In recent years, the Monarch Butterfly populations have plummeted at an alarming rate.  This decline threatens to deprive future generations of the wonder and beauty of the Monarch and is a warning sign of the worsening health of ecosystems.  As recently as 1996, the Monarch population wintering in Mexico was more than 1 billion.  Last year, the wintering population numbered only about 56 million—a decrease of more than 90 percent.  Monarch Butterflies, as well as other butterfly species, birds, bees and bats, help move pollen from one plant to another, fertilizing flowers and making it possible for plants to produce food needed to feed people and wildlife. 

In an effort to reverse the decline of the Monarch Butterfly, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Federation, and the cities of St. Louis, Missouri, and Austin, Texas, are asking cities to take action by launching a nationwide “Mayor’s Monarch Pledge.”  As part of the Pledge, municipalities are encouraged to provide Monarch habitats at public parks, median strips, community gardens and municipal buildings, and to issue a proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the Monarch Butterfly and the species’ need for habitat. 

Over the past year, the City’s Public Works Department has informally embraced this effort and has planted milkweed and native nectar plants in medians and public rights-of-way throughout the City.  The Department also created a Monarch butterfly habitat at the newly renovated Spirit of ’76 Mini Park.  To formalize the City’s participation in this nationwide campaign, it is requested that the City Council approve the attached proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the Monarch butterfly and the species' need for habitat and to proclaim and dedicate the Spirit of ’76 Mini Park a Monarch butterfly habitat.

None.  The Spirit of ’76 Mini Park was renovated to aid the City in its efforts to reduce water usage.  As part of the renovation, drought tolerant plants, including milkweed and native nectar plants, were planted to create the Monarch Butterfly Habitat.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Approve the attached proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the Monarch Butterfly and the species’ need for habitats, and to dedicate the Spirit of ’76 Mini Park as a Monarch Butterfly Demonstration Garden and Habitat.