Sow & Grow: Milam County Seed Library Expands with H-E-B Pollinators for Texas Grant

CAMERON, Texas — Milam County residents will soon have expanded, barrier-free access to native plant seeds and conservation workshops, thanks to a major statewide grant awarded to the El Camino Real Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program.

The local chapter has officially been selected as a 2026 award recipient under the Pollinators for Texas Initiative, securing dedicated financial support from H-E-B to bolster native pollinator conservation throughout Milam County.

The funding will directly benefit the chapter’s signature project, “Sow & Grow: Milam Seed Library,” enabling the installation of two new distribution sites. Designed as a community-driven conservation model, the seed libraries provide local residents with completely free access to native seeds alongside educational resources detailing the vital role pollinators play in our regional ecosystem.

By positioning seed libraries across multiple locations, the El Camino Real Chapter aims to ensure all Milam County residents—from urban gardeners to rural landowners—have the tools necessary to establish thriving native habitats at home. These micro-habitats offer essential forage and nesting grounds for native bees, butterflies, moths, and other essential species facing habitat fragmentation.

The initiative represents an ongoing collaboration between the statewide Texas Master Naturalist program and H-E-B’s Our Texas, Our Future commitment, working together to safeguard and restore native biodiversity across Texas communities.

Residents seeking additional details regarding the initiative and statewide pollinator efforts can visit the Texas Master Naturalist portal at txmn.tamu.edu/pollinators-for-texas.

Cameron Community Voice Editorial & Publication Checklist

• Photo Assets & Attribution: Attach the monarch butterfly feature graphic with the mandatory credit line: Photo by Cee Cee Parker, Coastal Prairie Chapter.
• Social Media Tagging: Pair the web release with the official project tags: #PollinatorsForTexas, #TexasMasterNaturalist, #OurTexasOurFuture, and #HEB.
• Hyperlink Verification: Ensure the live URL ([https://txmn.tamu.edu/pollinators-for-texas/](https://txmn.tamu.edu/pollinators-for-texas/)) is active in the digital body copy.
• Follow-Up Coverage: Coordinate with El Camino Real Chapter representatives to confirm the exact civic host buildings (e.g., local libraries, extension offices, or community centers) once the two new cabinet installations are completed.