Community Profile

Pledge Status

Did Not Report

Pledge Date

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Program Year

2025

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Action Item Report

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Manalapan Township

Manalapan, NJ

Eric Nelson

Mayor

Pledge Summary

Manalapan Township is a beautiful community located in Western Monmouth County just 15 minutes from the Jersey Shore, and 45 miles from New York City. It boasts a population of over 40,000 residents. Over the years we have adopted the slogan that Manalapan is "A Great Place to Live" and the saying couldn’t be more true. Manalapan Township has many volunteer groups that residents can join to get involved in their community. One of those groups is the Manalapan Environmental Commission, which exists to help our municipal government protect the environment and the natural resources in our town. One event they hold annually is their Native Plant sale, which features milkweed plants that rebuild habitats for the monarch butterfly. The Manalapan Environmental Commission is dedicated to protecting not only our environment, but the population of the monarch butterfly as well.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2025

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 gardening leaders and partners (e.g., Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Nature Centers, Native Plant Society Chapters , other long-standing and influential community leaders) to support monarch butterfly conservation.
Engage with developers, planners, landscape architects, and other community leaders and organizers engaged in planning processes to identify opportunities to create monarch habitat.
Create a community art project to enhance and promote monarch and pollinator conservation as well as cultural awareness and recognition.

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.
Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.

Systems Change ▸

Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.
Launch, expand, or continue one or more ordinances to reduce light pollution to benefit urban wildlife.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Mayor Eric Nelson	2025	3/26/2025		View Pledge