HGCNY Homeowner Native Plant Garden Grant

The Habitat Gardening in Central New York (HGCNY) Chapter of Wild Ones offers small grants to help homeowners in Central New York add native plants to their yards or gardens. These projects support pollinators, birds, and local ecosystems by using plants native to our region.

A limited number of grants are available each year, so we encourage interested homeowners to apply early. We’re excited to support as many inspiring projects as possible!

Who Can Apply

Homeowners in Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Oswego, or Tompkins counties who want to plant native species and enhance habitat on their property.

What We Fund

Grants are intended to help pay for native plants or seeds only. Award amounts will be up to $200.00 and must be used to buy plants listed in the HGCNY Native Plant Shopping Guide.

Please note: This is a reimbursement grant, which means recipients will purchase their plants first and then submit receipts for reimbursement. Full instructions will be provided upon approval.

Your project can be a standalone home garden or any of these examples we love to support:

What matters most is your commitment to using regionally native plants that support Central New York’s ecosystems.

Not eligible for funding:

  • Vegetable gardens or food crops
  • Non-native or invasive plants
  • Hardscaping, tools, mulch, or labor

What Recipients Receive

In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive:

  • A Wild Ones native plant garden flag like those found here: https://shop.wildones.org/collections/garden-flags
  • Optional: “Help Me” Tour site visit from HGCNY “Garden Buddies” to offer personalized advice
  • Optional: Mentoring from the HGCNY “Garden Buddies” program
Who are the garden buddies?

Note: Depending on your location, mentoring may be provided virtually via Email, Discord, or Zoom rather than in person.

How to Apply

Email your application to [email protected] with the subject line:

“Homeowner Grant Application – [Your Name]”

Your application should include:

  • Your location and a short description of your project
  • A simple sketch or written plan of the planting area
  • An initial plant list (with scientific names) from the HGCNY Native Plant Shopping Guide
  • Whether or not site preparation (e.g. removing lawn, smothering turf, etc.) has been completed
  • Your interest in the optional “Help Me” Tour and/or “Garden Buddies” mentoring.
  • A short explanation of how the garden will be maintained
  • At least one photo of the planting area before planting

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

Decisions will be announced by April 30, 2026

Application Guidelines

1. Project Description and Initial Plant List

  • Briefly describe your planting area (e.g., sunny front yard, shady corner, former lawn).
  • Include a simple planting plan (sketch or written description) that shows what you intend to plant and where. Be sure to use plants listed in the HGCNY Native Plant Shopping Guide, identified by their scientific names and chosen based on your site’s sun, soil, and moisture conditions.
  • Indicate whether site preparation has already been completed. If not, describe the steps you plan to take before planting.
  • Indicate your interest in the optional “Help Me” Tour and/or “Garden Buddies” mentoring.

2. Maintenance Plan

  • Explain how you’ll care for the garden (e.g., watering, weeding, protecting young plants).
  • Commitment to long-term maintenance is required.

3. Photograph

  • Provide at least one photo of the planting area prior to planting

4. Basic Gardening Knowledge

Important Reminder

Applicants are responsible for making sure their garden plans comply with all local regulations. This includes zoning laws, homeowners association (HOA) rules (if applicable), easement or public right-of-way restrictions, and safety measures like calling 811 before you dig.

We encourage you to check these requirements early in your planning process to avoid any issues down the line.

Our Selection Process

All applications are reviewed based on the following criteria to ensure alignment with our goals and priorities.

Required Criteria

To be considered for selection, applications must include all of the following:

  • Location: Project must be in Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, or Tompkins County
  • Project Description
  • Planting Plan (a simple sketch or written description)
  • Plant List (from the HGCNY Shopping Guide)
  • Site Preparation (completed or planned steps)
  • Maintenance Plan
  • Before Photo(s)

Applications that are missing any of these required components will not be considered.

Please also indicate your interest in the optional “Help Me” Tour and/or “Garden Buddies” mentoring.

Preferred Criteria

Once an application meets all required criteria, we give additional consideration to projects that meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicant is a Wild Ones member
  • Project is visible to the public
  • Qualifies as a Monarch Waystation
  • Replaces lawn with native plantings
  • Includes layered plantings (e.g., structural, mid-level, ground cover)
  • Project is homeowner’s first native plant garden

In the Case of a Tie

If two or more applications are equally strong based on our evaluation criteria, priority will be given to the application received first. We encourage applicants to submit early to ensure full consideration.

Grant Follow-Up

If selected, recipients will be asked to submit a brief grant report after the planting is complete. This report should include:

  • A short summary of your project
  • Monthly photos of the planting area for the first growing season (May-October)
  • Any feedback or reflections you’d like to share

Please note: Your grant report and photos may be shared on Wild Ones HGCNY’s social media channels to help inspire others.