Native plants and pollinator habitat · Iowa

Ames SmartWatersheds Native Landscaping Rebate

Run by City of Ames Public Works - SmartWatersheds

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Up to $400 materials cost share for single-family homes; up to $1,200 for properties over 20,000 sq ft (min 300 sq ft)
Maximum
$400 per household
Who qualifies
City of Ames property owners (homeowners, HOAs, nonprofits, businesses; contractors excluded); not previous recipients.
Where
Property owners within Ames city limits.
Status
Open. Subject to availability of funds.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Replace lawn or bare area with native prairie or woodland plantings, an urban prairie strip or native turf (at least 100 sq ft) and claim materials cost.

Requirements

  • Minimum 100 sq ft planted area
  • Design must consider mature plant heights, sight distances and limit overhang over sidewalks and streets
  • Iowa native species
  • Owner must maintain (prune back in fall or spring)
  • Call Iowa One Call before digging
  • Receipts and photos within 30 days of completion
  • City may inspect

The plan or design it asks for

Design for approval showing planting area (map on form), considering mature heights and sight distance, submitted with the application.

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check City of Ames's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Identify area and prepare design
  2. 2Call Iowa One Call, kill existing vegetation, plant and mulch
  3. 3Complete Survey123 application with photos, map, species list and itemized receipt within 30 days
  4. 4After final approval a check is mailed

Timing and deadlines

not published

Receipts within 30 days of completion

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs

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