A collaborative effort among state and nonprofit partners is growing pollinator habitats, supporting wildlife and enhancing scenic highways statewide

Oklahoma City, OK – [April 29, 2026] – Oklahoma’s roadside wildflowers do more than beautify highways—they support wildlife, strengthen agriculture, and enhance tourism across the state.

Pollinators are essential to Oklahoma’s food system, supporting one in every three bites of food consumed and contributing an estimated $157 million annually to the state’s agricultural economy. By cultivating native, wildflower-rich roadsides, Oklahoma is helping sustain these vital species.

Through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Monarch Program, more than 16,000 acres of pollinator-friendly habitat have been established along state roadways. These “habitat highways” reconnect fragmented ecosystems and provide critical corridors for monarch butterflies and other wildlife. 

Native roadside management also delivers practical benefits. Reduced mowing lowers fuel and labor costs while maintaining safe, attractive highways for residents and visitors alike.

This work is made possible through strong collaboration among state and nonprofit partners:

  • Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) manages state’s highway rights of way and leads the implementation of pollinator-friendly roadside practices through its Monarch Program.
  • Color Oklahoma, a program of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, enhances roadsides by planting native wildflowers and supporting community beautification through a statewide matching grant program.
  • Keep Oklahoma Beautiful engages communities through education and environmental stewardship, expanding participation in roadside habitat conservation.

"Strong partnerships, like those with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful and the Oklahoma Native Plant Society’s Color Oklahoma Program support native ecosystems across the state. Our shared commitment to Oklahoma’s natural beauty and community wellbeing allows our organizations to deliver a greater impact than any one partner would be able to do alone,” said Kait Taylor, Biologist with ODOT’s Natural Resources program.

“At a time when pollinator populations are declining and the economy is uncertain, collaborative initiatives like these roadside habitat partnerships are essential. By pooling resources and expertise, they improve efficiency and expand their impact, making it possible to achieve more ambitious goals,” said Katie Hawk, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Monarch Society. “We applaud their accomplishments and look forward to supporting their continued efforts by expanding best management resources for roadside pollinator habitat through the launch of a new Statewide Monarch Conservation Plan this summer.”

All of these partners are part of the Oklahoma Monarch & Pollinator Collaborative (OMPC), a program of the Oklahoma Monarch Society and a network of more than 60 organizations working together to advance pollinator conservation statewide. The collaborative is currently developing version 2.0 of the Statewide Monarch Conservation Plan, set for release in summer 2026. 

Together, these efforts are transforming Oklahoma’s roadsides into thriving ecosystems that benefit pollinators, wildlife, and communities alike.