Mayors Making Meaningful Moves to Protect Endangered Butterfly

The monarch butterfly’s Eastern populations has declined by 90% and Western populations by 99% in recent years. Photo: Elsbeth Lindner

Have you heard about the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge? It’s an initiative launched by the National Wildlife Federation in 2015 to encourage heads of local and tribal government across the U.S., Canada and Mexico to take action to help save the monarch butterfly – an iconic species whose Eastern populations have declined by 90% and Western populations by 99% in recent years. 

Additional objectives are to create habitats for pollinators, and to educate residents about how they can make a difference at home and in their community. 

Happily, several River Towns mayors have already signed up and implemented some of the action items on the list of 25. Pledge signers must commit to taking at least three of the actions, one from each section, headed Communications & Convening, Program & Demonstration Gardens, and Systems Change.  

Irvington’s mayor, Jon Siegel, signed up in March 2024, committing to engage with local gardening leaders and partners, and plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at a significant community location. As a result, and partnering with the Irvington Green Policy Task Force, and a large group of volunteers, a patch of the Old Croton Aqueduct trail, south of Main Street, has been cleared of invasives and a demonstration garden installed.  

Siegel confirms: “Irvington is interested in promoting a monarch and pollinator friendly environment because of the benefits to our environment. The concept was supported by our local gardening community and environmental advocates.” 

Tarrytown Mayor Karen Brown has planted two pollinator gardens on her own property. Photo supplied

Mayor Karen Brown of Tarrytown has been another keen supporter of the pledge. “The Village of Tarrytown has been taking steps to build a pollinator pathway for a few years now,” she said. “I signed the monarch pledge in support of the Village’s efforts. The Tarrytown Environmental Action Council [TEAC] and the Parks Department planted many gardens around the village, at parks and most recently the train station. TEAC has distributed seeds and guidance on planting a pollinator garden. Since signing the pledge, with guidance from them, I’ve planted two pollinator gardens on my property. It is fun and a rewarding way to make an immediate impact on the environment.” 

In Sleepy Hollow, Mayor Martin Rutyna first heard about the initiative in conversation with the mayor of Hastings-on-Hudson. “I continued conversations with Sleepy Hollow residents and decided that participating would help our Village and native pollinators alike,” he commented. The result has been a monarch demonstration garden near Village Hall. “The garden had zero cost to the residents of Sleepy Hollow and created a public space where we can show the value and beauty of native plants.” 

Not all mayors are on board. But some are leaning in the right direction. Briarcliff Manor, for example, while unwilling to lend the village’s name to outside causes, no matter how well intentioned, has established an Environmental Advisory Council and has many equivalent actions in the works.  

“We have made significant strides in educating the public about not just monarch-specific environmental improvements, but ecosystem-friendly solutions for many species of wildlife, birds, and insects,” says Deputy Mayor Peter Chatzky. “We’ve been working with DPW to enhance pollinators all over the village, piloting with an initiative at Pocket Park to create the first such pollinator pathway using all native plantings.” Chatzky lists other initiatives: a second pollinator pathway site, plans for a wildlife corridor, and signposting for native species. 

A garden was planted by the Tarrytown Parks Department at the Metro-North Station in the village. Photo supplied

One way or another, the message about native plants and environmentally friendly solutions seems to be percolating through. But we can always do more. Why leave it to the mayors? Anyone with a patch of garden can join in and plant pollinators too. 

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About the Author: Elsbeth Lindner