City of Pflugerville
Pflugerville, TX
Victor Gonzales
Summary for 2025
The City of Pflugerville (COP), where quality meets life, is a vastly expanding city north of Austin, with an estimated population of 73,000. The city has grown from 549 residents in 1970. Pflugerville’s uniqueness expands beyond its name and the “Pf”, Pflugerville has more than 500 acres of parks and 529 areas of open space and more than 40 miles of trails in the city’s only 25.56 square miles. Pflugerville is known for its pfamily-pfriendly atmosphere, for keeping a small-town feel in the midst of growth, and for its rich German culture; and others are noticing. The City of Pflugerville is ranked #70 on Livability's 2020 "Top 100 Best Small to Mid- Size Cities" list. Pflugerville reached 15 consecutive years of recognition as a Tree City USA from the Arbor Day Foundation and National Association of State Foresters for its efforts and commitments to urban forestry. Pflugerville has been named a Gold Star Affiliate by Keep Texas Beautiful for the fourth year in a row. Additionally, Pflugerville has received Platinum Level Scenic City Certification by Scenic Texas based on an evaluation of the city's parks, trails and open spaces, enhanced streetscapes, sign control, unique municipal features, special programs and other programs that affect overall visual appeal of the community. And finally, Pflugerville was also ranked in the 92th percentile out of over 1,200 U.S. cities on WalletHub's "2022's Best Small Cities in America" list.
City of Perris
Perris, CA
Michael Vargas
Summary for 2025
The City of Perris is deeply committed to monarch and pollinator conservation through initiatives like Grow Perris, which promotes sustainable practices and green community development. The city continuously develops and proposes green spaces and community gardens to create habitats for pollinators while practicing responsible gardening techniques, such as avoiding pesticides, to maintain pollinator-friendly environments. Through educational programs, Perris engages youth in learning about the critical role pollinators play in ecosystems and their overall impact on biodiversity. Additionally, the city provides ample pollinator areas within its community spaces and gardens, ensuring support for pollinator populations. These efforts align with the goals of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge and highlight the city's dedication to environmental stewardship.
City of Toledo
Toledo, OH
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Summary for 2025
The City of Toledo is located in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Strategic Priority-Environment Ensure all our environmental resources, major equipment, and infrastructure are efficient and sustainable for long-term viability. Objectives 1. Promote conservation of natural resources by incentivizing and implementing sustainable practices, energy efficiency, and alternative energy solutions. 2. Promote and implement sustainability practices within the organization. 3. Provide education and leadership to ensure natural resources are preserved for future generations. 4. Maintain reliable utility infrastructure to deliver safe and clean water to all residents and facilitate wastewater treatment and storm water management. 5. Develop and sustain public infrastructure that services the needs of the community, including utilities and water supply. 6. Operate water, sewer, and storm water utilities in a manner which provides for the health of the community and protects and promotes environmental sustainability.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, IA
Thomas Wieseler
Summary for 2025
Mt. Vernon is a bedroom community of 4527 in east central Iowa. We are home to 1100 student Cornell College and a high achieving school district. We have no big industry but are a Main Street USA community with a vibrant 12 festival calendar of events in our quaint downtown. There is a large focus on all things sustainable from car charging stations, geothermal in our public buildings coupled with solar panels. Many of our residences have solar as well. An active sustainability committee focus's on water quality, no mow May, prairie establishment and pollinator friendly areas.
City of Elizabeth
Elizabeth, NJ
Ruby Contreras
Summary for 2025
City of Pacifc Grove
Pacific Grove, CA
Nick Smith
Summary for 2025
Pacific Grove, often called the "Butterfly Town, USA," is a charming coastal city on the Monterey Peninsula in California. Known for its rugged coastline, picturesque Victorian architecture, and vibrant natural beauty, the town has a unique connection to the migratory monarch butterflies that arrive annually to overwinter in the eucalyptus, Monterey pine, and cypress trees at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary. The community plays a vital role in preserving this phenomenon. Local conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration, planting nectar flowers, and protecting the groves where monarchs cluster. Environmental education programs and events like the Butterfly Parade celebrate the town's bond with these delicate creatures, drawing visitors and reinforcing the importance of ecological stewardship.
Village of Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove, IL
Eric Smith
Summary for 2025
Nestled in the northwest Chicago suburbs, the vibrant Village of Buffalo Grove perfectly blends a commitment to knowledge with a focus on creating the best life for all of its residents. This thoughtful approach pervades across the community and can best be described as Smart. With Heart. Located 35 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois, the Village of Buffalo Grove is a bustling, home-rule municipality covering more than 9.25 square miles in both Cook and Lake Counties. Our residents enjoy nationally-ranked public schools, expansive open spaces, access to employment centers, and other important amenities. We pride ourselves on being a great place to Live, Work and Learn. With an active volunteer base committed to preserving and protecting native habitats that support pollinators like the monarch butterfly, Buffalo Grove takes these efforts to heart, and Village President Eric Smith is proud to once agin sign on to the Mayor's Monarch Pledge to prioritize these efforts in 2025.
Village/Town of Mount Kisco
Mount Kisco, NY
Michael Cindrich
Summary for 2025
Mount Kisco is a coterminous Village and Town located in northern Westchester County, NY, and comprises 3.1 square miles, has a population of 10,959, and includes 4,337 households. The town has many public green spaces, with extensive wetlands between hills up to 600 feet in height. It is a thriving small town with many restaurants and stores, and a diverse cultural life. For decades, the local government and volunteer groups have promoted a healthy environment as one of the key benefits of life in Mount Kisco. The town incorporated a Natural Resources Inventory into local law, and supports pollinator gardens and the regional Pollinator Pathway, and prohibits the use of pesticides on town property. Recently, the town completed invasive removal and the planting of 100 native trees and hundreds of native, pollinator-friendly perennials along Branch Brook, a stream that runs through the center of our the village.
City of Harvard
Harvard, IL
pat lawlor
Summary for 2025
Harvard has been a part of the Mayors Monarch Pledge for about 3 years. The mayor and administrator in the city are very supportive. The plan is to use the gardeners gathered at our facebook page Harvard Monarch Pledge to find a steward for each new garden plot
City of McAllen
McAllen, TX
Javier Villalobos
Summary for 2025
The City of McAllen is a city in south Texas with a population of roughly 142,000. It is the largest city in Hidalgo County of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, a region known for its high biodiversity and as an ecotourism destination. Mayor Javier Villalobos of McAllen, Texas has committed to conserving the monarch butterfly and the pollinator community that are so important to ecosystem and economic health. Mayor Villalobos looks forward to engaging residents and creating more pollinator habitat in the city.
