Community Profile

Reston, VA

Larry Butler

Chief Executive Officer

Pledge Summary

Reston is a planned community located in Fairfax County, Virginia with approximately 65,000 residents. The community is located 20 miles west of Washington, DC and is renowned for its preservation of natural areas and commitment to environmental stewardship. Reston has been certified by NWF as a Community Wildlife Habitat. It is also a Tree City USA as designated by the National Arbor Day Foundation and a designated Biophilic City. Reston recognizes the plight of the Monarch species and endeavors to conserve habitat on Reston Association property, which is accessible to residents and visitors. Reston Association staff educate homeowners about monarch conservation efforts and provide resources for people to create butterfly habitats on their own properties and in their neighborhoods.

Community Spotlight

Reston Annual Butterfly Count

Reston has conducted an Annual Butterfly Count since 1994. One place to look for Monarchs is the Golf Course Island Community Gardens where there is a Monarch Waystation, filled with milkweed plants. Each year, volunteers assist staff with the count.

Monarch Waystations

Reston has 18 certified Monarch Waystations by Monarch Watch. These sites provide milkweeds, nectar sources and shelter needed to sustain Monarch butterflies as they migrate through North America.

Learn More

Action Items Committed for 2021

Communications and Convening ▸

Launch or maintain a public communication effort to encourage residents to plant monarch gardens at their homes or in their neighborhoods. (If you have community members who speak a language other than English, we encourage you to also communicate in that language; Champion Pledges must communicate in that language.)
Engage with community garden groups and urge them to plant native milkweeds and nectar-producing plants.
Engage with Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
Issue a proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat. This proclamation must incorporate a focus on monarch conservation.

Program and Demonstration Gardens ▸

Host or support a native seed or plant sale, giveaway or swap.
Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.
Earn or maintain recognition for being a wildlife-friendly city by participating in other wildlife and habitat conservation efforts (i.e., National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program).
Initiate or support community science (or citizen science) efforts that help monitor monarch migration and health.
Add or maintain native milkweed and nectar-producing plants in gardens in the community.
Launch, expand, or continue an invasive species removal program that will support the re-establishment of native habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.

Systems Change ▸

Launch, expand, or continue an effort to change municipal planting ordinances and practices to include more native milkweed and native nectar producing plants at city properties.
Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Acting Chief Executive Officer - Reston Association Peter Lusk	2026	3/17/2026		View Pledge
Chief Executive Officer - Reston Association Mac Cummins	2025	3/21/2025	Signatories	View Pledge
Chief Executive Officer Larry Butler	2022	12/16/2021	Leadership Circle	View Pledge
Chief Executive Officer Larry Butler	2021	3/26/2021	Leadership Circle	View Pledge

Pledge Status

Pledge Date

Program Year

Achievement

Links and Uploads

Action Item Report