Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Friday, March 20, 2026

Program Year

2026

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City of St. Louis

St. Louis, MO

Cara Spencer

Mayor

Pledge Summary

The City of St. Louis is located on the eastern border of Missouri along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. This location is a natural byway for Monarch butterfly migration. In 2014, St. Louis began its Milkweeds for Monarchs initiative and has established well over 400 green spaces with milkweed and nectar sources to support the Monarch and other pollinators. Mayor Cara Spencer continues the City’s important efforts to support pollinators and connect residents with nature. Monarch and pollinator gardens will continue to be established and maintained along greenways, in city parks, neighborhoods, schools and at homes across St. Louis.

Community Spotlight

Action Items Committed for 2026

Communications and Convening ▸

  • Engage with community garden groups and urge them to plant native milkweeds and nectar-producing plants.
  • 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.
  • 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 Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
  • 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.
  • Facilitate or support a milkweed seed collection and propagation effort.
  • Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.
  • Convert vacant lots to monarch habitat.
  • Plant milkweed and pollinator-friendly native nectar plants along roadsides, medians, or public rights-of-way.
  • 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 ▸

  • Remove milkweed from the list of noxious plants in city weed / landscaping ordinances (if applicable).
  • Change weed or mowing ordinances to allow for native prairie and plant habitats.
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