City of Rochester
Rochester, MN
Kim Norton
Summary for 2023
Rochester, MN is a growing city in the north central part of the United States. We are a town of approximately 124,000 and the third largest city in Minnesota. We do have strategies in our Sustainability & Resiliency Plan that align with action items in the Monarch Pledge and our Sustainability Coordinator is excited to assist in this area. Many of the action items are already in the works under the guidance of our Environmental Education Specialist and City Parks Department Forester, too. We are all excited about continuing to make improvements that will support the Monarch in 2023!
Town of Trenton
Trenton, ME
R. Frederick Ehrlenbach
Summary for 2023
Trenton is a small town of approximately 1,500 people. It is located at the gateway between the nearest metropolitan area of Ellsworth and Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. In 2022 the town planted two small demonstration pollinator gardens, one behind the town office and a second behind the Trenton Elementary School. The Select Board has pledged to help conserve the Monarch butterfly and to encourage its citizens to participate in community activities in relation to pollinator conservation.
Lorain
Lorain, OH
Jack Bradley
Summary for 2023
The City of Lorain planted its first pollinator garden last year across from City hall. We then formed public private partnerships with 12 businesses and nonprofits to add 12 more pollinator gardens throughout our City. We also provided American Rescue Funds to the Little Lighthouse Daycare program to add a pollinator garden and nature area next to their facility.
City of Springfield
Springfield, IL
James Langfelder
Summary for 2023
The City of Springfield is the capital of the great state of Illinois, with a population around 113,000. Springfield lies in a valley and plain near the Sangamon River, with its own Lake managed by City Water, Light & Power (CWLP). There are multiple public and private schools in Springfield. In an effort to be a more environmentally friendly city, Mayor Langfelder of Springfield, IL has committed to helping the monarch butterfly (our state insect) and other pollinators by their signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and completing the action steps necessary to do so.
City of Parma Heights
Parma Heights, OH
Marie Gallo
Summary for 2023
Mayor Marie Gallo accepted the Mayors' Monarch Pledge in tandem with her goal to expand the Parks and Recreation Department in Parma Heights. She is committed to engaging her community in supporting wildlife and educating them on their value and purpose. Mayor Gallo will continue to expand her city pollinator gardens and fight the invasive species in our local parks!
Bella Vista
Bella Vista, AR
John Flynn
Summary for 2023
Bella Vista is a city of 30,000 residents, nestled in the Ozark Mountains. It has 7 lakes, 7 golfcourses and over 100 miles of bike trails. Mayor Flynn is committed to saving the Monarch Butterfly and other pollinators with the signing of The Mayors' Monarch Pledge.
City of Sandy Springs
City of Sandy Springs, GA
Rusty Paul
Summary for 2023
The City of Sandy Springs is the second largest city in metro Atlanta with a vibrant a population of approximately 110,000. Enjoying twenty-two miles of shoreline along the Chattahoochee River, two local forest preserves and hundreds of acres of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, environmental stewardship is a natural priority for Sandy Springs. We became a Bee City USA Affiliate in 2021, and by signing the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, we strengthen our commitment to improving pollinator habitat in our parks and engaging the community in efforts to saving the monarch butterfly and native wildlife in general.
Township of Robbinsville
Robbinsville, NJ
David Fried
Summary for 2023
Robbinsville Township is an up and coming diverse town of 15,000 with deep roots in agriculture. Robbinsville is located in Central New Jersey near Trenton and Princeton, and contains a rich history in farming and education that continues to this day. Besides the thousands of acres of preserved farmland, the township, under the direction of Mayor David Fried, Business Administrator Joy Tozzi and Township Council, has already provided a beautiful Butterfly Garden and is currently developing natural meadows at one of its natural environments at Miry Run, which flourishes with Monarchs during the warmer peak seasons. Robbinsville Township is committed to creating additional butterfly sanctuaries throughout the township that will effectively enhance the Monarch population and provide a safe environment for Monarchs and other key pollinators for years to come.
City of Columbus
Columbus, OH
Andrew J. Ginther
Summary for 2023
Columbus is a city in central Ohio with a population of roughly 906,528. The city has a strong commitment to sustainability and has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050. Mayor Andrew J. Ginther has committed to saving the monarch butterfly by signing the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and engaging residents in creating more pollinator habitat throughout the city. The main arms of this initiative are the Columbus GreenSpot program and programs within the Recreation and Parks Department along with dozens of community partnerships.
Village of Lake in the Hills
Lake in the Hills, IL
Raymond Bogdanowski
Summary for 2023
The Village of Lake in the Hills, Illinois is located in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago with a population of 28,982. Since 1952, Lake in the Hills has provided a high quality of life for its residents and businesses. The community is home to 34 parks, with the largest natural resource being the 240-acre Fen at Barbara Key Park. The Village's recreational programs focus on utilizing outdoor spaces to bring the community together throughout the year. Aligning with the Village’s dedication to the preservation of our natural areas, Village President Ray Bogdanowski has demonstrated his commitment to creating or preserving pollinator habitats and educating citizens about how they can make a difference. With his signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, he encourages Village residents and staff to take steps to increase the planting of milkweed and nectar plants to preserve and strengthen the monarch butterfly population.
