Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Program Year

2026

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Action Item Report

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Howell Township

Howell , NJ

John Leggio

Mayor

Pledge Summary

Howell Township is a township in Monmouth County, in the state of New Jersey. The township is the largest municipality in the county by total area, comprising about 61.21 square miles. The Manasquan Reservoir, a 1,204-acre site operated by the Monmouth County Park System, is one of Howell’s most ecologically significant areas which provides habitat for monarchs, native pollinators, nesting bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and migratory waterfowl. Howell Township has over 2,000 acres of parks. The Howell Environmental Commission works with local and regional partners to preserve open space, and implement native planting projects including monarch and pollinator gardens.

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 ▸

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.

Systems Change ▸

Change weed or mowing ordinances to allow for native prairie and plant habitats.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Mayor John Leggio	2026	1/3/2026		View Pledge