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 excited to move forward with the Monarch and Pollinator Native Garden Corridor Project, which will transform a small piece of city property into an important rest stop 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 built at a site known as “the Oasis,” a triangular wedge of land between the Highway 101 southbound off-ramp at Highway 41 and the Chevron station. City staff said the spot was chosen for its visibility and accessibility—as well as its strategic location roughly halfway between Monterey and Pismo Beach, a natural stopping point for migrating monarchs.
The effort grows out of broader work the city has been doing with its Central Coast Zoo on a series of conservation-focused initiatives.
“The project aligns 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 stewardship,” staff wrote in a Nov. 12 City Council report.
The UC Master Gardener Program of San Luis Obispo is also a key contributor. Program Coordinator Maria Murrietta said the collaboration is giving volunteers a new way to reach residents with practical, research-based horticulture guidance.
“Our program partnered with the zoo to develop regionally 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 a unique avenue for fulfilling our mission of providing research-based information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to residents of SLO County.”
Since the official partnership began in spring 2024, roughly 20 master gardener volunteers have collectively logged more than 1,700 hours at the zoo, she said.
One of them, landscape designer and volunteer Olwyn Kingery, created a complementary concept plan for the Monarch and Pollinator Native Garden Corridor at no cost. Her design features native shrubs, grasses, and pollinator-friendly plants, along with boulders, ornamental fencing, and decorative mulch.
Beyond ecological benefits, city officials say the project is also expected to enhance the look and feel of a prominent gateway into Atascadero.
“The project will contribute to the beautification of a main corridor area in the city, enhance the appearance of nearby neighborhoods and businesses, and create a more inviting and walkable environment,” Banish said.
The garden will double as a public demonstration space, offering 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 reserved specifically for tree planting and habitat restoration.
Funding will cover site preparation, planting, irrigation upgrades, boulders, fencing, and interpretive signage. Madrone Landscapes has been selected to install the garden and will provide five years of maintenance under a sponsorship agreement.
Work could begin “over the next couple of weeks,” Banish added, with installation expected to wrap up in December, weather permitting. ∆
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 7, 2025.
Great place to put a butterfly garden right at the corner of two major highways. At least Chevron is right there. ..you can wash the dead monarchs off your windshield before heading to the beach.
Not a mention here of butterflies competing for space with unhoused people. Isn’t that part of the story?