HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-06 Pollinator Appreciation MonthWHEREAS, The City of Englewood values its parks and open spaces, which contribute
to the City's quality of life. Many of the trees and plants that beautify our landscapes and form
key elements of our ecosystems rely on pollinators to propagate and to contribute to ecological
services; and
WHEREAS, Pollinators of all kinds, including native bees, wasps, butterflies, and
European honey bees, are a critically important part of our agricultural and food systems, and their
pollination of a significant amount of our food supply is extremely important to food production;
and
WHEREAS, the loss of habitat and food supply for pollinators through the use of
pesticides, development resulting in habitat loss and other negative environmental impacts are
contributing to this decline; and
WHEREAS, Pollinators are in decline in Colorado and across the United States due to a
variety of pressures including climate change, pesticides, diseases, and parasites; and
WHEREAS, based on university scientific studies and findings that indicate the
inappropriate use of pesticides pose unacceptable hazards to pollinators, several cities and counties
in the United States took steps to raise awareness of this issue; and
WHEREAS, the City of Englewood wishes to acknowledge and strengthen its current
policies and practices as they relate to the health of pollinators, which in turn relate to the health
of our environment and people; and
WHEREAS, the City of Englewood City Council, on April 5th , adopted the City's first
Sustainability Plan with a goal focused on protecting the natural environment, including projects
to increase pollinators in parks and open spaces; and
WHEREAS, the City shall continue its efforts to provide and maintain vegetation on City
property in a fiscally responsible manner that considers the wellbeing of people, plants, and
pollinators. The City will strive to reduce and minimize all chemical pesticides use on City lands;
and
WHEREAS, the City will strive to be a leader in pollinator landscape management. It
will continue to enhance safe and healthy pollinator forage habitat on City lands, including
reviewing and revising mowing policies where possible to allow wildflowers and other appropriate
flowering species to flourish and feed pollinators. When appropriate and feasible, the City will
strive to incorporate and utilize native plants that are beneficial to pollinators on City-owned
properties. The City will strive to convert actively managed non-native or degraded landscaped
areas to native habits that include pollinator-friendly plants; and
1
WHEREAS, the City will follow its Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan as the
normative practice in all City-owned lands. Where practicable on City property, the City and its
contracts shall refrain from, or limit, the use of neonicotinoids, that may negatively affect
pollinators. Where the City deems it necessary to use pesticides, the City will direct its staff and
contractors to use pesticides in a manner that minimizes potential adverse impacts on people and
pollinators; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the importance of pollinators, and will support and
engage in efforts to educate the broader community about integrated pest management, habitat
enhancements and protection, and the actions the City is taking. The City shall continue to make
available to City residents and property owners' information on the importance and benefits of
creating and maintaining pollinator friendly habitats.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT, I Othoniel Sierra, Mayor of the
City of Englewood, Colorado ("the City") and the City Council, hereby proclaim:
The month of June as Pollinator Appreciation Month in the City of Englewood,
Colorado, for the purpose of encouraging all residents to recognize and celebrate
the important role pollinators play in our environment and to work actively to
support and protect pollinators of all kinds in the City of Englewood.
GIVEN under my hand and seal this 6th day of June, 2022
2