Community Profile

Pledge Status

Complete

Pledge Date

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Program Year

2022

Achievement

Leadership Circle

2022

Links and Uploads

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Action Item Report

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City of Davis

Davis, CA

Gloria Partida

Mayor

Pledge Summary

The City of Davis has a population just shy of 67,000 and is located in the Central Valley of northern California about 11 miles west of Sacramento. Davis has a long history of environmental stewardship which includes the support of monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Our urban wildlife, open space, stormwater pollution prevention, integrated pest management, and water conservation programs have long included the use of nectar bearing native plants and least toxic pest management as key elements. In addition to using and promoting pollinator friendly landscaping, Davis has had direct influence on monarch butterflies via collaboration with local researchers and community members to propagate and plant milkweed on suitable city properties. The City of Davis is committed to supporting monarch butterflies and we look forward to implementing additional actions to build greater public awareness and support of the species.

Community Spotlight

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Monarch Community Art

One of several public art installations in Davis celebrating the monarch butterfly.

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Central Park Garden

One of several community gardens supporting monarch butterfly and other pollinators.

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25 Years of IPM

Davis was an early adopter of Integrated Pest Management and least toxic pest control.

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 Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
  • Engage with developers, planners, landscape architects, and other community leaders and organizers engaged in planning processes to identify opportunities to create monarch habitat.
  • Create a community art project to enhance and promote monarch and pollinator conservation as well as cultural awareness and recognition.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Add or maintain native milkweed and nectar-producing plants in gardens in the community.
  • Launch, expand, or continue an invasive species removal program that will support the re-establishment of native habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
  • Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.

Systems Change

  • Reduce or eliminate the use of herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals that are harmful to monarchs and pollinators and urban wildlife.
  • 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.
  • Launch, expand, or continue one or more ordinances to reduce light pollution to benefit urban wildlife.