Columbus Set to Become More Pollinator-Friendly
City Council reviews removing milkweed from
list of prohibited plants
[COLUMBUS-OH]
In an effort to make Columbus a more environmentally vibrant city,
Councilmember Elizabeth Brown seeks to remove milkweed,
an ally of the butterfly, as a prohibited noxious weed.
On
Wednesday, April 5, 2017, Councilmember Brown will host a public hearing to
review ordinance 0977-2017 to remove milkweed from the City’s list of
prohibited noxious weeds, at the Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad
St., 5pm.
“This
is a simple step that can have a big impact on the vibrancy and diversity of
local plants and flowers,” said Councilmember Brown. “Supporting pollinators
like the monarch butterfly will help local ecosystems thrive.”
Noxious
weeds are annual, biennial, or perennial plants that are designated as having
the potential or are known to be detrimental to human or animal health, the
environment, public roads, crops, livestock, or other property.
There
is a national movement to promote the cultivation of milkweed due to it being
the only plant where monarch butterflies lay their eggs. Widespread use of
pesticides and other losses of habitat have reduced the available milkweed that
the butterflies rely on.
According
to the National Wildlife Federation, pollinating species are in decline
worldwide due to habitat loss, invasive species, parasites, and pesticides.
Approximately
75 percent of plant species rely on more than 100,000 invertebrates - including
bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, beetles, and flies– and more than 1,000
mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles that act as pollinators. Their
relationship helps form the foundation of food chains by producing many
plant-based foods on which all animals, including humans, rely.
“Local
actions do make a difference when it comes to preserving the environment,” said
Councilmember Brown. “I hope today’s hearing inspires residents to plant their
own pollinator-friendly habitats using milkweed and other native plants.”
The
City of Columbus offers residents $50 reimbursements for the purchase of an
approved rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants from a licensed
retailer. The reimbursements are made through the GreenSpot Backyards
program (communitybackyards.org) which is administered
by the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District.
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