DuPage Monarch Project awards Pat Miller Community Engagement Award to Naperville Park District

Naperville Park District has been recognized by the DuPage Monarch Project on January 19, 2021. The DuPage Monarch Project awarded the Pat Miller Community Engagement Award to Naperville Park District for its commitment to protecting monarch butterflies. The public agency actively involved its residents to plan and plant monarch habitat.

The DuPage Monarch Project also awarded the Jane Foulser Habitat award to Fox Valley Park District in the light of its commitment and work to expand pollinator habitat. These awards have been presented by the Project for the first time this year. The video of the award distribution ceremony is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atmd53CIs84&feature=youtu.be.

The DuPage Monarch Project is an advocacy organization led by volunteers. The motive of the organization is to advocate the importance of healthy habitat and enhancing public awareness of the plight of pollinators. Naperville Park District and Fox Valley Park District signed resolutions in 2016 for the preservation and promotion of monarch habitat under the DuPage Monarch Project.

Naperville Park District took various initiatives since 2016 including a Monarch Festival, monarch waystations, raising and releasing 175 monarch butterflies at Knoch Knolls Nature Center, and expansion of pollinator habitat in parks. Angelique Harshman, the manager of the Nature Center, said, “Naperville Park District is honored to be recognized with the Pat Miller Community Engagement Award.”

Harshman appreciated the work of volunteers and community residents who played a role in protecting and preserving monarchs. They also helped the Nature Center to plant pollinator plants to follow the resolutions signed with the DuPage Monarch Project. The District is committed to enhancing environmental education, and sustainability under its core values.