City of Mesa
Mesa, AZ
Mark Freeman
Summary for 2025
The decline of monarch butterflies is a serious issue, driven largely by habitat loss from urban development. By joining the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, we commit to creating and improving habitats for these essential pollinators. Cities can help by preserving natural areas, planting native milkweed in parks, gardens, and along streets, and we can inspire our residents to do the same in their yards. The City of Mesa, situated in central Arizona’s bustling metropolitan area, is nestled in the beautiful desert Southwest. Mesa is fortunate to work with Southwest Monarch Study, a nonprofit dedicated to researching the migration and breeding patterns of monarch butterflies across Arizona and the Southwestern U. S. Through their efforts, we know that there is much more to discover about the wild monarch migration throughout our region. It is an honor for me to support this initiative from the National Wildlife Federation and to join hundreds of other mayors and community leaders in this effort.
Village of Grayslake
Grayslake, IL
Rhett Taylor
Summary for 2025
Grayslake is a Village located in Northeast Illinois with a population of roughly 21,000. The Village has worked extensively to maintain and create green space in conjunction with development, and places emphasis on planting native plants and other pollinator promoting plants when undertaking landscaping and other projects. Mayor Taylor is committed to protecting the Monarch butterfly population and looks forward to continuing to work to promote local pollinators through the Village’s efforts as well as engaging the community about ways they can help the Monarchs at home.
City of La Crosse
La Crosse, WI
Mitch Reynolds
Summary for 2025
City of Thornton
Thornton, CO
Jan Kulmann
Summary for 2025
Thornton, Colorado, is a City of approximately 140,000 residents in the north Denver metro area, running south to north paralleling the beautiful Colorado Front Range. Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann is committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with the signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. She looks forward to continuing her engagement with residents in developing additional pollinator habitat throughout the City. To improve Monarch life cycle success, Mayor Kulmann has encouraged intentional maintenance practices designed for the restoration of pollinator habitat. These practices include reduction of pesticide use near milkweed in targeted locations and the innovative Naturally Thornton program, converting turfgrass into sustainable and native grasslands. In addition, Mayor Kulmann actively supports the citizen driven Monarch Fly Way initiative, which links City appropriate breeding habitat into a single unified habitat corridor, characterized by appropriate maintenance and public education.
City of Angleton
Angleton, TX
John Wright
Summary for 2025
Angleton, the County Seat of Brazoria County, blends a strong community spirit with a small-town feel, all within the Houston metropolitan area. Covering 11.3 square miles, this diverse city is home to nearly 20,000 residents. Our Mayor, Council and Parks & Recreation Department has made a commitment to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators by signing the Mayor's Monarch Pledge. With this pledge, the city is dedicated to creating and maintaining pollinator habitats and engaging residents in efforts to protect and promote these vital species throughout the community.
City of Rochester
Rochester, IN
Trent O'Dell
Summary for 2025
Rochester is located in northern Indiana and is home to Lake Manitou. It is nestled in the center of Fulton County and is home to nearly 15,000 people. For the 2025 monarch conversation year, we pledge to expand resources to the Butterfly Garden to increase the number of native plants. Additionally, our Summer Park's Program will focus on raising awareness of the Monarch conversation initiative through community art and literacy projects.
City of Buda
Buda, TX
Lee Urbanovsky
Summary for 2025
Buda is a city in central Texas with a population of roughly 17,000 people. Receiving the designation of the Outdoor Capital of Texas, Buda has committed to creating outdoor recreation space for its community, as well as protecting habitat for various pollinator species. By signing the Mayor's Monarch Pledge, Buda is furthering this commitment to protecting and creating pollinator habitat throughout the city.
Village of Pleasantville
Village of Pleasantville, NY
Peter Scherer
Summary for 2025
Pleasantville is a community of 7,500 people in the center of Westchester County, NY. We look forward to working with the 50-year-old Pleasantville Garden Club to expand and support pollinator plantings.
City of Parma Heights
Parma Heights, OH
Marie Gallo
Summary for 2025
City of Garden Ridge
Garden Ridge, TX
Lisa Swint
Summary for 2025
The City of Garden Ridge is located in southern Comal County with a population just under 5,000 and a total area of 7.3 square miles. Located in Comal County and 12 miles south of New Braunfels, we pride ourselves in our tradition and history. Garden Ridge is known for its community and rural style -- where neighbors love helping neighbors. We strive to preserve the natural beauty of the landscape, making Garden Ridge "Naturally Home”. There are four pocket parks nestled within the neighborhoods in addition to the beautifully landscaped Paul Davis Park that provides pavilions, picnic tables, grills, playground equipment, a variety of sports fields, a brick garden, as well as a Butterfly Meadow. The Comal Master Gardeners also maintain a butterfly garden on City Hall grounds filled with foliage and flowers to attract butterflies and birds.
