Grants include funding for creation of monarch gardens at schools. Applications due Friday, April 10, 2026.
Applications are now open for the OKC Zoo Living Classroom Grant Program, presented by OG&E. The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden encourages OKC metro-area schools to apply for the OKC Zoo Living Classroom Grant, which includes professional development opportunities for teachers, access to the National Wildlife Federation’s Monarch Mission Curriculum, and up to $1,500 for each school selected to purchase supplies to create a monarch garden. The program is sponsored by OG&E and the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, and is done in partnership with the Oklahoma Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative (Okies for Monarchs) and the National Wildlife Federation.
Each year, millions of monarch butterflies pass through Oklahoma as they migrate north to southern Canada in the spring and south to central Mexico in the fall. Oklahoma is a vital part of the path and pollinator gardens provide needed resources along the journey. Each migration includes generations of monarchs, which rely on milkweed and nectar-producing plants to reproduce and complete the migration cycle.
“Monarch butterfly populations are down, more than a 90 percent decrease, over the last 30 years,” said OKC Zoo Conservation Scientist Dr. Emily Geest, who studies butterflies. “Many factors contribute to the decline, but a main reason is habitat loss across their breeding and migratory grounds.”
Without food or a safe place to start the next generation, the monarchs’ migration journey ends. Oklahoma sits in the middle of monarchs’ central migratory pathway, so creating and protecting habitat in the state is critical for survival.
“Monarch butterflies are vital to a healthy ecosystem and protecting them begins with education. The OKC Zoo Living Classroom Grant program is inspiring future generations to become environmental stewards through hands-on experiences that bring conservation to life. Through our partnership with the Oklahoma City Zoo, OG&E is supporting opportunities that nurture curiosity and build a sustainable future,” said Kelli Hayward Walsh, OG&E Community Outreach and Engagement Manager.
Since its inception, the OKC Zoo Living Classroom Grant program has funded the creation of 40 monarch butterfly gardens at OKC metro-area schools, impacting more than 20,000 students. More than 2,000 stems of milkweed, which are essential for monarch reproduction, have been planted.
To apply for the grant, schools must agree to maintain and commit resources to the garden for at least three years, dedicate a minimum of 100 square feet of planted space on school grounds that serves as a monarch habitat and outdoor classroom, and include native milkweed and nectar plants, among other requirements. More information and a link to download application forms can be found online at okczoo.org/okc-living-classroom-grant-program. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026.
The OKC Zoo is located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35 and a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. During the OKC Zoo’s Winter Hours, now through Sunday, March 1, 2026, the park will be open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with last entry at 4 p.m. The Zoo is closed to guests during the day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Purchase Zoo admission in advance at okczoo.org/tickets to avoid the entry lines. For more Zoo information, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Linktree, TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories.