House Joint Resolution 84, sponsored by Vital, honors the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for its initiative, Project Milkweed, aimed at restoring the dwindling population of monarch butterflies. The resolution highlights the alarming decline of milkweed, the sole food source for monarchs, which has contributed to their classification as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in June 2022. In response, TDOT has distributed milkweed seeds to the public, providing options for red and common milkweed, and has successfully given away 780,000 seed packets in 2023, with a sustainable target of 350,000 packets for the following year.

The resolution emphasizes the importance of this initiative in preserving vital pollinator habitats and recognizes the efforts of TDOT in making Tennessee a greener state. It encourages residents to participate in the project by ordering seed packets, with a limit of three packets per household, to help restore landscapes for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The resolution concludes by commending TDOT for its commitment to environmental conservation and the survival of these essential species.