Native plants and pollinator habitat · Maine

South Portland Resilient Yards Program

Run by City of South Portland Sustainability Office (with Cumberland County SWCD and Maine Audubon)

SeasonalLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Free compost, mulch and a set of 8 native plants per participating yard, plus volunteer coaching
Who qualifies
South Portland residents with a yard; apply via Google form. Program has helped 230 yards since 2023.
Where
South Portland residents with a yard.
Status
Seasonal. 2026 applications closed May 1, 2026; next round expected spring 2027 (not confirmed)
Type of payment
Free item
Official program page

What you do

Get paired with a volunteer coach who helps you design and install a small native pollinator habitat garden in your yard (cardboard-method lawn replacement), using free program materials.

Requirements

  • Apply by the application deadline (2026 deadline May 1, 2026)
  • Be paired with a volunteer coach, set a schedule and install the garden at your site
  • Plants are chosen each year with Maine Audubon
  • City asks participants to follow the city landcare ordinance restricting synthetic pesticides and fertilizer (on city page)
  • Exact planting size and maintenance commitments not published on the page

How to apply

  1. 1Review the 2026 Resilient Yards program summary on the city page
  2. 2Fill out the Google form linked on the page by May 1, 2026
  3. 3Get matched with a volunteer coach and schedule a site visit
  4. 4Coach and you design and install the garden with the free compost, mulch and 8 native plants

Timing and deadlines

Season runs spring to early summer after application deadline (exact dates in 2026 summary PDF, not read)

2026 resident application May 1; coach application March 20

Combining it with other programs

not published

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 See something out of date?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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