City of Parma Heights
Parma Heights, OH
Marie Gallo
Summary for 2026
Parma Heights is a city of approximately 20,000 residents and a Southwestern suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Mayor Marie Gallo has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and expanding Parma Heights' Parks and Recreation Department. She engages our community in supporting wildlife and educating residents on their value and purpose.
Village of Johnsburg
Johnsburg, IL
Edwin Hettermann
Summary for 2026
The Village of Johnsburg is a beautiful, quaint, and thriving community that warmly welcomes all to the neighborhood; monarchs included, now for the fifth consecutive year. Located approximately seven miles from the Wisconsin border, Johnsburg offers convenient access to both Chicago and Milwaukee, making it highly desirable for those seeking a more rural lifestyle without sacrificing proximity to employment, shopping, dining, and essential services. There is truly something for everyone in our Village. From the scenic views along Pistakee Lake and well-maintained parks offering a variety of recreational opportunities, to relaxing afternoons spent with family and friends, Johnsburg is a place you’ll be proud to call home. With a population of around 6,400 residents, our community fosters meaningful connections and the opportunity to build lasting friendships. As Johnsburg continues to grow both economically and recreationally, we remain committed to preserving our heritage, maintaining our connection to nature, and upholding our strong hometown values. Village President Edwin P. Hettermann and Trustee/Development & Government Affairs Chair Keith Von Allmen have reaffirmed their commitment to environmental stewardship by signing the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge for the fifth consecutive year. This initiative supports efforts to protect monarch butterflies and other vital pollinators while encouraging residents to establish and maintain pollinator-friendly habitats throughout the Village. Additional environmentally conscious efforts include the adoption of “No Mow May,” a growing initiative designed to support early-season pollinators and emerging insect populations by allowing natural lawn growth during the critical spring period.
City of Jersey City
Jersey City, NJ
James Solomon
Summary for 2026
The City of Jersey City is a diverse and vibrant community of approximately 302,000 residents, making it New Jersey’s second most populous city. Historically shaped by its proximity to Ellis Island and New York City, the city became a gateway for immigrants and developed into a patchwork of cultural enclaves. Geographically, Jersey City is bordered by the Hudson and Hackensack Rivers. In a dense, diverse, and environmentally vulnerable city like Jersey City, investing in trees, native plants, and environment conversation helps bridge social and geographic divides. Mayor Solomon of Jersey City, NJ 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 Columbia, MO
Columbia, MO
Barbara Buffaloe
Summary for 2026
Columbia Missouri is a cozy college town smack dab in the middle of Missouri. The town offers its 100,000+ residents many ways to access nature through our robust trail and parks systems. Columbia is home to a number of nature areas that protect and restore the prairies that were historically found throughout much of the state. With the signing of the Mayor's Monarch Pledge, Mayor Buffaloe is committed to saving the eastern monarch and other vital pollinator species.
City of Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva, WI
Todd Krause
Summary for 2026
Lake Geneva, WI is a small resort community on beautiful Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin. Lake Geneva welcomes thousands of tourists each year for its rich history, lake recreation and small downtown charm. It is also home to residents passionate about the environment, protecting its lake, and nurturing biking, birding and hiking sports. In recent years the Rotary Club of Lake Geneva created a Monarch Habitat Garden between the Lake Geneva Public Library and City Owned Lake Path in which the City maintains the Garden and holds educational programs focused on monarchs each spring. The Youth Librarian uses the Garden in her children’s programs. In addition, the Friends of Hillmoor and the City of Lake Geneva are developing a 230+ acre property to include nature trails, native plantings, and pollinator gardens. This area will continue to be developed and maintained by the City with the help of any volunteer organizations.
City Of Marengo
Marengo, IL
Mike Proffitt
Summary for 2026
Marengo is a community of 7,500 people in western McHenry County, surrounded by farm fields. The City Mayor and Admin have been fully behind MMP for the 5 years of their pledge. The City allows the MMP volunteers to use city property on which to build our MMP gardens
City of Tempe
Tempe, AZ
Corey Woods
Summary for 2026
The city of Tempe, Arizona acknowledges the important role pollinators play in maintaining biodiversity, supporting local food systems, and guarding ecological resilience. The city is an innovative urban hub in the Phoenix Metro Area, and is committed to integrating pollinator-friendly landscapes across public spaces, parks, and urban corridors. Through future-thinking policies and community-driven initiatives, Tempe is installing Sonoran-native vegetation that support Monarch and other butterflies, bees, and other pollinator species. Efforts include expanding rainwater harvesting coupled with desert plantings, collaboration with other city departments, and encouraging residents and businesses to plant milkweed and nectar-rich flora. By embracing conservation as a key element of its sustainability vision, Tempe is not only safeguarding monarchs and pollinators but also fostering a healthier, more vibrant urban environment for generations to come.
Pennfield Charter Township
Pennfield Charter Township, MI
Kevin Leiter
Summary for 2026
Pennfield Charter Township is located in southwest Michigan and has a population of roughly 8,700. The township is working to expand outdoor recreation opportunities and encourage public enjoyment of our natural resources. Supervisor Leiter of Pennfield, MI has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with his signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and looks forward to engaging residents in building more pollinator habitat throughout the township.
City of Wausau
Wausau, WI
Doug Diny
Summary for 2026
Wausau is a vibrant Central Wisconsin city of approximately 40,000 residents, proudly known as the gateway to northern Wisconsin and “Wisconsin’s Base Camp” for world-class outdoor recreation. Nestled along the Wisconsin River, our community values its natural spaces, including outstanding public gardens like Monk Botanical Gardens. The City of Wausau is committed to supporting monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation in practical, meaningful ways. Through our Sustainability Committee (SEEC), we are building on existing efforts such as public education in city newsletters encouraging residents to plant monarch-friendly gardens, delayed mowing schedules in pollinator areas like Schofield Park, and a student-created demonstration garden at City Hall.
City of Salem
Salem, OR
Julie Hoy
Summary for 2026
The City of Salem, located in the heart of the lush Willamette River Valley, 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, the Willamette River, many creeks and wetlands, numerous parks and natural areas, and a growing urban community. Salem first took the Mayors Monarch Pledge in 2017, joining other cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico to take action to help save the monarch butterfly. We have renewed our pledge annually since then, and 2026 is no exception. Salem’s Mayor, Julie Hoy, is renewing the City's commitment to increasing monarch and pollinator habitat throughout the City of Salem and encouraging the public to do the same.
