Community Profile

Pledge Status

Complete

Pledge Date

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Program Year

2023

Achievement

2023

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Action Item Report

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Town of Normal

Normal, IL

Chris Koos

Mayor

Pledge Summary

The Town of Normal, home of Illinois State University, is located in Central Illinois. The northern two-thirds of the state was originally covered in prairie land. And while Illinois is known as "The Prairie State", most of the state's prairies are gone as the majority were converted to agricultural fields. The monarch butterfly, the state insect, had lived on these prairies. Milkweed and other flowering plants are needed to help restore the lost prairie habitat. The Town of Normal is committed to preserving and restoring native prairie plantings that serves both as an aesthetic and recreational amenity while providing wildlife habitat, especially for the monarch butterfly.

Community Spotlight

Perennial plants overtake annuals in Normal

Prior to 2020, most of the landscape beds in Normal's parks and municipal properties were planted with a multitude of annual flowers. Today, to help increase pollinator habitat, these beds primarily consist of nectar-producing perennials.

Fransen Nature Area Explodes

Wildflowers are abundant in the Fransen Nature Area, providing high levels of nectar for our local pollinators. The park is a favorite for photography enthusiasts.

Underwood Park Monarch Butterfly Fun Fact Signs

Monarch butterfly fun-fact signs at Underwood Park emphasizes our commitment to preserving and restoring native Illinois prairie that provides much-needed habitat for the monarch butterfly.

Monarchs in Maxwell

The disc golf course in Maxwell Park continues to provide native habitat for the monarch butterfly. Milkweed, goldenrod, and other nectar producing wildflowers are actively growing in the tallgrass areas on the course.

From Roses to Wildflowers at the Normandy Garden

The former rose garden on the campus of the old Illinois Soldier's and Sailor's Childrens School has been transformed into a picturesque perennial garden.

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.

Program and Demonstration Gardens ▸

Launch, expand, or continue an invasive species removal program that will support the re-establishment of native habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Add or maintain native milkweed and nectar-producing plants in gardens in the community.
Plant milkweed and pollinator-friendly native nectar plants along roadsides, medians, or public rights-of-way.

Systems Change ▸

Launch, expand, or continue an effort to change municipal planting ordinances and practices to include more native milkweed and native nectar producing plants at city properties.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Mayor Chris Koos	2025	1/10/2025		View Pledge
Mayor Chris Koos	2024	1/10/2024	Signatories	View Pledge
Mayor Chris Koos	2023	1/12/2023	Signatories	View Pledge
Mayor Chris Koos	2022	2/25/2022	Signatories	View Pledge
Mayor Chris Koos	2021	3/30/2021	Signatories	View Pledge