City of Harker Heights
Harker Heights, TX
Spencer H. Smith
Summary for 2022
Harker Heights is a City in Central Texas with a population of roughly 34,000. The city is home to many who are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces due to its proximity to Fort Hood, one the largest Army installations in the world. Mayor Spencer H. Smith of Harker Heights, TX has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with their signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and looks forward to engaging residents in building more pollinator habitat throughout the city.
Township of Franklin
Franklin Township (mailing address - "Somerset"), NJ
Phillip Kramer
Summary for 2022
Franklin Township is a 46-square mile municipality located in the southeastern portion of Somerset County, New Jersey. Previously recognized by Money Magazine as one of the top 100 places to live, Franklin Township is home to over 65,000 people. In Franklin, many different land uses can be found. The Township has over 200 acres of native grasslands preserves, 22 miles of the Delaware-Raritan Canal, a large portion of the State's Six-Mile Run Reservoir Park, multiple municipal parks and recreational facilities, urban areas, farms, and much more. The mission of Franklin Township is as follows: "Residents of the Township of Franklin will live and thrive in a community that values community pride and spirit, celebrates diversity and creates an environment that provides opportunities for all people so that they develop as healthy, caring, positive, educated and responsible members of the community". As part of creating this type of environment, Franklin is committed to preserving open spaces and protecting habitat. The Township joined the Mayors Monarch Pledge in 2021 and was able to incorporate the protection of pollinator habitat as well as the inclusion of pollinator habitat into new projects. Our Open Space Advisory Committee, Trails Advisory Committee, and Environmental Commission now incorporate the practice of pollinator protection, conservation and advancement into its regular work. Franklin understands the importance of pollinators and habitat for pollinators, and intends to continue making this work part of our standard practice in all applicable projects. We pledge to continue to work closely with our municipal staff and committees to ensure this practice, and hope to measure our success in forwarding this incredible cause!
City of Rochester
Rochester, MI
Stuart Bikson
Summary for 2022
Rochester is a city in southeast Michigan with a population of roughly 13,000. Rochester is home to several beautiful parks and gardens. Mayor Bikson of Rochester, MI has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with their signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and looks forward to engaging residents in building more pollinator habitat throughout the city.
City of Salem
Salem, OR
Chuck Bennett
Summary for 2022
The City of Salem encompasses portions of Marion and Polk counties in the heart of the lush Willamette River Valley, 50 miles south of Portland. Salem is the state capital of Oregon, government seat of Marion County, and the state's third largest city. Salem's landscape is characterized by a mix of rich valley farmland and orchards, rolling hills, mixed forests, creeks, wetlands, and the Willamette River. Mayor Bennett of Salem, Oregon, has committed to saving pollinators and their habitats with his signing of the Monarch Pledge. The mayor looks forward to engaging residents in building more pollinator habitat throughout the city.
City of Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dean Trantalis
Summary for 2022
Incorporated on March 27, 1911, encompassing approximately 36 square miles with an estimated population of 186,220, Fort Lauderdale is the largest of Broward County's 31 municipalities and one of the ten largest cities in Florida. Embraced by the Atlantic Ocean, New River and a myriad of scenic inland waterways, Fort Lauderdale truly lives up to its designation as the "Venice of America." Mayor Trantalis has committed to raise awareness for the monarch butterfly by signing the Mayors' Monarch Pledge and continuing to build community support for increased butterfly habitats throughout the City. Community Spotlight: The Snyder Park Butterfly Garden and educational program was made possible through key partnerships with the National Recreation and Parks Association, Kids Ecology Corps, and Flamingo Road Nursery.
Village of Northbrook
Northbrook, IL
Kathryn Ciesla
Summary for 2022
Northbrook got its name from being situated along the North Branch of the Chicago River and has a history of championing successful conservation efforts. Our community reignited a commitment to sustainability with the adoption of a Climate Action Plan to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster resiliency through planning and outreach. We believe protecting wildlife, adapting to a changing climate, and promoting responsible land management go hand-in-hand through pollinator conservation initiatives such as the Mayors Monarch Pledge.
Palos Heights
Palos Heights, IL
Robert Straz
Summary for 2022
This will be our 5th year that the city of Palos Heights is committing the Mayors' Monarch Pledge. We have conducted a variety of actions over the years as part of our commitment, including planting pollinator gardens, restoring landscapes, conducting educational programs, nature related events and public outreach. We are excited to continue this effort in 2022 to help the beleaguered Monarch butterfly with a variety of new restoration efforts and educational programs.
City of West Chicago
West Chicago, IL
Ruben Pineda
Summary for 2022
West Chicago is a diverse, family-oriented community with a population of roughly 25,600. The City is located approximately 30 miles west of the City of Chicago, with a rich cultural mix and a proud heritage. Mayor Pineda's commitment to saving the monarch butterfly started in 2017 when he signed his first Mayor's Monarch Pledge. He looks forward to continuing efforts to educate the public on the importance of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators, and demonstrate how the community can help save them by planting native milkweed and other pollinator-friendly native nectar plants.
City of Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Christopher Taylor
Summary for 2022
Ann Arbor is a city located along the picturesque Huron River in southeast Michigan. With a population of about 120,000, it is home to over 160 parks, totaling about 2,200 acres. Over half of those acres are comprised of natural areas which are managed and maintained by the Natural Area Preservation division of the Parks and Recreation Services Unit. The University of Michigan and Washtenaw County also own and maintain significant natural acreage within the city. Mayor Christopher Taylor has signed the Mayors' Monarch Pledge in recognition of the importance of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators to the health of our ecosystems and our citizens. We are committed to protecting and restoring our precious pollinator habitat.
City of Rockwall
Rockwall, TX
Kevin Fowler
Summary for 2022
The City of Rockwall has been involved in Monarch Butterfly Conservation for the past several years. The City of Rockwall has eight Monarch Butterfly Waystations within the Rockwall Park System. These waystations are maintained and planted in cooperation with the Rockwall Parks and Recreation Department, The Butterfly Brigade and the Butterfly Battalion volunteer groups.
