HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-07 Pollinator Appreciation MonthP R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, 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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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;
NOW, THEREFOR, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT, I Linda Olson, Mayor of the
City of Englewood, Colorado (“the City”) and the City Council, hereby proclaim:
1. 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.
2. The City will strive to be a leader in pollinator landscape management. It will
continue to enhance safe and healthy pollinator forage habit on City lands,
including reviewing and revising mowing policies where possible to allow
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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.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. The City Council hereby declares 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 7th day of June, 2021
Linda Olson, Mayor
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