Title
RESOLUTION ENDORSING BEE SAFE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE CITY OF DULUTH.
Body
BY COUNCILOR SIPRESS:
WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators are integral to a wide diversity of essential foods including fruits, nuts, and vegetables; and
WHEREAS, native bees and honey bees are threatened due to habitat loss, pesticide use, pathogens and parasites; and
WHEREAS, recent research suggests that there is a link between pesticides that contain neonicotinoids and the die-off of plant pollinators, including honey bees, native bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects; and
WHEREAS, neonicotinoids are synthetic chemical insecticides that are similar in structure and action to nicotine, a naturally occurring plant compound; and
WHEREAS, the Duluth city council finds it is in the public interest to demonstrate its commitment to a safe and healthy community environment through the implementation of pest management practices in the maintenance of the city parks, open spaces and city property.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the city of Duluth shall undertake its best efforts to become a pollinator-friendly city by undertaking best management practices in the use of plantings and pesticides in all public places within the city.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that with the exception of the treatment of ash trees for emerald ash borer, the city shall refrain from the use of pesticides from the neonicotinoid family on city property.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the city shall undertake its best efforts to plant flowers favorable to bees and other pollinators in the city’s public spaces, with a preference for native species.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to recognize the importance of bees and other pollinators to the farming of essential foods, including fruits, nuts and vegetable, and to require the city of Duluth to implement more bee friendly policies such as increasing the planting of pollinator friendly plants on city property and decreasing the use of dangerous pesticides.