The Phoenix Convention Center is now trying to bring in new event attendees: monarch butterflies.
This week, in partnership with the City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs and Downtown Phoenix Inc., the Phoenix Convention Center planted a monarch butterfly habitat, also known as a pollinator garden, in an effort to draw more monarchs to Phoenix.
The monarch butterfly is an important pollinator indicator species, and Phoenix is on the migration route for western monarch butterflies. They can be found in the Valley from September to May. The garden consists of milkweed and native nectar plants. The plants provide food, shelter and energy for the monarchs.
In 2021, Mayor Kate Gallego joined the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor’s Monarch pledge to support the monarch butterfly population, which is under threat from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. The monarch butterfly migrates through Phoenix in the spring and fall and some even stay over winter. As such, providing milkweed and native nectar plants for this important species is crucial.
“We are thrilled to welcome a new pollinator garden to our downtown as part of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge! Not only will the monarchs cherish and enjoy this space – visitors and residents will, too,” Gallego said. “Beyond bringing another touch of beauty to our community, the garden will provide monarchs and other pollinators the shelter, sustenance, and energy they need for their journeys south. Phoenix is committed to becoming the world’s most sustainable city, and nurturing our desert biodiversity is a crucial part of this mission.”
Through the Mayor’s Monarch pledge, the City of Phoenix is not only helping monarch butterflies survive and thrive, but many other pollinators as well.
“We are happy to be supporting the mayor’s initiative to increase the presence of monarch butterflies in Phoenix,” said Phoenix Convention Center Director Jerry Harper. “This effort not only brings even more beauty to our campus, but it also allows us to contribute to our ecosystem. The Phoenix Convention Center & Venues are committed to sustainability, and this is yet another way we are enhancing our environmental stewardship and fostering a vibrant community.”
The first garden was completed Nov. 6 at the Phoenix Convention Center at the corner of Washington and 3
rd
Streets. A second garden will be installed later this month at the North Building’s Patio Two, near the main entrance of the building.
“Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the beauty of these newest gardens at the Convention Center, all while the gardens help us become a more sustainable desert city, support biodiversity, and create native respite areas for pollinators and humans alike in our downtown core,” said Tricia Balluff, environmental programs manager for the City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs. “We celebrate the work and commitment of the Convention Center to bring this important addition to the City’s monarch pledge work.”
The City of Phoenix, Downtown Phoenix Inc., and the Phoenix Convention Center plan to celebrate the opening of both gardens with a ribbon cutting at a later date.
