In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Boerne and its residents see firsthand the vital role our natural environment plays every day.
From the planting of native trees, grasses and plants the city of Boerne strives to better our environment and the animals and insects that rely on them. Much of this success stems from our strong partnerships with local groups. That includes, but is not limited to, the Cibolo Center for Conservation and the Boerne Chapter of the Texas Native Plant Society.
On April 1, 2021, the city of Boerne and Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce held a small outdoor event and mixer at the Visitors Center to help educate members of the community about the vital role we play in helping our native plants, insects and wildlife continue to thrive in the Hill Country. Mayor Tim Handren also proclaimed April as Native Plant Month.
“One of my favorite things to do is birding,” Handren said. “Whether in my backyard or at Boerne City Lake it is imperative we all do our part to make sure they flourish and a big component of that is making sure they have a natural environment with native plants to call home.”
The event will not only focus on native plants, but also the increasing need to ensure the survival of the monarch butterfly. Mayor Handren added his name to the ‘Mayors’ Monarch Pledge’ which celebrates the monarch butterflies, an iconic North American species whose multigenerational migration and metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly plays a vital role in our environment.
"The Boerne Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas is proud to collaborate with the Cibolo Center for Conservation and the City of Boerne to celebrate the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and the Proclamation of April as Native Plant Month,” Felicia Zbranek, President of the Boerne Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, said. “It is this collaboration that will set the standard for other cities and organizations to work together to preserve and protect Texas’ unique flora and fauna.”
“The Cibolo Center for Conservation is a proud partner to help the City of Boerne create lasting action toward the Mayors' Monarch Pledge,” Margaret Lamar, Executive Director of the Cibolo Center for Conservation said. “Supporting the monarch butterflies’ migration through the Texas Hill Country has been a driver of our research and education for many years, and we believe that this initiative will pave the way for a healthier world for the monarch, other native pollinators, and wildlife across our region.”