HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIII-18 2022 Mayors' Monarch Pledge
City Council Memorandum
To: Mayor Fasbender & City Councilmembers
From: Chris Jenkins, Parks & Recreation Director
Date: April 18, 2022
Item: Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Day
Council Action Requested: Authorize Mayor to sign the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge
and proclaim April 18th, 2022 as Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Day 2022.
Background Information: The Monarch butterfly population has been in decline
for a variety of reasons in recent history. Recent population estimates suggest only
100 million butterflies exist today where over 350 million Monarchs used to flutter
about.
Many communities across the United States and North America have taken action
to provide productive Monarch habitat. These efforts are intended to provide food
and habitat for both adult Monarchs and their young.
Hastings has many opportunities to enhance Monarch habitat both on private and
public lands. The City, with parks, trail corridors, and natural areas has an
opportunity to take action and educate residents and install / maintain desirable
Monarch habitat. Hastings first took the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge in 2017, and
continued reporting progress for a few years, it is time to re-pledge and continue
tracking actions and progress.
Specific actions the City can implement in 2022 include:
1. Issue a proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the Monarch
butterfly and the specie’s need for habitat.
2. Convene City Parks and Public Works department staff and identify
opportunities for revised mowing programs and milkweed / native nectar
plant planting programs.
3. Convert vacant or underutilized public land to pollinator friendly habitat.
The City must commit to implementing a minimum of 3 actions in 2022 to gain
recognition as a signatory by the National Wildlife Foundation. I believe we can
easily implement the 3 actions listed above in 2022 and look to implement
additional actions in future years. As we progress through year one, we may find
opportunities to implement additional actions and gain a greater level of recognition.
If we are able to reach 8 action implementations, the Mayor and City would be
recognized as a member of the “Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Leadership Circle”.
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In addition to (1) Taking the Pledge, (2) Specifying Actions, and (3) Taking Action,
we must also Report Progress. The reporting process is simply reporting progress
on a quarterly basis through online survey forms. The reporting process will be
handled by the Parks & Recreation Director or designated staff.
Financial Impact:
Will remain within annual budget allocations.
Advisory Commission Discussion:
None
Council Committee Discussion:
None
Attachments:
• Proclamation - Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Day
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Declaring April 18th, 2022 as Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Day
In the City of Hastings, MN
WHEREAS, The monarch butterfly is an iconic North American species whose multigenerational migration and
metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly has captured the imagination of millions of Americans;
and
WHEREAS, Both the western and eastern monarch populations have seen significant declines with less than one
percent of the western monarch population remaining, while the eastern population has fallen by as
much as ninety percent; and
WHEREAS, The City of Hastings recognizes that human health ultimately depends on well-functioning
ecosystems and that biodiverse regions can better support food production, healthy soil and air
quality and can foster healthy connections between humans and wildlife ; and
WHEREAS, Cities, towns and counties have a critical role to play to help save the monarch butterfly, and The
City if Hastings is striving to become a leader; and
Date
Mary Fasbender, Mayor
WHEREAS, On April, 18th, 2022 I Mayor Mary Fasbender signed the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’
Monarch Pledge and have officially committed to taking meaningful action to protect the monarch
butterfly; and
WHEREAS, The City of Hastings has committed to Issuing this proclamation, declaring April 18th, 2022 as
Mayor’s Monarch Pledge Day in the City of Hastings, converting vacant or underutilized public land
to pollinator friendly habitat, and engaging Parks and Public Works staff in identifying opportunities
to revise and maintain mowing programs and milkweed/native nectar plant planting programs; and
WHEREAS, Every resident of The City of Hastings can make a difference for the monarch by planting native
milkweed and nectar plants to provide habitat for the monarch and pollinators in locations where
people live, work, learn, play and worship; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that April 18th, 2022 shall be known as “MAYORS’ MONARCH
PLEDGE DAY” in the City of Hastings, Minnesota, and encourage all residents to participate in
community activities that support and celebrate monarch conservation.
Emily King, Deputy City Clerk
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