Community Profile

Cheltenham Township

Elkins Park, PA

Matthew Areman

President, Board of Commissioners

Pledge Summary

Cheltenham Township is a first-ring suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a population of close to 38,000. Its 9-square-mile community boasts 23 parks and open spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. Cheltenham Township adopted a Sustainability Plan in 2013, and is looking to approve its updated Comprehensive Plan in 2026, further supporting its commitment to the environment and to pollinators. Cheltenham is taking the Monarch Pledge for the fifth year in 2026 to include cultivating its existing and monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration gardens, continuing public communication efforts to encourage monarch gardens at homes and neighborhoods, hosting its third annual Monarch Festival, and reviewing Township ordinances, regulations and practices. The Township's efforts are supplemented by the partnership of community organizations and resident volunteers, including through the Cheltenham Township Library System, the Township's Environmental Advisory Council, and parks Friends groups.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2026

Communications and Convening ▸

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.
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.)

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.
Add or maintain native milkweed and nectar-producing plants in gardens in the community.
Host or support a monarch butterfly festival that is accessible to all residents in the community and promotes monarch and pollinator conservation, as well as cultural awareness and recognition.

Systems Change ▸

Change weed or mowing ordinances to allow for native prairie and plant habitats.
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
President, Board of Commissioners Matthew Areman	2026	3/26/2026		View Pledge
Township Manager Alyson Elliott	2025	3/11/2025	Signatories	View Pledge
President, Board of Commissioners Matthew Areman	2024	3/5/2024	Signatories	View Pledge
Township Manager Alyson Elliott	2023	3/16/2023	Signatories	View Pledge
Acting Township Manager Alyson Elliott	2022	3/25/2022	Signatories	View Pledge

Pledge Status

Pledge Date

Program Year

Links and Uploads

Action Item Report