Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Program Year

2026

Links and Uploads

View Links and Uploads

Action Item Report

Download Report

City of Bellevue

Bellevue, NE

Rusty Hike

Mayor

Pledge Summary

Bellevue is a vibrant, growing community in eastern Nebraska with a population of approximately 65,000 residents. Located along the Missouri River just south of Omaha, Bellevue is home to a rich network of parks, natural areas, and engaged community organizations that support environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation. Since 2021, Bellevue has proudly been recognized as a Bee City USA community in partnership with Green Bellevue, reflecting a strong commitment to protecting pollinators and expanding native habitat. Through this partnership, the community actively promotes education and hands-on engagement, including growing and distributing milkweed and other native plants each summer at the Bellevue Farmers Market and local events. By participating in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, Bellevue is reaffirming its dedication to supporting monarch butterflies and other pollinators through habitat creation, community outreach, and sustainable practices. The city looks forward to continuing to engage residents, schools, and local organizations in building a more resilient, pollinator-friendly community for future generations.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2026

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 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.
Facilitate or support a milkweed seed collection and propagation effort.
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 ▸

Remove milkweed from the list of noxious plants in city weed / landscaping ordinances (if applicable).
Launch, expand, or continue one or more ordinances to reduce light pollution to benefit urban wildlife.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Mayor Rusty Hike	2026	3/31/2026		View Pledge