Minnetonka pledges to protect monarch butterfly and other pollinators

Mayor Declares July as Monarch and Pollinator Awareness Month

At the June 12, 2017 city council meeting, the council passed a resolution authorizing the City of Minnetonka to participate in the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge.

At the June 26, 2017 city council meeting, Minnetonka Mayor Terry Schneider declared the month of July as "Monarch and Pollinator Awareness Month."

Minnetonka Pledges to Help Save Monarch Butterflies

In order to participate in the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, cities must commit to at least three of 24 action steps.

Minnetonka is taking a leadership role by committing to enact 21 of the 24 steps in 2017 (the remaining three steps will be addressed over time).  Since 2015, more than 300 cities nationwide committed to fulfilling at least three steps.

Some of the actions steps that Minnetonka has already completed include:

• Host a native plant sale
• Raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators
• Expand invasive species removal programs
• Change weed/mowing ordinances to allow for native habitats
• Integrate monarch/pollinator habitat conservation into city plantings

About the Pledge

Government officials across the continent are taking steps to help save the monarch butterfly, as the monarch population declined by 90 percent in the last two decades. By taking the pledge, Minnetonka is committing to creating habitat for pollinators and educating residents how to do the same.

Attend Pollinator Field Day July 12

Join the City of Minnetonka and Nine Mile Creek Watershed District for the first-ever Pollinator Field Day, July 12 from 4–6 p.m. at Lone Lake Park. Enjoy a native plant sale, educational demonstrations, and hands-on activities while learning how to attract and protect pollinators.

View the complete schedule of events.