SUBJECT:
Title
Pollinator Week Proclamation 2025; Sponsored by Council Member Pesaramelli
Body
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Services
Department
PRESENTER(S): Karen Winkler, Sustainability Advisory Board Chair
Council Member Anil Pesaramelli, Sponsor
Eryka Thorley, Sustainability Manager
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 0 minutes
only required for non-consent items
POLICY ISSUES:
Habitat loss in Erie affects pollinators and biodiversity within our community. Erie benefits from adopting a strong pollinator protection strategy that protects native pollinators by restoring and connecting their habitats throughout Erie and beyond. This proclamation supports actions necessary for healthy and sustainable pollinator populations alongside community-driven actions to protect imperiled native pollinators.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve this proclamation concerning vital pollinators in the Town of Erie.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The declining pollinator population is an urgent issue affecting the health of natural ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Nearly 25% of native bee species are imperiled and there is increasing risk of extinction for other pollinators including the monarch butterfly population which is experiencing declines of 74-80% in populations both east and west of the Rocky Mountains. Pollinators in the U.S. including thousands of species of native bees, butterflies, and additional species of insects, birds, and bats, are essential for pollinating 75% of all flowering plants and contribute an estimated $29 billion to farm income annually. These species are integral to our quality of life, economic resiliency, and the vitality of our natural environment.
As our community grows, Erie is well positioned to adopt policies and practices that support biodiversity and pollinator protection through thoughtful management of parks, public landscapes, and other public lands. Erie can champion conservation stewardship when providing recommendations to developers and residents that include protection of pollinators and natural habitat maintenance.
The Sustainability Advisory Board, in conjunction with the Sustainability Division, is pursuing ways that community-based engagement can increase awareness of the vital role pollinators play in our environment. There are several initiatives underway with the goal to safeguard native pollinators and their habitats including: collaborating with Erie's Parks Division to build a comprehensive map of pollinator-friendly greenscapes, engaging with Erie residents to add private gardens and greenscapes to a map to identify and support pollinator corridors and the areas that would benefit from increased focus, and surveying existing habitats to derive data that can assist in understanding Erie’s natural environment.
By establishing frameworks for guidelines and consistency, allocating resources, creating accountability structures that influence behavior, Erie seeks to drive positive change in the community and incentivize residents to learn more about native pollinators. Residents can also learn more about their role in sustaining a healthy ecosystem in Erie, as well as establishing beautiful landscapes across our community. Staff and the Sustainability Advisory Board will continue seeking partnerships, grants, and other funding opportunities to encourage community-led habitat creation and education initiatives.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Small Town Feel
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Proclamation