Keep Howe Beautiful explores

Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors' Monarch Pledge, U S cities, municipalities, and other communities are committing to create habitat for the monarch butterfly and pollinators, and to educate citizens about how they can make a difference at home and in their community

At the monthly meeting of the Keep Howe Beautiful organization, Starr Stanley, wife of Howe Mayor Jeff Stanley discussed with the group of a plan to make the monarch pledge by completing at least three of the 25 action items within two overachieving categories

KHB is trying to get on city council agenda to issue a proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat

They also plan to launch a public communication effort to encourage citizens to plant monarch gardens at their homes or in their neighborhoods

The group will also host or support a native plant sale or milkweed seed giveaway event They plan to incorporate this event as part of the Founders Day Festival on May 5

The program also calls for an increase in native plants, shrubs, and trees in city landscaping which the group discussed planting pollinator-friendly plants and trees at Reed Park in Western Hills

Keep Howe Beautiful even discussed naming the Summit Hill Park to "Monarch Park" with and area of milkweed designated as that is the monarch's primary source of food and fertilization process

If the proclamation is carried forward, the mayor will put forth the intital steps and then Keep Howe Beautiful will have to give a recap of progress throughout the year