Take Action: Ask Your Alderperson to Support Native & Pollinator Gardens

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Take Action: Ask Your Alderperson to Support Native & Pollinator Gardens

Chicago Needs Native and Pollinator Gardens That Actually Work

Chicago’s Managed Native and Pollinator Garden Registry was created to support biodiversity, stormwater management, and climate resilience. However, the current 10-inch plant height limit in parkways makes it nearly impossible for native plants to thrive and discourages residents from participating.

A simple fix is already on the table.

Ordinance O2026-0022796 introduced by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) would update the Municipal Code to allow native and pollinator plants in registered parkway gardens to grow up to 36 inches tall, aligning the code with native plant growing best practices while keeping gardens well-managed and safe.

Why This Matters

Native plants need height to function: pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects rely on plants that grow beyond 10 inches.
36 inches is still well below sightline and safety thresholds, and the ordinance maintains requirements that plants not encroach on sidewalks or property lines.
The registry already applies only to managed gardens on occupied properties, providing accountability and oversight.
This change will reduce enforcement conflicts, clarify expectations, and increase participation in the Registry.

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Why This Matters

Please take two minutes to contact your Alderperson and ask them to:

Support the update to Managed Native and Pollinator Garden Registry (Section 10-32-055)

Help move the ordinance out of committee

Vote yes when it comes before City Council.

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Take Action: Ask Your Alderperson to Support Native & Pollinator Gardens

The board approved an update to Native and Pollinator Garden Registry to raise the height limit for plants on the registry to 36”. The update to the ordinance is currently in committee.

Subject: Support a Practical Update to Chicago’s Native Garden Ordinance

Message:

I’m writing to ask that you support Ordinance O2026-0022796 to update the Managed Native and Pollinator Garden Registry. Chicago’s Managed Native and Pollinator Garden Registry was created to support biodiversity, stormwater management, and climate resilience. However, the current 10-inch plant height limit in parkways makes it nearly impossible for native plants to thrive and discourages residents from participating.

The proposed ordinance amends Municipal Code (Section 10-32-055) to allow plants in registered native and pollinator gardens located in parkways to grow to a maximum 36 inches, instead of the current 10-inch limit.

This update is important to me because the existing height limit makes it extremely difficult to grow functional native plants. Deep-rooted native species, which help manage stormwater, reduce urban heat, and support pollinators, often exceed 10 inches at mature height. A 36-inch standard reflects best practices while still keeping gardens tidy, intentional, and safe.

Importantly, this ordinance change does not eliminate existing requirements. Gardens must still:

-Be actively managed

-Be located on occupied properties or qualifying community gardens

-Avoid encroachment onto sidewalks or beyond property lines

Raising the height limit will make the Registry more usable, reduce unnecessary conflicts, and encourage more residents to register their gardens rather than avoid the program altogether.

I respectfully ask that you support this ordinance and take action to move it out of committee so it can receive full consideration by the City Council.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our ward.

The board approved an update to Native and Pollinator Garden Registry to raise the height limit for plants on the registry to 36”. The update to the ordinance is currently in committee.

Subject: Thank you for sponsoring the native garden ordinance update

Message:

Thank you for sponsoring Ordinance O2026-0022796t to update the Managed Native and Pollinator Garden Registry. I appreciate your leadership in addressing the 10‑inch height limit, which has made it difficult for residents to grow functional native gardens in parkways.

Allowing registered gardens to reach up to 36 inches will better support native plants while preserving clear expectations for safety, maintenance, and sidewalk access. This update will make the Registry more practical and encourage broader participation.

Thank you for your work on this issue and for your service to our ward.

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Take Action: Ask Your Alderperson to Support Native & Pollinator Gardens

Chicago Needs Native and Pollinator Gardens That Actually Work

Why This Matters

Take Action: Ask Your Alderperson to Support Native & Pollinator Gardens

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