The Mayors’ Monarch Pledge

Bastrop is a city within the Texas Monarch Flyway, making it an important destination for both the spring and fall Monarch migration. Because of this, the town is committed to increasing pollinator gardens on public land to help local pollinators and the Monarch butterfly. They currently have three active pollinator projects, including this one, and are working to encourage the public to get involved with this ongoing effort.

On February 18, 2024, Mayor Lyle Nelson initiated the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge at City Hall in Bastrop, which is a program from the National Wildlife Federation that encourages communities to create habitats for monarch butterflies and pollinators at both home and within their communities.

Action Items 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 Gardeners, Master Naturalists, 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.
• Display education 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.

BCMGA Involvement

The Bastrop County Master Gardener Association worked with the Lost Pines Master Naturalist Chapter to turn the raised bed in front of City Hall into a Monarch haven. Before taking the pledge, the raised bed consisted of Bermuda grass and a lone rose bush. The bed now consists of a plethora of native and pollinator-friendly plants including milkweed, and more.