.). At least one (1) beneficial woody tree or shrub species and at least one (1) native grass or sedge species must also be included in the habitat.

​Use this list of Georgia Native Flowering Plants by Season as a reference. ​Plants that support the life cycle of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are indicated with an (H) for “Host Plant.” Those that support a large number of Lepidoptera will show (H+). Plants with special benefits to native bees will be denoted with (B). Naturalized plants, plants not originally native to our area but that have become common and are not invasive, will show (n).
Special note about cultivars of native plants, or “nativars”: These often do not have the same value to pollinators due to being genetically modified for a specific trait. Please see Natives, Cultivars and Nativars for more information on this issue.

• A source of fresh water for pollinators 
• Spaces/ places for native bees to raise young and for pollinators to find shelter 

70% of our native bees overwinter in the ground and 30% in hollow stems. Many moths, butterflies, bumblebees and other beneficial insects overwinter in leaf litter as eggs, larvae, pupae or adults. Creating Pollinator Nesting Boxes to Help Native Bees from UGA Extension and  Create Nesting Habitat from University of Minnesota Bee Lab are good resources if you want to supplement your habitat. 

• Reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides and herbicides
• Removal of invasive plants (if present)

Find a list of non-native invasive plants in Georgia at Georgia EPPC  Invasive Plant List. And for native alternatives, visit Suggested Alternatives to Non-native Invasive Plants. 

• A minimum of five (5) conservation practices
• Four (4) photos of the habitat for documentation

MORE POLLINATOR HABITAT RESOURCES

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Certification Cost

Your certification fee can be paid by check or credit card. There are two options for certification:

1. Certify your pollinator habitat and receive a certificate suitable for framing — $15
2. Certify your pollinator habitat and receive a certificate and a sign — $40

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Replacement Signs

If your Pollinator Habitat is already certified with Monarchs Across Georgia, you can order a replacement sign for $25.

Order Replacement Sign

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