Sherbrooke to become a Monarch-friendly city

On the eve of World Biodiversity Day, the City of Sherbrooke is joining several other Canadian cities and municipalities by becoming a Monarch-friendly city. This initiative, led by the David Suzuki Foundation, and Space for Life, aims to set up protective measures and monarch habitat improvement measures, as well as ensure the butterfly’s protection and rehabilitation.

Designated as an endangered species in Canada since 2016, the monarch population has decreased by 90 per cent in North America in the last 20 years. It is one of the rare butterfly species to migrate from Southern Canada to Mexico. Its decline can be explained by the fast deterioration of the insect’s natural ecosystems.

As a Monarch-friendly city, Sherbrooke has committed to fulfilling ten steps over the next few years. Municipal regulations already forbid the use of pesticides that affect pollinating insects, while milkweed, the sole food source of monarch larvae, has been taken off the City’s controlled weeds list. Sherbrooke has also proceeded to the revitalization of vacant land on the city’s former sanitary landfill site to create a natural habitat for monarchs.

Several steps will need to be taken in the future by Sherbrooke to keep its Monarch-friendly status. Such steps will include the launch of a communications campaign to encourage the Sherbrooke population to plant milkweed on their land and in their neighbourhood, the organization of a sale or free distribution of milkweed and other indigenous plants, and the creation of a display garden favourable for monarchs on the Town Hall’s lawn or another symbolic location.

“The City of Sherbrooke is always glad to take action in raising awareness and preserving our ecosystems,” expressed Steve Lussier, Sherbrooke mayor, in a recent press release.