10/10/25, 7:34 AMManhattan Beach Pollinator Habitat Project | Rotary District 5280
Project Overview
Manhattan Beach Pollinator Habitat Project
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This is a General description of the Grant project. Outline in detail the humanitarian need your project will address, the intent of the project, how the project will be implemented, and how Rotarians will be directly involved in the project. Note that the Estimated budget is only the initial grant request amount; to outline details on the various budget items, including those from other funding sources, go to the Budget tab.
Grant Project: Manhattan Beach Pollinator Habitat Project Primary Sponsoring Club:Rotarians For Environmental Action Contact: Montgomery, Jim
Date Submitted: Sep. 22, 2025 at 11:24 a.m.
Project Total Budget:$2,202.25
Grant Budget: $2,202.25
Project Expected Income:$2,250.00
Grant Expected Income:$2,000.00
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Describe the project and the problem or need it will address, including the intended beneficiaries and how the project will benefit the community in need. Provide the estimated length of time needed to complete the project. If the application is for a District Community Grant or a District Vocational Scholarship Grant this application must be completed. Whether a Vocational Scholarship or a Vocational Training Team, the terminology should be considered interchangeable e.g. Vocational Scholar vs. project, Vocational Training Team vs. project and so on. (NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE INFORMATION IN ALL CATEGORIES BELOW)
The Rotarians for Environmental Action (REA) and other local Rotary clubs propose to install and maintain California native plant habitat for butterflies and other native pollinators on land adjacent to the Post Office in the City of Manhattan Beach. Interpretive signage will be designed, procured and installed.
This project will benefit the City of Manhattan Beach and surrounding communities in numerous ways; 1) rejuvenate and beautify a centrally-located area of the city with California native plants for the enjoyment of all, 2) provide critical habitat for California native pollinators and other wildlife, many of which are in decline and in danger of going extinct, 3) build and mentor a community of environmental stewards to install and maintain California native plant habitat at this, and potentially 10/10/25, 7:34 AMManhattan Beach Pollinator Habitat Project | Rotary District 5280
other locations, throughout the city, and 4) educate the public about the importance of California native plants and native pollinators via interpretive signage
The project will begin in the November/December 2025 time-frame and native plants installed no later than the end of February 2026 to take advantage of winter rains and lower temperatures. This ensures the native plants have time to get their roots established before rains diminish and temperatures increase. Interpretive signage will be designed and installed no later than August 2026, dependent upon gaining the necessary approvals from the City of Manhattan Beach.
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT & IMPACT
Describe how the benefiting community has been determined and what impact will be made by this project after grant funding has been fully expended. Describe how the project will offer an opportunity for non-Rotarian and, when possible, family participation.
(NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE INFORMATION IN ALL CATEGORIES BELOW) The Rotarians for Environmental Action successfully led and completed a similar project in the City of San Fernando in 2023-24, involving multiple Rotary Clubs, Rotaractors, Interactors and non-Rotary community members. REA was contacted by a Manhattan Beach resident and Rotary Club member who asked us to consider leading a similar project in the City of Manhattan Beach. REA was happy to accept this opportunity to collaborate with a new community and increase native habitat in another city.
Positive impacts that will result once grant funding has been expended include; 1) increased California native plant habitat that will provide beauty and enjoyment for the community as well as critical food and shelter for wildlife, and 2) stewardship events that provide opportunities for Rotarians and non-Rotarian community members, including families, to come together and learn about the importance of California native plants, how to plant them and how to care for them.
These impacts will last well beyond the duration of this grant period.
SUSTAINABILITY
Please explain the activities and safeguards that continue the project's impact after the grant has been fully expended. Describe how use was made of local resources and local knowledge. Where applicable, were steps taken to avoid deterioration or destruction of the local environment? (NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE INFORMATION IN ALL CATEGORIES BELOW) REA will provide for the long-term sustainability of this project by holding community-based stewardship events periodically to maintain this space. REA will be collaborating with the City of Manhattan Beach in the design and construction of the project, and will be training them on the care of the plants once they are installed. In addition, REA could potentially team with South Bay Parkland Conservancy, a local non-profit that leads multiple community-based habitat restoration projects using California native plants throughout the South Bay, to publicize stewardship events and mentor community volunteers at the events.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Please explain how the project will be implemented. How many people (volunteers) will be involved 10/10/25, 7:34 AMManhattan Beach Pollinator Habitat Project | Rotary District 5280
in the project, how many of those are Rotarians or family members of Rotarians? How many people (volunteers) under age 18 will be involved? Where will the project take place? What type of Advertisement and/or Publicity will take place prior to the event? Will there be Rotary Signage at the event? Will there be press coverage at the event? Who will be collecting all documents and receipts surrounding the project for uploading to the final grant closing report? Who will take photos to document the project and for the final grant closing report. (NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE INFORMATION IN ALL CATEGORIES BELOW) We envision many Rotarians & Non-Rotarians and other community groups working side-by-side to complete this project.
The steps in the implementation plan are as follows:
1) Design planting layout at the park, specify the California native plants to procure and buy them 2) Remove invasive, non-native plants and clean the area to be planted 3) Plant the area with native plants
4) Mulch the native plants
5) Install/repair existing drip irrigation
6) Design, procure and install interpretive signage (includes logos for all partners, including Rotary) There will be opportunities to include the cooperating organizations named above as well as other interested Rotarians and their clubs in various elements of this plan. Rotary club members will be encouraged to wear Rotary gear as well as bring their Rotary Club banner for display during events. We anticipate upwards of 100 or more Rotarians & Non- Rotarians will be involved in some or all aspects of the implementation plan.
EXPECTED EXPENSES
List all anticipated expenses for this project, including those that will be funded outside of the District grant portion. Please include a complete, detailed and itemized budget for the entire project.
Remember Documentation will be required to close your District Grant. The District Rotary Foundation Committee and The Rotary Foundation requires written receipts for all expenditures.
Description Supplier Currency Total Amount
Interpretive SignagePannier GraphicsUSD $1,210.00 $1,210.00 California Native
Plants
Devil Mountain
Nursery USD $992.25 $992.25
10/10/25, 7:34 AMManhattan Beach Pollinator Habitat Project | Rotary District 5280
Total: $2,202.25
EXPECTED INCOME
List each anticipated income source for this project:
District Grant Funds: Community - $2,000, Vocational Scholarship - $3,000 Club Contribution: Small clubs: 24 or fewer members (at least $250), Medium clubs: 25 to 49 members (at least $500), or Large clubs: 50 or more members (at least $750).
Other Sources of Income: (if any)
Partnering Clubs: The Primary club will be the applicant and reporting club for this grant, but all partnering clubs (no more than two partnering clubs, three total) will receive a grant award of $2,000 plus their respective cash contribution.
District Grant Funds: Total (for each club - Community $2,000, Vocational Scholarship - $3,000) Club Contributions: Total (amount based on each club size) Other Sources of Income: (if any)
NOTE: Only one check will be mailed to the Primary club for the total of the District Grant funding.
Description Funding Source Amount %
Club Contribution - Rotarians for
Environmental Action Club/Other $250.00 11.111%
District Grant District Grant $2,000.00 88.889%
Total: $2,250.00 100.000%
LOCAL CLUB PARTNERS
List any Partnering clubs within the District. Note that only one grant application needs to be submitted by the Primary club.
There are no Sponsoring Clubs specified for this application.
COOPERATING ORGANIZATIONS
Explanation: Cooperating Organizations are any other groups or organizations (other than partnering Rotary clubs) that are working with the sponsoring (Primary) club in either funding or implementing the project. Provide the name of the organization including its address and contact person. Attach a letter of participation from that organization that specifically states its responsibilities, how it will interact with Rotarians in this project, and the organization's agreement to cooperate in any financial review of activities connected with the project. Attach a letter of 10/10/25, 7:34 AMManhattan Beach Pollinator Habitat Project | Rotary District 5280
endorsement of the organization from the Rotarians in the project area.
(NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE INFORMATION IN ALL CATEGORIES BELOW) A few other Non-Rotarian entities that may provide funding and/or personnel to this project could be:
City of Manhattan Beach
City Hall
1400 Highland Ave Manhattan Beach CA 90266
We would discuss with the city what they would like to contribute to this project.
South Bay Parkland Conservancy
2215 Artesia Blvd. #1821
Redondo Beach, California 90278
The South Bay Parkland Conservancy, a local non-profit based in the South Bay since 2004, empowers communities to protect, tend, and nurture land, water, and life through advocacy, education, and hands-on stewardship. They could potentially help publicize stewardship events, drawing upon their base of thousands of volunteers, and SBPC could also potentially help staff and mentor volunteers at events.
We would discuss with SBPC if and how they would like to contribute to this project.
We could also reach out to other organizations such as: MB Botanical Gardens, Local Garden Clubs, Senior Citizens, Neptunians and Leadership Manhattan Beach.