The National Wildlife Federation

Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Monday, December 19, 2022

Program Year

2023

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Action Item Report

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City of Richland Hills

Richland Hills, TX

Ed Lopez

Mayor

Pledge Summary

The city of Richland Hills is a small community in the middle of the giants in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. The 7,950 residents are very proud of our small town and county vibe that our city offers. Mayor Lopez approached staff about this opportunity 18 months ago. Since, staff has been adding staff, planning programming and reorganizing the park system to accommodate the execution of fulfilling the tasks of this wonderful program. Our eager citizens already love natural areas and wildlife, so pledging to be a part of the Mayor's Monarch Pledge was an exciting possibility for our community. Richland Hills is excited to add wildflower area, nectar gardens, new programs, and community education to our recreation palette to help increase Monarch habitat.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2023

Communications and Convening

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Issue a Proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat.

Program and Demonstration Gardens

  • Host or support a native seed or plant sale, giveaway or swap.
  • Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.
  • Launch or maintain an outdoor education program(s) (e.g., at schools, after-school programs, community centers and groups) that builds awareness and creates habitat by engaging students, educators, and the community in planting native milkweed and pollinator-friendly native nectar plants (i.e., National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA Schoolyard Habitats program and Monarch Mission curriculum).
  • Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.

Systems Change

  • Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.