Community members invited to pick up a free pollinator plant and help create wildlife habitat at home

This summer, John Ball Zoo is making it easy for everyone to help butterflies, bees, and other wildlife thrive. Community members are invited to visit the Zoo’s Habitat Hero booth at events across West Michigan to receive a free native pollinator plant and learn how a small action at home can make a big difference for local ecosystems.

The free plants, native to West Michigan, provide food and habitat for important pollinators such as monarch butterflies and native bees. By planting them in yards, gardens, school grounds, or community spaces, residents can help create a network of habitat that supports wildlife throughout the region.

“Every native plant added to a landscape helps strengthen the habitat pollinators need to survive,” said Travis Kurtz, Community Science Coordinator for John Ball Zoo. “Whether you have a large backyard or a small garden bed, you can become a Habitat Hero by planting one native plant and helping wildlife flourish.”

Habitat Hero is an award-winning conservation initiative developed by John Ball Zoo and now adopted by more than 10 accredited zoos nationwide. The program works to increase pollinator populations and restore native habitat, benefiting a wide range of wildlife including birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Since launching in 2022, Habitat Hero has distributed more than 10,000 native plants throughout West Michigan. Each plant is tagged and tracked through a comprehensive database managed by Grand Valley State University, helping conservationists measure the program’s impact on local pollinator populations.

At every event, Habitat Hero team members will be available to answer questions, share conservation tips, and help guests learn simple ways to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators in their own communities.

Pick up your free native pollinator plant at one of these upcoming events:

  • June 20 – Bizarre Bazaar, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., 415 Ethel Ave. SE, Grand Rapids

  • June 27 – Caledonia Farmers Market, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., 9957 Cherry Valley Ave. SE, Caledonia

  • July 14 – Storytime in the Park, 6:30–9 p.m., 2111 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids

  • July 18 – Creston Garden Tour, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 205 Carrier St NE #1, Grand Rapids

  • July 25 – Caledonia Farmers Market, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., 9957 Cherry Valley Ave. SE, Caledonia

  • July 28 – JBAN Community Event, 6:30–8 p.m., 1120 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids

  • July 29 – South Community Fest, 4–7 p.m., 399 84th St SE, Byron Center

  • August 4 – National Night Out, 6–8 p.m.

  • August 8 – Rockford Farmers Market, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., North Main Street, Rockford

  • August 13 – North Community Fest, 4–7 p.m., 4191 17 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs

  • August 15 – Caledonia Farmers Market, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., 9957 Cherry Valley Ave. SE, Caledonia

  • August 18 – Storytime in the Park, 6:30–9 p.m., 2111 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids

  • August 22 – Hispanic Chamber 5K, 8 a.m.–12 p.m., 739 Van Raalte Dr SW, Grand Rapids

  • September 10 or 11 – Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz

  • September 12 – Monarch Day, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., 1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids

 

Plants are available while supplies last.

For more information about Habitat Hero and other conservation programs, visit John Ball Zoo’s website.