Lawns To Habitat

Click here for 2024 application

Want Free Native Plants to Replace Your Dead or Dying Lawn?

Apply for a $250 Grant Through the Conejo Valley Audubon Society

CVAS is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to actively promote the enjoyment of natural habitats, native plants, and wildlife with a special emphasis on birds.

The CVAS Lawns To Habitat Program offers $250 grants, and one hour of free landscape design and gardening advice to help you convert your lawn to native habitat.

Use less water, save money, beautify your yard, and provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

Tired of trying to maintain your lawn? Want to save water and money while creating a beautiful native garden that supports birds, pollinators, and other wildlife? Then apply to Conejo Valley Audubon Society’s Lawns to Habitat Grant Program, and we’ll help you turn your sad plot into a thriving native oasis for pollinators and birds. Let us help you achieve your dream landscape!

May 1-June 15 CVAS accepts applications for grants to help people make this transformation. Successful applicants will receive:

  • $250 worth of native plants (40-50 plants, covers approx. 2,500 sq. ft.)
  • Design advice from local gardening experts

Timeline:

Before Applying –

  • Define, measure, and photograph your project area. Pin flags or survey tape and nails can help you visualize your new native habitat. 
  • Measure to the nearest foot, calculate square footage by multiplying area width by length.
  • Photograph all dead or dying lawn. Do this before removal if you plan to apply for an additional Waterwise turf removal grant. 

Grant application period is open from May 1

Apply for the Lawns To Habitat Grant through June 15.

May 1-June 15

Apply for a Lawns to Habitat Grant online.

By June 30

All grant applications will be reviewed by a panel of experienced CVAS members. Winning applicants will be notified by email.

Through the Summer 

Remove your lawn by sheet mulching, hand removal, mechanical turf cutting, and /or herbicide application. Please note this process takes 4-8 weeks. June through October are ideal months to complete this process. 

June-September

Site visits, design advice, and plant order preparation occur throughout the summer and early fall months (June-September) as grant recipient’s turf is removed, hardscapes installed, and irrigation systems modified. Grant recipients will receive help with planting concept designs for the native plants from CVAS volunteers, but may wish to contract with landscape professionals. See CVAS resource list for businesses that support the Lawns to Habitat Program.

September-November

Order and pick up plants in Thousand Oaks. Contingent on current water restrictions, install plants. Grant recipients are responsible for plant installation.

Each summer CVAS accepts applications for grants to help people make this transformation. Successful applicants will receive:

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have some lawn, non-native plants, or un-landscaped area available for replacement.
  • Must be the owner of the property or have the owner’s written permission.
  • Must be located in Agoura, Oak Park, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park or Camarillo.
  • Owner certifies that they have no outdoor cats with access to the property, and sign the CVAS liability waiver.
  • Must be ready to plant in September-November.

We will select winners from those who completed the entire form. The winners must allow CVAS to post project before and after photos on its website and/or in publications and videos describing the process. All applications for the Lawns to Habitat Program must be received by June 15 2024. Complete the form below. Call Erik Oberg at 202-906-9932 with questions.

Let us help you achieve your dream landscape!

BEFORE:

Lawns To Habitat - Before

AFTER:

Resource List

These companies donate assistance or offer discounts that support the Lawns to Habitat Grant Program.