Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Program Year

2026

Links and Uploads

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Action Item Report

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Town of Poughkeepsie

Poughkeepsie, NY

Rebecca Edwards

Town Supervisor

Pledge Summary

The Town of Poughkeepsie Climate Smart Task Force and Conservation Advisory Commission have for five years fostered a "Pollinator Pathways" program to encourage native pollinator plantings for monarchs and other vital species. We are now working to expand the network of Pollinator Pathways gardens, through a public relations campaign and through expanded pollinator garden spaces in Town parks. We have adopted "No- and Low-Mow May" and will make a special effort to promote milkweeds and other species that help monarchs survive.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2026

Communications and Convening ▸

Launch or maintain a public communication effort to encourage residents to plant monarch gardens at their homes or in their neighborhoods. (If you have community members who speak a language other than English, we encourage you to also communicate in that language; Champion Pledges must communicate in that language.)
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 ▸

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).

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.
Reduce or eliminate the use of herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals that are harmful to monarchs and pollinators and urban wildlife.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Town Supervisor Rebecca Edwards	2026	4/22/2026		View Pledge