Community Profile

Pledge Status

Complete

Pledge Date

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Program Year

2023

Achievement

Leadership Circle

2023

Links and Uploads

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Action Item Report

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City of Dallas

Dallas, TX

Eric Johnson

Mayor of Dallas

Pledge Summary

The City of Dallas in North Central Texas is located in the middle of the monarch butterfly migration path. Dallas is home to more than 400 park properties covering more than 23,000 acres, including 200 acres of Texas Blackland Prairie remnants. This means our city is well positioned to help save the monarch butterfly by planting gardens, restoring habitats, conducting educational outreach activities, and more. Dallas is eager to bolster its existing and begin new conservation efforts to protect monarchs and all pollinators.

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Community Spotlight

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Update to Dallas Parks IPM Plan

In 2023, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department start and should complete a review of the Department's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan. This effort should lead to more environmentally friendly practices.

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2023 BioBlitz Plant Surveys

In 2023, Community Scientists entered over 1,100 species of plants including 10 species of milkweed or milkweed associates. This is critical to pollinator conservation.

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Prairie Management 2023

The City of Dallas continues to work on the management and restoration of ~200 acres of blackland prairie. Prairie units are critical to pollinator conservation.

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Parks Conservation Team

In 2023, the Park and Recreation Department hired a second biologist, and Supervisor-Pesticide Applicator. These new positions will help implement plans like the updated IPM plan, Urban Forest Master Plan, and CECAP habitat initiatives.

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Conservation Outreach 2023

City staff conducted over 50 presentations on a variety of conservation topics from local garden clubs to national convention audiences. Topics included pollinator conservation, prairie management, Emerald Ash borer, and natural resource planning.

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Forestry Technical Team

Interdepartmental task force to implement the Urban Forest Master Plan, and coordinate conservation efforts across departments. Coordinates tree planting efforts, conservation related presentations, and works with external stakeholders.

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Action Items Committed for 2023

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.
  • Create a community-driven educational conservation strategy, initiative, or practice that focuses on and benefits local, underserved residents.
  • 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.
  • Earn or maintain recognition for being a wildlife-friendly city by participating in other wildlife and habitat conservation efforts (i.e., National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program).
  • Initiate or support community science (or citizen science) efforts that help monitor monarch migration and health.
  • Launch, expand, or continue an invasive species removal program that will support the re-establishment of native habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

Systems Change

  • Reduce or eliminate the use of herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals that are harmful to monarchs and pollinators and urban wildlife.
  • Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.
  • Launch, expand, or continue one or more ordinances to reduce light pollution to benefit urban wildlife.