Mayor's Office

Madison reaffirmed its commitment to support pollinator health, authorizing the city of Madison to take the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. Pollinators are essential for the resilience of our food systems, the health of our environment and of course add immensely to our local natural beauty. Since 2017, the City of Madison has participated in the Bee City USA program. As part of this program, City agencies offer educational opportunities, host plant sales, collect native seed, install rain gardens and pollinator plantings and control invasive species. The City’s participation in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge will complement and bolster ongoing Bee City USA efforts. Please see below for the full text of the resolution.

Title

Reaffirming the City of Madison's Commitment to Supporting Pollinator Health and Authorizing the City of Madison to Take the Mayors Monarch Pledge.

Body

WHEREAS, in 2017, the City of Madison became a certified Bee City per the requirements outlined by BEE CITY USA®; and,
 
WHEREAS, pollinator-friendly communities can benefit local and regional economies through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and increased demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local nurseries and growers; and,

WHEREAS, the loss of pollinators, including honey bees, native bees, bats, birds and butterflies, across the country have been severe over the past few decades; and,

WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators have experienced population declines due to a combination of habitat loss, use of pesticides and the spread of pests and diseases; and,

WHEREAS, the Rusty Patched Bumblebee — a resident species at Olbrich Gardens and once commonly seen in 28 states, including Wisconsin, as recently as the 1990’s — has become the first bumblebee species to be listed as endangered under federal law; and,

WHEREAS, in 2014, the Madison Common Council passed RES-14-00747 directing the Madison Food Policy Council to initiate a Pollinator Protection Task Force to study pollinator health and make recommendations on how the City can support pollinators; and,

WHEREAS, in 2017, the Madison Common Council accepted the report of the Pollinator Protection Task Force as the guiding document for the City of Madison to address the issue of pollinator decline and directing the Madison Food Policy Council, with assistance of city staff, to implement the recommendations; and,

WHEREAS, in order to enhance understanding among local government staff and the public about the vital role that pollinators play and what each of us can do to sustain them, Madison chooses to support and encourage pollinator habitat creation and enhancement on both public and private land; and,

WHEREAS, the North American monarch population has declined by more than 90% in the past two decades; and,

WHEREAS, the migration route of the Eastern population includes the Great Lakes region, and many cities, towns and counties have a critical role to play to help save the monarch butterfly; and,

WHEREAS, in 2017, the Madison Common Council authorized the City of Madison to take the Mayor's Monarch Pledge; and,

WHEREAS, Olbrich Botanical Gardens has been certified as a Colossal Monarch Way Station by Monarch Watch; and,

WHEREAS, Madison General Ordinance 27.05 permits residents to plant natural landscapes in their yards, which include pollinator or rain gardens; and,

WHEREAS, many residents of the City of Madison are also creating habitat for monarchs and other pollinators on private property; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Madison has a goal of 1,000 rain gardens, with a current count of 635 registered gardens, and invites residents to participate; and,

WHEREAS, a rain garden, particularly one with native plants, can attract beneficial birds, hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Monarch butterflies can thrive when rain gardens have milkweed and blazing star species. Birds can eat the native plant seeds during the fall and winter,
 
WHEREAS, in 2020, the City of Madison reaffirmed its commitment to supporting pollinator health (RES-20-00412)

BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Madison reaffirms its commitment to supporting pollinator health, and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Madison will sign the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge and reaffirms its commitment to continuing to implement Action Items to support the North American Monarch butterfly.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the City of Madison thanks those residents who have already installed rain or pollinator gardens, and encourages all residents who are able to do so, to plant pollinator rain gardens or native pollinator plantings on their property.