The National Wildlife Federation

Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Program Year

2023

Links and Uploads

View Links and Uploads

Action Item Report

Download Report

City of Dana Point

Dana Point, CA

Mike Frost

Mayor

Pledge Summary

The City of Dana Point is a beachside community in southern California that is home to over 30,000 residents. Dana Point is named after author/adventurer Richard Henry Dana Jr. who described the area as the "only romantic spot on the coast" in his book Two Years Before the Mast. Dana Point has long been a stop over for the western Monarch Butterfly during their migration, so much so that one of our coastal communities is called Monarch Beach. The City has committed to creating Monarch habitat throughout the community to ensure that Monarch butterflies continue to have a place to rest, relax or call home in Dana Point.

Community Spotlight

b7413d88-7096-48f1-ac61-38872f6f95cb

Sea Terrace Park

Day one of the 2022 habitat workdays. Volunteers completely cleared room for new native plant growth.

Action Items Committed for 2023

Communications and Convening

  • Engage with gardening leaders and partners (e.g., Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Nature Centers, Native Plant Society Chapters , other long-standing and influential community leaders) to support monarch butterfly conservation.
  • 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.

Program and Demonstration Gardens

  • Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.
  • Launch, expand, or continue an invasive species removal program that will support the re-establishment of native habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
  • Initiate or support community science (or citizen science) efforts that help monitor monarch migration and health.
  • 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

  • Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.
  • Remove milkweed from the list of noxious plants in city weed / landscaping ordinances (if applicable).