The National Wildlife Federation recently recognized Mayor Feinen for taking the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. Since 2016, Mayor Feinen has annually taken the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge in support of local and national efforts to help save the monarch butterfly. The City of Champaign participates by planting native plants which provide pollinator habitats at several sites around town, including the Second Street Basin, Preservation Pond, Glenn Park, the Upper Boneyard, E. Green Street, and near the U of I campus. Plans are also underway to increase native plantings near the Champaign Police Department and another median on Town Center Blvd.
Good news! Recent reports from California and Mexico show some early signs of population increases for monarchs overwintering in those warmer areas.