Mayor's Monarch Pledge Proclamation Remarks

Link to full Mayor's Monarch Pledge Proclamation: https://www.maplegrovemn.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/3767?fileID=14690

Link to Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources information for residents: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/residential-pollinator-habitat

University of Minnesota Extension resources to help pollinators: https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/flowers-pollinators

Bluethumb.org info on Lawns to Legumes: https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/

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Remarks below: 

Mr. Mayor. I am thrilled that the city has signed onto the Monarch Pledge and I’m grateful for this proclamation which signals the city’s dedication to doing our part in protecting the vitality of the monarch butterfly.

This work has already started in Maple Grove. I’m proud of the beautiful native plantings the city has installed at Central Park and the pollinator plantings the Rotary Club of Maple Grove has done at some of our schools. My church, Maple Grove Lutheran, added a pollinator section to their community garden last year. I think this proclamation will inspire others to act.

Last summer, I asked professional naturalist Ab Fleming to provide residents with public education in a webinar format. They discussed ways that residents can help, which are in line with this proclamation. I want to share a couple of the resources They shared with us. Residents can find information on the MN Board of Water & Soil Resources website. The BWSR has published a “Planting for Pollinators” article that you can download from there. The University of Minnesota Extension also has some information about pollinators on their website. BlueThumb.org is another resource for residents that includes education, and grant opportunities residents can apply for such as the Lawns to Legumes program which includes cost-share funding of up to $350 to create pollinator habitat in their yards. They’re currently accepting grant applications for Fall 2023. With that, I’ll happily move the item. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.