PHOENIX — Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman has officially signed the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, committing the city to support monarch butterfly habitats and help educate residents on preserving pollinators.
The pledge, signed Wednesday, outlines steps Mesa will take to create and improve habitats for monarchs and other pollinating insects critical to the ecosystem.
“As a farmer, I know how essential pollinators are to food production,” Freeman said. “This pledge shows Mesa’s commitment to protecting these species and creating spaces where they can thrive.”
Mesa is also working with the Southwest Monarch Study, a nonprofit tracking monarch butterfly movements across Arizona and the Southwest.
Why Monarchs Matter
Monarch butterflies play a vital role in pollination, helping plants reproduce by carrying pollen from flower to flower. They also serve as a food source for birds and other wildlife, making them a key part of the food chain.
Mesa joins other cities in efforts to protect monarchs as their populations decline due to habitat loss and environmental threats.
