The National Wildlife Federation

Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Monday, February 26, 2024

Program Year

2024

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Action Item Report

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City of Versailles

Versailles, MO

Jamie Morrow

Mayor

Pledge Summary

City of Versailles, Missouri is a city of roughly 2,500 residents. The city is located at the crossroads of Highways 5 & 52 and serves as a gateway to beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Versailles is the county seat and is home to 4 lovely parks and a community garden that is hosted by Ozark Prairie Master Gardeners and others. Other amenities include a historical museum, The Royal Theatre and Olde Tyme Apple Festival every October. Recently City of Versailles, MO was awarded grant funds to complete part of the Rock Island Trail that lies within the city limit. Mayor Jamie Morrow of Versailles, Missouri is devoted to preserving Monarch Butterfly and other pollinator habitats and is prepared to engage community members in building Monarch and other pollinator numbers.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2024

Communications and Convening

  • 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.
  • 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.

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.
  • Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.

Systems Change

  • Increase the percentage of native plants, shrubs and trees that must be used in city landscaping ordinances and encourage use of milkweed, where appropriate.
  • Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.