Community Profile

Pledge Status

Complete

Pledge Date

Monday, March 14, 2022

Program Year

2022

Achievement

Leadership Circle

2022

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Action Item Report

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Bella Vista

Bella Vista, AR

Peter Christie

Mayor

Pledge Summary

Bella Vista is a city with numerous parks, trails and a very active gardening community nestled in the Ozarks in northwest Arkansas. Last year we planted numerous pollinator plants and plan to continue to do so in 2022. We have seen an increase in the monarch population within our city and look forward to continuous growth. We are proud to be part of the Mayor's Pledge and encourage others to join.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2022

Communications and Convening

  • Engage with community garden groups and urge them to plant native milkweeds and nectar-producing plants.
  • 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.
  • Engage with Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
  • Issue a proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat. This proclamation must incorporate a focus on monarch conservation.

Program and Demonstration Gardens

  • Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.
  • Plant milkweed and pollinator-friendly native nectar plants along roadsides, medians, or public rights-of-way.
  • Add or maintain native milkweed and nectar-producing plants in gardens in the community.
  • Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.

Systems Change

  • Change weed or mowing ordinances to allow for native prairie and plant habitats.
  • Increase the percentage of native plants, shrubs and trees that must be used in city landscaping ordinances and encourage use of milkweed, where appropriate.