Route 66 Native Plant & Pollinator Festival Brings Plants, Experts to Elk City

Western Oklahoma event invites residents across the region to learn, shop and take action to protect monarchs and pollinators

April 23, 2026

Oklahoma State Parks helping participants with seed balls @ Beau Leland

BY STEFANIE LELAND

An infusion of native wildflower and milkweed know-how is headed to western Oklahoma in May. Oklahoma Monarch Society and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful are teaming up to host the Route 66 Native Plant & Pollinator Festival, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., May 2 at Arrowhead Community Center, 600 Western Dr., in Elk City. Native plant vendors and experts are heading west to share advice on backyard and out-on-the-ranch habitats and native plantings.

“Over time, we've mapped areas of Oklahoma that lack pollinator habitat and access to native plant vendors,” said Oklahoma Monarch Society Executive Director Katie Hawk. “Through these regional events, we partner with growers to bring wildflowers and milkweed to underserved communities while increasing awareness about monarchs and other native pollinators.”

Visitor showing off their native plant haul at  Pollinator Party in the Park in Woodward @ Beau Leland

Hawk said western Oklahoma plays a critical role in the monarch butterfly migration, providing essential habitat for both spring and fall travelers. She added the festival gives residents a rare chance to purchase native plants locally and learn how to create habitat that supports declining pollinator populations. “Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from experts why creating habitat for monarchs is important and how their actions can help,” she said. “We hope these events inspire people across Oklahoma to create pollinator habitats and reduce harm from pesticides and herbicides.”

Hawk also emphasized the importance of collaboration. “Keep Oklahoma Beautiful has been a tremendous partner in helping us reach local communities,” she said. “Together, we’re working to plant a path for pollinators across our state.”

Megan Malone, program manager for Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, said the partnership grew from a shared mission. “Our Keep Route 66 Beautiful program brought us together, but what really sealed it was a shared belief that Oklahomans want to care for the place they call home,” she said. “Native plants are low-maintenance, use less water, and create better habitat for birds, butterflies, and bees — a win for both residents and the environment.”

Participants attending presentation at Pollinator Party in the Park in Woodward @Beau Leland

Route 66 Native Plant & Pollinator Festival

The event will include activities, installation of a pollinator habitat demonstration garden and booths from organizations such as the Oklahoma Biological Survey and the North Fork of Red River Conservation District. Attendees can receive expert advice and purchase hard-to-find plants, while the first 100 visitors at the Okies for Monarchs booth will receive a free milkweed plant and wildflower seed packet.

Short educational sessions throughout the afternoon will cover monarch migration, garden planning, community habitat building, and common milkweed myths.

Visitors will enjoy interactive experiences including:

  • Shop native plants from Oklahoma vendors, Sanctuary Gardens and Wild Roots
  • Grab FREE* starter milkweed plants and wildflower seed packets from Okies for Monarchs
  • Pick up the central/western regional seed mix and other native seeds from Johnston Seed Company
  • Enjoy hands-on activities for all ages with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, Johnston Seed Company, Oklahoma Biological Survey, and North Fork of Red River Conservation District
  • Purchase monarch-themed merchandise and habitat signs from Okies for Monarchs
  • Watch the installation of a 100 sq ft demonstration pollinator habitat garden
  • Ask questions and learn from local experts through presentations on monarchs, native wildflowers, milkweed, and pollinator habitats
  • Grab tasty treats from the Surf Bar food truck

Participants and partners include:

  • Okies for Monarchs
  • Keep Oklahoma Beautiful
  • Sanctuary Gardens
  • Johnston Seed Company
  • Oklahoma Biological Survey
  • Wild Roots
  • Oklahoma Department of Transportation
  • North Fork of Red River Conservation District

Learn more about the event by visiting: https://okiesformonarchs.org/events/elkcity-ok/

Download images: Route 66 Native Plant & Pollinator Party - Press Images