Community Profile

Pledge Summary

Highland Township is home to approximately 20,000 residents in Rural/Suburban Metro Detroit—is proud to be a leader in protecting Monarch butterflies and supporting local pollinators. One of our most impactful initiatives is the Milkweed Mile Project, which transformed the M‑59 median into a thriving habitat for Monarchs. This effort began in 2018 after an inspiring presentation by eight‑year‑old resident, whose passion for protecting Monarchs sparked a wave of community involvement. Their presentation led to a petition presented to the Board, whose approval ultimately made Highland the first city in Michigan to join Monarch City USA, a national nonprofit dedicated to cultivating Monarch‑friendly environments by promoting milkweed and nectar‑rich plants in urban landscapes. Before the project, milkweed naturally grew in the M‑59 median but was routinely mowed down each season, unintentionally harming Monarchs, butterflies, bees, and other essential pollinators. Today, thanks to the Milkweed Mile Project, this once‑overlooked strip of land now serves as a vital sanctuary for these species. Another incitive is, each fall, the Supervisor’s Office collects milkweed and native flower seeds to further expand the Milkweed Mile. Residents are encouraged to collect seeds from their own gardens and drop them off at the Township Offices.