Pollinator gardens planted for Monarch butterflies

For the past year, the City has been working to bring more monarch butterflies to Dallas by creating a migration highway of pollinator gardens. Mayor Rawlings took the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge last year and is now unveiling a new garden for butterflies at Dallas City Hall. The public is invited to attend on Wed., April 19 at 12 p.m. on the south side of the City Hall lobby.

Monarch populations have steadily declined over recent decades due to a loss of native feeding and nesting grounds. This newest garden was brought to life through a partnership with Texas Discovery Gardens, North Texas Master Naturalists, City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Dallas Park and Recreation Department.

Parks and Recreation oversees several pollinator friendly gardens with native plant species that provide energy-rich nectar to keep the Monarchs going. These parks include Crawford, Kiest, Everglade, Lake Cliff, Kidd Springs, RP Brooks, and Northhaven Trail. Other areas with Monarch sightings include Dallas City Hall, White Rock Lake, Harry S. Moss Park, Reverchon Park, Bachman Lake Greenbelt, and Mountain Creek Lake.