~ Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman has made a strong commitment to preserving the habitats of monarch butterflies and other pollinators by signing the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge. This pledge not only reaffirms Mesa's dedication to creating suitable environments for monarch butterflies, but also aims to educate residents on how they can contribute to this cause.

Mayor Freeman, who is also a farmer, understands the crucial role that pollinators play in food production. He stated, "By joining the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, the City is demonstrating its dedication to create and improve habitats for the monarch and other essential pollinators." He encouraged the community to take action and help create spaces where these incredible creatures can thrive.

To celebrate this initiative, Red Mountain Library will be hosting a Spring Equinox event at the Monarch Haven & Reading Sanctuary on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. This free event is family-friendly and will feature crafts, educational exhibits, and insights from Southwest Monarch Study, Desert Botanical Garden, Master Gardeners, and city landscape experts.

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Mesa is proud to partner with Southwest Monarch Study, a nonprofit organization that conducts research on monarch migration and breeding patterns in Arizona and the Southwest. Over the past 20 years, monarch butterfly populations have drastically decreased due to habitat loss, herbicide use, and climate change disrupting their migration. These iconic butterflies symbolize hope, resilience, and interconnectedness as they embark on their epic multi-generational journey. In fact, in December 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed adding them to the Endangered Species list.

Through this pledge, Mesa joins a growing network of cities working towards restoring habitats in parks, roadsides, medians, and backyard gardens throughout the community. The Monarch Haven & Reading Sanctuary at Red Mountain Library is one such example of this effort. Completed in 2020, this serene pocket park was made possible by a generous grant from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Residents are encouraged to get involved and be a part of the movement to save these iconic butterflies.

For more information on the Spring Equinox event, please visit https://events.mesalibrary.org/event/gardeningl.... Let us all join hands in preserving the habitats of monarch butterflies and other pollinators for a better future.

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