Glenview Monarch Butterfly Gardens Get Grant

GLENVIEW, IL — A plan to create a series of monarch butterfly habitats throughout the village was awarded a $7,500 grant, ComEd and Openlands announced last week. The project will begin with several "high-visibility" public gardens with plans to grow into a village-wide habitat network, according to a release.

Glenview's grant was one of 26 awarded as part of the Green Region Program, a partnership between the energy company and local conservation group that has so far awarded more than $1.125 million to local municipalities, park district, forest preserves and other communities in grants of up to $10,000. ComEd provides the funding and Openlands administers the program.

Last year's grant cycle focused on conserving habitats for pollinator species. It was so popular, the 2018 Green Region grants will also go to projects supporting pollinator species, according to a release from the groups. Thousands of native pollinators, such as butterflies and bees, offer vital support to the state's flowers and crops.

"Monarch populations have experienced a steep decline in the past 20 years," said Glenview Natural Resources Manager Robyn Flakne. "Anything the village can do to support these beautiful and iconic butterflies would be helpful."

Glenview will create a new monarch conservation plan based on research and carry out a review of its codes and ordinances in conjunction with the grant. The pro-pollinator project will also consist of education, events and public participation, according to the release.

The village said it has been engaged in monarch preservation projects for year. It noted in a release a butterfly garden at the north side of the train station has already been set up. In 2017 it served as a pilot city in a study by the Field Museum of monarch butterfly habitats in the Chicago area, which looked for areas in the community that might be conductive to butterflies. And in 2016, village trustees signed on to pa ledge from the National Wildlife Federation to create new monarch habitats and educate residents.

Glenview last received a Green Region grant in 2014, when $5,000 from ComEd was combined with a $125,000 EPA Clean Water Act grant to go toward a project to naturalize the banks of the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River in downtown Glenview and add a concrete path along east side of the river north of Glenview Road, according to a release.

"At Openlands, we believe nature is vital to all people and that everyone should have access to parks, trails and green space close to home," said Openlands President and CEO Jerry Adelmann. "ComEd's continued support through the Green Region Program has brought this vision to life, allowing communities to invest in open space projects that bring joy to citizens where they live, work and play."

Grants were submitted earlier this year and reviewed by a committee made up of county government officials and members of the local conservation community.

"Our partnership with Openlands these past six years helps both the environment and helps out customers to enjoy their communities even more," said Fidel Marquez, ComEd senior vice president of governmental and external affairs.

Find out more about the Green Region Program

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