The Town of Kingsville wants to do for the Monarch butterfly what it's done for bees, become more butterfly-friendly.
Last September, town councillors adopted a resolution calling for a report by the end of the year on ways it could do more to protect Monarch butterflies.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature put the Monarch on its list of endangered species last July. It's believed populations may have declined by 84 per cent.
Canada is a summer breeding ground for the Monarch, and from late August to mid-October, thousands migrate through Essex County on their way to Mexico.
The report notes Point Pelee National Park is doing its part to help restore Monarch populations by restoring its savannah.
While Kingsville may not be able to create a savannah, it can implement so-called "no mow" zones on municipal property. The report said it would take a bylaw amendment since the town is not exempt from regulations that require trimming for grass over ten centimetres.
It also suggests planting more native plant species, like milkweed, on which Monarch butterflies feed.
Since it was designated a "Bee-Friendly Community", Kingsville has planted a pollinator garden in Lakeside Park and intends to install another at Repko Dog Park. A new mural communicates its commitment to protecting bees, and the town holds an annual native seed and plant sale to encourage residents to embrace flora indigenous to the region.
