Ville de Saint-Lazare was proud to receive GOLD certification, the highest level of commitment and recognition to be achieved within the framework of the David Suzuki Foundation's Monarch-Friendly City project.

The certificate confirms Ville de Saint-Lazare's commitment to preserving monarch habitat through the implementation of over 20 concrete actions.

Respect for the City's values

Mayor Geneviève Lachance was enthusiastic about the municipality's commitment: "As Saint-Lazare is committed to preserving the environment for future generations, certification goes hand in hand with our values of sustainable development. That's why helping this migratory insect in serious danger appealed to us.

"We are convinced that Saint-Lazare residents will join this movement, and that our collective efforts will make a difference in the fight for the butterfly's survival. »

Ville de Saint-Lazare periodically renews its invitations to residents to join the collective effort to protect the monarch butterfly, notably by introducing milkweed and other nectar-bearing plants into their landscaping.

More than 80 municipalities in Québec

Since the initiative was launched, more than 340 mayors and municipal leaders have pledged to help save monarch butterflies in North America, including more than 80 in Quebec.

In addition to the commitments made by the municipality, citizens will also be called upon to take part in various actions to help restore the monarch's habitat.

David Suzuki Foundation

"Municipalities play a crucial role in the conservation of the monarch and its habitat. They can make simple gestures that have an essential impact on the survival of the species, as well as other pollinators, and make their citizens aware of the importance of taking part in this conservation effort.

"It is in this spirit that we salute the commitment of Ville de Saint-Lazare. We hope that this initiative will inspire other municipalities to join this vast movement to protect this emblematic butterfly", explained Alexandre Huet, responsible for mobilization and public engagement in Quebec at the David Suzuki Foundation.

The monarch butterfly is an endangered species: its population has fallen drastically over the past two decades.

Scientists attribute this decline to degradation and loss of breeding habitat. However, municipalities can play a key role in protecting the habitat of this emblematic butterfly and helping to save the species.

Concrete actions

To encourage municipalities to take concrete action to protect the monarch, the David Suzuki Foundation, in partnership with Espace pour la vie, has launched the Ville amie des monarques au Québec initiative, which aims to implement measures to restore monarch habitats and raise public awareness.

The Ville de Saint-Lazare website devotes an entire section to informing residents about the measures it has put in place and the small things they can do at home (https://ville.saintlazare.qc.ca/fr/services-aux-citoyens/environnement/ville-amie-des-monarques).