Atascadero is preparing to transform an overlooked stretch of land near Highway 41 into a vibrant habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators, thanks to a partnership with the Central Coast Zoo.
“The City of Atascadero is pleased to move forward with the Monarch and Pollinator Native Garden Corridor Project, which will transform a small piece of city property into an important resting place for monarchs and other pollinators,” said Terrie Banish, the city’s director of community services and promotions, in an email to New times.
The garden will be located in a location known as the “Oasis,” a triangular wedge of land between the southbound Highway 101 exit at Highway 41 and the Chevron station. City staff said the site was chosen for its visibility and accessibility — as well as its strategic location about halfway between Monterey and Pismo Beach, a natural stopping point for migrating monarchs.
The effort grows out of the city's broader work with its Central Coast Zoo on a range of conservation initiatives.
“The project is consistent with the city’s ongoing efforts to promote the Central Coast Zoo Atascadero and strengthen our community’s identity as a destination committed to sustainability and environmental protection,” staff wrote in a Nov. 12 City Council report.
San Luis Obispo’s UC Master Gardener Program also makes an important contribution. Program coordinator Maria Murrietta said the collaboration offers volunteers a new way to reach residents with practical, research-based guidance on gardening.
“Our program has worked with the zoo to develop region-specific plant displays and a pollinator garden to enhance learning opportunities for visitors,” Murrietta said in an email to New times. “This partnership has provided our program with a unique opportunity to fulfill our mission of providing SLO County residents with research-based information about home gardening, pest control and sustainable landscape practices.”
Since the official partnership began in spring 2024, around 20 volunteer master gardeners have collectively spent more than 1,700 hours at the zoo, she said.
One of them, landscape architect and volunteer Olwyn Kingery, created a complementary concept plan for the Monarch and Pollinator Native Garden Corridor free of charge. Their design includes native shrubs, grasses, and pollinator-friendly plants, as well as boulders, ornamental fencing, and decorative mulch.
Aside from the environmental benefits, city officials also expect the project to improve the look and feel of a prominent gateway to Atascadero.
“The project will help beautify a major corridor of the city, improve the appearance of surrounding neighborhoods and businesses, and create a more welcoming and pedestrian-friendly environment,” Banish said.
The garden doubles as a public demonstration space, providing signage and examples of native plants that residents can use as models for creating pollinator-friendly landscapes at home.
The $88,000 project is funded through the city's Tree Plant Fund, which is specifically reserved for tree planting and habitat restoration.
Funding includes site preparation, planting, irrigation upgrades, boulders, fencing and signage. Madrone Landscapes was selected to create the garden and will provide maintenance for five years as part of a sponsorship agreement.
Work could begin “in the next few weeks,” Banish added. The installation is expected to be completed in December, weather permitting. ∆
This article will be published from November 27th to December 7th, 2025.