City of Atascadero Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Monarch & Pollinator Native Habitat - Tuesday, June 9th at 4 pm!

The City of Atascadero is pleased to announce the official ribbon cutting of the new Monarch & Pollinator Native Habitat located at the Morro Road/Highway 41 and US-101 off-ramp on Tuesday, June 9, at 4:00 p.m.

This new native habitat serves as a vital "rest stop" for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators traveling between the renowned butterfly groves of Monterey and Pismo Beach. Situated at one of Atascadero's primary gateways, the project transforms an underutilized parcel into a vibrant landscape that supports local wildlife while enhancing the community.

The idea for the habitat came from City Manager Jim Lewis, whose familiarity with Monarch conservation efforts and passion for beautification of Atascadero inspired the creation of an educational and environmentally beneficial resource for Atascadero.

"In addition to providing critical habitat for Monarch butterflies and pollinators, this project demonstrates how environmental stewardship, community partnerships, and education can come together to create something truly special for Atascadero.  Additionally, we have cleaned up and made more beautiful a major entry to the community,” said Lewis.

Work on the site began in October 2025, with local landscape contractor and project sponsor Madrone Landscape leading the transformation. The company cleared debris, removed invasive vegetation, and planted approximately 200 native shrubs and pollinator-friendly plants.

The habitat design was developed through a collaborative effort between Madrone Landscape, Olwyn Kingery Design, and the UC Master Gardeners, many of whom volunteer at the Central Coast Zoo. Educational signage throughout the habitat was provided by Monarch Ventures along with information about the Central Coast Zoo, the UC Master Gardeners, and the Atascadero Land Preservation Society (ALPS), highlighting the importance of pollinators, native gardens, and native trees.

Today, visitors will find a diverse array of native species, including coyote brush, coyote mint, California asters, seaside daisies, native sages, and several varieties of milkweed—all selected to support Monarch butterflies and other pollinators throughout their life cycles.

Additional improvements include irrigation, decorative rock features, fencing, and protective ground cover. As the habitat matures, it will become an increasingly valuable refuge for butterflies, bees, birds, and other pollinators. Funding for the project was provided through the City's Tree Fund, supporting Atascadero's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through tree mitigation fees, the City’s Tree Fund is dedicated to advancing the long-term health and expansion of native trees throughout Atascadero.  The Tree Fund finances the planting and ongoing maintenance of native trees and supports other native gardens and the promotion of planting native species in other areas of the community.

Looking ahead, the City is partnering with Atascadero High School's Welding and Art Departments to create a custom wrought-iron butterfly-inspired feature for the habitat. Students will gain hands-on experience through conservation learning opportunities with the Central Coast Zoo and design and fabrication experience with McKenzie Productions. The completed installation is expected to debut this fall.

Community members are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 9 at 4:00 p.m. Representatives from the UC Master Gardeners, ALPS, the Central Coast Zoo, and Madrone Landscapes will be on hand to share information about pollinators, native gardening, and the importance of preserving local habitats. The City looks forward to celebrating this exciting new addition with the community.

For more information, please contact Terrie Banish at (805) 470-3490 or tbanish@atascadero.org.