The City of Norman is home to many native wildlife and pollinator species such as birds, bees, and insects which keep our environment healthy and biodiverse. We recognize that human health ultimately depends on well-functioning ecosystems and that biodiverse regions can better support food production, healthy soil and air quality and can foster healthy connections between humans and wildlife.
Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities. Pollination is, however, a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity.
The City of Norman is working to build a healthy, sustainable and wildlife-friendly community that brings the many benefits of nature to all corners of our community.
To find upcoming activities, view our calendar here: https://www.normanok.gov/events
Resources
Building Your Garden
Download a quick-reference guide for creating and maintaining native gardens in Norman, with tips on plant selection, maintenance, and neighborhood-friendly landscaping here.
More detailed guides are available from:
- Okies for Monarchs: okiesformonarchs.org/build/
- Oklahoma Native Plant Society: oknativeplants.org/native-planting-resources
Plant Selection
Okies for Monarchs Regional Plant List
You can find a list of local growers by visiting the Oklahoma Native Plant Network directory: onpn.org/service-directory
Pollinator Habitat
I-35 and Highway 9
In partnership with Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), we have established pollinator habitat near the intersection of Interstate-35 and Highway 9. Follow the on ramp for I-35 southbound and you'll see the area on your right. Mowing during the summer months has been minimized to encourage flowering for pollinators.
S Cockrel Ave and E Comanche St
Located east of S Cockrel Ave and north of E Comanche St, this one-acre plot has been top-dressed with compost and overseeded with wildflower seed during 2023-2024. Mowing during the summer months has been minimized to encourage flowering for pollinators.
Park Pollinator Pockets
Pollinator gardens have been installed in various parks throughout the city. While many of our parks include undisturbed areas that have native vegetation, the gardens listed below have been specially designated as pollinator habitat.
- Colonial Commons Park-1909 Beaumont Dr
- Established in partnership with Red Dirt Collective, the garden is located in the northwest corner of the park near the community garden. The community garden includes a variety of fruit trees, herbs and vegetables.
- Eastwood Park-1001 S Ponca Ave
- The garden is located on the north end of the park near the pedestrian bridge crossing.
- A no-mow zone has been established in this park to protect the riparian area along Bishop Creek.
- Cherry Park-530 Stone Well Dr
- Garden is located between the playground and basket ball court.
- Prairie Creek Park-2025 Pendleton Dr
- Garden is located at the southeast corner of the park near the covered pavilion.
- Learn about water quality, no-mow zones, and monarch butterflies as you stroll through the park. Signage was installed in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
- A no-mow zone has been established in this park to protect the riparian area along Brookhaven Creek.
- William Morgan Park-1701 Schooner Dr
- Garden 1 is located adjacent to the picnic table near the boardwalk.
- Garden 2 is located on the eastern most loop of the walking path.
- Bentley Park-3701 Wiltshire Dr
- Garden is located between the tennis and pickleball courts.
Native Streetscaping
Native plants have been incorporated into new street scaping where possible throughout town. Take a walk through downtown Main Street, S. Porter Ave (between Alameda St and Robinson St), or James Garner Ave (between Acres St and Robinson St) to view some of these plantings.
Events and Holidays
National Pollinator Week
National Pollinator Week is a national initiative that offers opportunities to individuals and communities to help restore native habitat, support local pollinator species and the City of Norman will continue to support local, state, and national efforts that protect, restore, and conserve habitat for pollinators, as well as foster a greater connection between residents and wildlife.
Pollinators play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and in urban communities, including sustainable urban agriculture, local community gardens, and residential landscaping. Pollinator species are in decline due to habitat loss and the use of pesticides, causing many species to decline significantly in the past 25 years.
Learn more about National Pollinator Week here: pollinator.org/pollinator-week
Moth Week
Moth week started in 2012 as a local mothing event through Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission, a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Central New Jersey. What began as a grassroots, local mothing event organized by Dave Moskowitz and Liti Haramaty in 2012, soon grew into an international citizen science initiative, inviting organizations and individuals worldwide to participate in documenting moth species across the globe.
Learn more about National Moth Week here: nationalmothweek.org/#
World Bee Day
To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.
The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.
We all depend on pollinators and it is, therefore, crucial to monitor their decline and halt the loss of biodiversity.
Learn more about World Bee Day here: un.org/en/observances/bee-day
Monarchs in the Park
Celebrate the wonder of monarch butterflies and pollinators at the Monarchs in the Park Festival in Norman! This annual event highlights the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystem while offering fun, educational activities for all ages. Hosted by the Division of Environmental Resilience and Sustainability, the festival features live music, a pollinator parade, interactive demonstrations, games, butterfly-themed crafts, and plant sales. Attendees can learn from gardening and pollinator experts, enjoy local food trucks, and even participate in a raffle for unique prizes like a butterfly bench.
Set in Andrews Park, this community-centered event is free and open to all. Join us to celebrate pollinators and contribute to their preservation!
Learn more about Monarchs in the Park here: normanok.gov/monarchs-park