The City of Bloomington has joined communities across the country in supporting monarch butterfly conservation through participation in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, an initiative led by the National Wildlife Federation.
The pledge brings together cities, municipalities and tribal governments committed to reversing the decline of monarch butterfly populations by creating habitat, educating residents and promoting pollinator-friendly practices.
“Protecting monarchs shows the values we care about as a community,” said Mayor Tim Busse. “When we make our landscapes healthier, everyone benefits, from residents to pollinators and the next generation.”
As part of the pledge, Bloomington will continue and expand efforts already underway to support pollinators and restore native habitats. The City maintains prairie areas at the Public Works building to provide habitat for monarchs and other pollinators.
Future efforts include the Nine Mile Creek Restoration project, which began this year and will restore approximately 50 acres of savanna, prairie and wet meadow habitat. The project includes the removal and management of invasive species such as buckthorn, as well as the installation of educational signage about pollinator habitats planned for 2027.
Bloomington also supports pollinator education through its partnership with the Richfield Bloomington Watershed Management Organization, which provides a Hennepin County educator to teach students about pollinator habitats.
In addition, the City hosts annual invasive species removal events, including the Garlic Mustard Pull and Buckthorn Bust, to help restore native ecosystems that support monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Residents and organizations engaged in pollinator-supporting activities are encouraged to share their efforts with the City by emailing sustainability@bloomingtonmn.gov. Bloomington will report on its progress as part of the pledge.
