Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Program Year

2023

Links and Uploads

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Action Item Report

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Town of Bedford

Katonah, Bedford Hills, and Bedford, NY

Ellen Calves

Supervisor

Pledge Summary

The Town of Bedford is home to over 17,000 residents located in northeast Westchester County, New York (about an hour north of NYC) with three hamlets: Katonah, Bedford Hills and Bedford Village. The Town Conservation Board and Open Space Acquisition Committee have led land and natural resource preservation efforts for many years and the Town's partnership with Bedford 2030, Healthy Yards, and Westchester Pollinators has led to enhanced town policies and resident action around climate change, removal of invasive species, planting of native plants, a seasonal ban of gas powered leaf blowers, an iNaturalist challenge, the Bedford Pollinator Pathway, and resident education. Supervisor Ellen Calves is thrilled to take the Monarch Pledge to renew Bedford's pledge to protect not only the monarch but all pollinators and beneficial insects to our natural world.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2023

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, expand, or continue an invasive species removal program that will support the re-establishment of native habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

Systems Change ▸

Change ordinances so herbicides, insecticides, or other chemicals used in the community are not harmful to pollinators.
Remove milkweed from the list of noxious plants in city weed / landscaping ordinances (if applicable).
Direct city property managers to consider the use of native milkweed and nectar plants at city properties where possible.
Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.
Adopt ordinances that support reducing light pollution.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Supervisor Ellen Calves	2023	3/23/2023		View Pledge

The National Wildlife Federation