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Grants Available to Replace Lawn with CA Native Plants

May 21, 2024

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Want free CA native plants to replace your lawn?

Image of lawn replacement

May 2024. Want free CA native plants to replace your lawn? Want to save water and money while creating a beautiful native garden that supports birds, pollinators, and other wildlife? The Conejo Valley Audubon Society (CVAS) is offering $250 grants through its “Lawns to Habitat” program and will help you turn your plot into a thriving native oasis for pollinators and birds. 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 “Lawns to Habitat” program offers $250 grants and one hour of free landscape design and gardening advice to help you convert your lawn to a native habitat. The grant application period is May 1st through June 15th. All grant applications will be reviewed by a panel of experienced CVAS members. Winning applicants will be notified by email.


Grantees will receive:


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

Eligibility Requirements


  • Applicants 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.

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 and calculate square footage by multiplying area width by length.
  • Photograph all lawn areas slated for removal. Do this before removal if you plan to apply for an additional turf removal rebate from the Metropolitan Water District (for more info on the MWD rebate CLICK HERE). 

Through the Summer 


Turn off all irrigation to the lawn (but remember to run a bubbler or drip to any trees that were relying on that water at the same time). Remove your lawn by sheet mulching, hand removal, mechanical turf cutting, and /or herbicide application. Please note this process typically 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 the 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.


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 15th, 2024.


Got questions? Call Erik Oberg at 202-906-9932 or CLICK HERE for more information and to apply.