City of St. Marys
St. Marys, OH
Joe Hurlburt
Summary for 2025
The monarch butterfly is a symbol of resilience, migration, and the delicate balance of nature. By taking the Mayor's Monarch Pledge, the City of St. Marys not only contributes to the survival of monarchs but also fosters a deeper connection with the environment and each other. Each individual action, whether it’s planting milkweed, reducing pesticide use, or spreading awareness, adds up to create a lasting impact. This pledge is more than a commitment to butterflies—it’s a promise to the land we share and the future we build together. Through collective care and respect for all living creatures, we empower our community to thrive, just like the monarchs that inspire us.
City of Hot Springs
Hot Springs, AR
Pat McCabe
Summary for 2025
Hot Springs is the most popular tourist destination in the state of Arkansas with nearly 7 million annual visitors. It is located just southwest of the state capital of Arkansas with a population of more than 38,000 residents. As a part of the Natural State, the city of Hot Springs is nestled alongside Hot Springs National Park, also known as the first U.S. National Reservation, as well as the Ouachita National Forest and two state parks. It is surrounded by three man-made lakes, one of which is the largest lake in the state and also consistently ranked one of the cleanest lakes in the nation. In addition to the state/federal attractions, the City of Hot Springs boasts of having 22 parks within and surrounding the city limits, along with the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail and the future home of the Stokes Creek Greenway Trail. Between all these entities, Hot Springs has more than 100 miles of hiking/walking trails. In an effort to bring awareness to pollinators, the City of Hot Springs partners with community groups such as the Master Gardeners and Arkansas Master Naturalists, Diamond Lakes Division (DLAMN) to host a variety of presentations and educational events at pollinator areas on city-owned parks and trails. By signing the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe has committed to continue to save the monarch butterfly and other pollinators and looks forward to engaging residents in pollinator education and building more pollinator habitats throughout the city.
City of Palm Springs
Palm Springs, CA
Ron deHarte
Summary for 2025
The City of Palm Springs is a desert city located in southern California, within the Coachella Valley. Sheltered by the San Bernadino Mountains to the north, the little San Bernardino Mountains to the east, the Santa Rosa Mountains to the south, and the San Jacinto Mountains to the west, Palm Springs is home to many beautiful and important nature parks, recreational parks, trails, gardens, and other natural areas. Mayor Ron deHarte of Palm Springs, California has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators by signing the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and looks forward to continuing the encouragement and promotion of establishing and protecting pollinator habitat throughout the City of Palm Springs.
City of Woodstock
Woodstock, IL
Michael Turner
Summary for 2025
“Woodstock Illinois is home to approximately 25,000 residents and is located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. The City is home to 553 acres of parkland including developed parks, natural areas, community gardens and open spaces. Mayor Michael Turner is committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators by signing the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge on March 4, 2025. The City of Woodstock, alongside it's residents and environmental ambassadors, vow to continue engaging with our community to encourage pollinator habitat rehabilitation. 2025 marks the fourth year of Woodstock’s commitment.”
Village of Romeoville
Romeoville, IL
John Noak
Summary for 2025
City of Minnetonka
Minnetonka, MN
Brad Wiersum
Summary for 2025
Minnetonka is a fully developed suburban community of more than 53,000 residents located eight miles west of Minneapolis. The city’s natural surroundings — including woodlands, prairies, wetlands and other bodies of water — set it apart from similar-sized Twin Cities suburbs and give the community a distinct character. Minnetonka has a long history of habitat protection and restoration, and in 2017 joined the Mayors' Monarch Pledge to focus on actions that benefit monarchs, pollinators and other wildlife on public and private property. Minnetonka has been a Monarch Champion city four times since 2020. We welcome you to contact our pledge coordinator, Christine Petersen (cpetersen@minnetonkamn.gov or 952-988-8442) to learn more about Minnetonka’s efforts on behalf of pollinators.
Village of Wilmette
Wilmette, IL
Senta Plunkett
Summary for 2025
The Village of Wilmette is located in the North Shore suburbs of the City of Chicago. Wilmette has a population of roughly 28,000. The Village is located along Lake Michigan and is home to extensive urban forests and a large tree canopy. President Plunkett of Wilmette, IL has committed to saving monarch butterflies, preserving native pollinators, and making progress on a variety of Village sustainability initiatives. Village Trustees and staff look forward to engaging residents in upkeeping and expanding our pollinator habitat throughout Wilmette.
Village of Huntley
Huntley, IL
Timothy Hoeft
Summary for 2025
The Village of Huntley, home to nearly 30,000 residents, is strategically positioned in Chicago’s "Golden Corridor" at the crossroads of I-90 and Route 47. As one of the region’s fastest-growing communities, Huntley blends suburban charm with progressive growth. Under the leadership of Village President Timothy J. Hoeft, Huntley is proud to renew its commitment to monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation by participating in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. Building upon past successes, Huntley continues to collaborate with local partners such as the Huntley Park District, the Huntley Rotary Club, and community volunteers. In 2024, the Village launched its third pollinator-friendly garden at Betsey Warrington Park, contributing to the creation of meaningful pollinator habitats across public parks. For 2025, the Village plans to expand its efforts through additional demonstration gardens.
City of North Mankato
North Mankato, MN
Scott Carlson
Summary for 2025
North Mankato is a community with a population of 14,500. We currently have prairies at Benson Park, Bluff Park and a small demonstration prairie at City Hall along with19 other community parks, which incorporate Pollinator gardens. In 2022 an area in Spring Lake Park was transitioned into a sanctuary garden. A 5 year plan is in place to make another pollinator garden. Mayor Carlson of North Mankato has committed to saving the Monarch butterfly and other pollinators with the signing of the Mayors' Monarch pledge. It is our goal to work with the Local Master Gardeners and the 4H groups to help in the education to our citizens about pollinator gardens and their purpose.
Town of Penfield
Penfield, NY
Jeff Leenhouts
Summary for 2025
The Town of Penfield is located in New York State with a population of just under 40,000. On the outskirts of the City of Rochester Penfield has 10 town owned parks including approximately 390 acres of land. Penfield strives to be a good steward of the environment and has a sustainability committee that focuses on energy and environmental conservation. Supervisor Leenhouts and the Penfield Town Board are dedicated to taking initiatives to protect native pollinators, specifically the monarch butterfly, and look forward to continuing to engage with residents through education and protection of pollinator habitat.
