Naperville pledges support to Monarch butterfly

Naperville Park District property will become a more inviting environment for Monarch butterflies and other native pollinators, according to a resolution passed by the park board.

The idea for a resolution came from a local advocacy group, the DuPage Monarch Project, whose members approached the park district in October with a request to further enhance Monarch butterfly habitat already in the district's parks and to increase awareness of the Monarch's plight.

The resolution explains that the Monarch butterfly population has declined 90 percent in the past two decades, partly due to the loss of milkweed plants, which are the only plants on which Monarchs lay their eggs and are the caterpillar's only food source.

"DuPage Monarch Project is pleased Naperville Park District has joined Warrenville Park District, Fox Valley Park District, city of Warrenville, city of Elmhurst and the village of Carol Stream in pledging to take action on behalf of Monarchs," said Lonnie Morris, coordinator of the DuPage Monarch Project.

"DuPage County is strategically located in the central flyway used by the Monarchs for their migrating journeys and is in a position to make a contribution to their recovery. With the leaders' commitment and the generous number of acres available in the parks, the park district will have many opportunities to make an impact for Monarchs," he said.

One of the Naperville Park District's core values is environmental education, stewardship and sustainability.

"The Monarch butterfly resolution is consistent with the park district's ongoing initiatives to maintain milkweed and other native pollinator plants in our parks," said Brad Wilson, director of recreation.

"The park district also offers nature-based classes, educational information on its website and interpretive signs at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, and throughout the district, explaining the benefits of native plants."

Going forward, the resolution authorizes park district staff to take the following actions:

• Increase plantings of milkweed and other native pollinator plants on park district land.

• Install signs near Monarch-friendly plantings to increase public awareness.

• Provide education on how to design a Monarch way station.

• Refrain from using pesticides and herbicides in areas with milkweed during Monarch butterfly breeding periods.

• Refrain from using insecticides in milkweed areas at all times.

Emily Hansen and Kathleen McTighe are Naperville residents involved in the Monarch Project who were part of the group that presented their concerns to the park board.

"I joined this project because I'm worried about the decline of Monarch butterflies and want to support them by providing suitable habitat, especially since milkweed is so important to their survival," Hansen said.

"To me, the presence and health of Monarch butterflies, bees and other pollinators are signs of a healthy environment. When pollinators are flying around plants, searching for nectar, and moving pollen it shows a system that works."