Shelby Township, MI

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Saving the Monarch

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monarch pledge

The Charter Township of Shelby has committed to take action to help save the declining monarch butterfly and other pollinators.

Shelby Township is now part of an expanding North American network of municipalities working to create habitat in public parks, public landscaping, vacant lots, roadsides, medians, green roofs, backyard gardens and open spaces throughout the entire community.

Among the township's greatest assets are 1,200 acres of township parks, home to more than 100 species of native birds and animals, including nesting American bald eagles, and more than 80 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. The township has committed to making a home for the monarch butterfly and other pollinators within the township’s borders with the signing of the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, and looks forward to engaging residents in building more pollinator habitats throughout the community.

Found across the United States, monarch butterflies numbered around 1 billion in 1996. Today, their numbers have declined significantly as a result of numerous threats, particularly the loss of habitat due to cropland conversion, urban development, and agricultural practices. Degradation of wintering habitat in Mexico and California has also had a negative impact on the species.

Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors' Monarch Pledge, cities and municipalities commit each year to create habitat and educate residents on how to make a difference at home or in their community. Mayors who take the pledge commit to at least three of 30 action items to help save the monarch butterfly. These actions include creating a monarch-friendly garden at city hall, converting abandoned lots to monarch habitat, changing mowing schedules to allow milkweed to grow unimpeded, and 27 other possible actions.

monarch

Action Items Committed for Program Year 2021

Communications and Convening

Launch or maintain a public communication effort to encourage residents to plant monarch gardens at their homes or in their neighborhoods. (If you have community members who speak a language other than English, we encourage you to also communicate in that language; Champion Pledges must communicate in that language.)
Engage with Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
Create a community art project to enhance and promote monarch and pollinator conservation as well as cultural awareness and recognition.
Issue a Proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat.

Program and Demonstration Gardens

Systems Change

For a full list of action items, click here.

Over the course for the year, the township would like to work with residents and local groups to add more action items to our pledge.

If you would like to participate, or have ideas for actions the township may be able to complete, please contact Deputy Supervisor Chelsea Schneider at (586) 731-5154 or cschneider@shelbytwp.org.