The National Wildlife Federation

Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Program Year

2023

Links and Uploads

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Action Item Report

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Concord, North Carolina, USA

Concord, NC

William Dusch

Mayor, City of Concord NC

Pledge Summary

Concord, North Carolina, population 108,000, is the 10th largest and 6th fastest growing city in the state of NC. Concord is also a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat that partners with the community to deliver excellent service, and plans for the future while preserving, protecting, and enhancing the quality of life. Concord is concerned about its natural, historic, economic, and aesthetic resources and work to preserve and enhance them for future generations. Mayor Dusch is making the pledge to ensure Concord is a welcoming place for pollinators.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2023

Communications and Convening

  • Issue a Proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat.
  • Engage with Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
  • Engage with city parks and recreation, public works, sustainability, and other relevant staff to identify opportunities to revise and maintain mowing programs and milkweed / native nectar plant planting programs.
  • 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.)

Program and Demonstration Gardens

  • Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.
  • Host or support a monarch butterfly festival that is accessible to all residents in the community and promotes monarch and pollinator conservation, as well as cultural awareness and recognition.
  • Earn or maintain recognition for being a wildlife-friendly city by participating in other wildlife and habitat conservation efforts (i.e., National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program).
  • Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.
  • Host or support a native seed or plant sale, giveaway or swap.

Systems Change

  • Direct city property managers to consider the use of native milkweed and nectar plants at city properties where possible.