Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Program Year

2024

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City of Riverdale

Riverdale, IA

Anthony Heddlesten

Mayor

Pledge Summary

We removed all of the non-native plants in our parks in 2021 and 2022 and replaced them all with native species. We have two registered monarch way stations with Monarch Watch. We also recently passed an ordinance and set up a program for people to have mow-less May, pollinator lawn spaces, and native prairie lawn spaces without getting fines for tall grass/weeds.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2024

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.
  • Create a community art project to enhance and promote monarch and pollinator conservation as well as cultural awareness and recognition.

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.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • 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.