Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Program Year

2026

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Action Item Report

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City of Johnston

Johnston, IA

Paula Dierenfeld

Mayor

Pledge Summary

The City of Johnston is a suburb of Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. The City has 13 parks and several of them have native areas that are perfect for butterfly habitat. We have recently started the restoration of 150 acres of wetland/prairie area that will soon become a great natural area and monarch habitat.

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.
Engage with city parks and recreation, public works, sustainability, and other relevant staff to identify opportunities to revise and maintain mowing programs and milkweed / native nectar plant planting programs.

Program and Demonstration Gardens ▸

Plant milkweed and pollinator-friendly native nectar plants along roadsides, medians, or public rights-of-way.

Systems Change ▸

Increase the percentage of native plants, shrubs and trees that must be used in city landscaping ordinances and encourage use of milkweed, where appropriate.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Mayor Paula Dierenfeld	2026	4/30/2026		View Pledge
Mayor Paula Dierenfeld	2025	5/2/2025	Signatories	View Pledge
Mayor Paula Dierenfeld	2022	4/1/2022		View Pledge