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Mayor's Monarch Pledge
Piedmont is a Mayors’ Monarch Pledge City since 2018
What is the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge?
Mayors and other local and tribal government chief executives are taking action to help save the monarch butterfly, an iconic species whose populations have declined by 90% in the last 20 years and is on the brink of extinction. Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors' Monarch Pledge, U.S. cities, municipalities, and other communities are committing to create habitat for the monarch butterfly and pollinators, and to educate citizens about how they can make a difference at home and in their community. Since the monarch's migration spans the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, the pledge expanded to these countries through new tri-national partnerships in 2017. There are four steps to taking and implementing the pledge: (1) Take the pledge. (2) Specify Actions to meet the pledge to help raise awareness and conservation efforts for the Monarch butterfly. (3) Take Action. (4) Report Progress. As of January 2019, there we are one of only four communities in the OKC metro area that is taking action to save the Monarch butterfly in this way.
How Piedmont has been and continues to be part of this important cause:
Through Parks & Rec, we have engaged in ongoing public communication throughout our community for Monarch butterfly conservation via social media, Monarch Watch milkweed giveaways, working with Piedmont Public Schools to promote conservation and awareness of the need to save the Monarch butterfly through school projects on the state of the worldwide Monarch population, caterpillar rearing and release, and the building of a certified Monarch Watch Waystation and NWF Wildlife Habitat at Piedmont Community Park. We hope to continue to inspire our citizens to take action themselves to plant milkweed, cease use of pollinator-killing pesticides, develop pollinator-friendly mowing and landscape practices and spread the word to family, friends, and neighbors on how to join the Monarch conservation effort!
How can Piedmont citizens get involved?
YOU can help make a real difference in the Monarch conservation effort! It’s easier than you might think. Follow these links to learn more about native plants and species specifically geared toward Monarchs, how to find milkweed locally or apply for milkweed grants for your home or school, how to attract Monarchs and other pollinators, what NOT to do, and how to encourage others to join in the cause. Be sure to follow the Piedmont Parks & Rec Facebook page, as we post valuable information from time to time on the Monarch conservation effort in our community, state and region.