Home / Environment / Oklahoma Farmer Reclaims Land for Butterflies
Oklahoma Farmer Reclaims Land for Butterflies
18 Oct
Summary
- 130 acres restored for pollinator habitat after 7 years.
- Native grasses and flowers replaced introduced vegetation.
- Farm now serves as educational site for conservationists.
For nearly 70 years, Patrick Bell's family farmed land in Johnston County, Oklahoma, primarily raising cattle. Over time, the fields became dominated by introduced grasses, and Bell noticed a decline in monarch butterflies and other pollinators during their autumn migration.
Inspired by a lecture in 2016, Bell co-founded the Oklahoma Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative. He then embarked on a seven-year project to restore 130 acres of his family's land into a pollinator habitat. This involved experimenting with various planting methods and land management techniques.
Bell collaborated with conservation agencies like the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the NRCS. He utilized a no-till drill, funded in part by the Chickasaw Nation, to successfully establish native grasses and flowering plants. The restored acreage now provides crucial habitat for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
The project, completed by July 2026 according to a US Fish and Wildlife Service report, aims to serve as an educational resource. Bell hopes the land will be available in perpetuity for students and future land managers to learn about habitat restoration and conservation practices.
