Mayor Bynum Takes the National Wildlife Federation’s “Mayors’ Monarch Pledge” to Help Save the Monarch Butterfly

4/16/2018

Mayor G.T. Bynum took the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, committing to help the monarch and other pollinators. Tulsa is now part of a national collaboration of mayors and local government chief executives to help save the declining monarch butterfly. 

While monarchs are found across the United States — numbering some 1 billion in 1996 — their numbers have declined significantly in recent years.

Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, cities and municipalities commit to create habitat and educate citizens on the ways they can make a difference at home or in their community. Mayors who take the pledge commit to at least three of 25 action items to help save the monarch butterfly. Tulsa has committed to eight action items:

• Issue a proclamation on April 13, 2018 to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat (proclamation attached).
• Launch a public communication effort to encourage citizens to plant monarch gardens in their neighborhoods,
• Communicate with community garden groups and urge them to plant native milkweeds and nectar-producing plants.
• Convene City Park and Streets staff to identify opportunities for revised mowing programs and milkweed/native nectar planting programs.
• Host or support a native plant sale or milkweed seed giveaway event.
• Plant a monarch-friendly demonstration garden.
• Plant milkweed and native nectar plants in medians and public rights-of-way.
• Support a city monarch butterfly festival.

“We are combining efforts with partner groups across the city, including the Tulsa Zoo and Tulsa Garden Center, to do our part in helping save the monarch butterfly and to make Tulsa a special environment for monarchs,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said.

“Mayors and other local government officials play a pivotal role in advancing monarch butterfly conservation in urban and suburban areas,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “By working together we can ensure that every American child has a chance to experience majestic monarchs in their backyards and communities.”

Learn more at NWF.org/MayorsMonarchPledge and get more updates from the National Wildlife Federation at NWF.org/News.