The City of Westlake
Westlake, OH
Dennis Clough
Summary for 2026
The City of Westlake, a vibrant suburb located 22 miles west of Cleveland with a population of approximately 34,248 residents, is deeply committed to monarch and pollinator conservation. Our community already hosts several pollinator gardens throughout city parks and municipal properties, and we continue to expand these habitats as part of our long‑term environmental stewardship efforts. In addition to maintaining and expanding our pollinator-friendly landscapes, the city will actively work to educate residents and local businesses about the essential role pollinator gardens play in supporting healthy ecosystems. We look forward to strengthening our dedication to protecting monarchs and other vital pollinators for generations to come.
City of Evanston
Evanston, IL
Daniel Biss
Summary for 2026
The City of Evanston is comprised of approximately 78,000 people. It is located in the Chicagoland area, along the coast of Lake Michigan. Evanston is dedicated to the preservation and expansion of native habitat, especially for the protection of pollinators, including the Monarch butterfly.
Hillsborough Township
Hillsborough, NJ
Catherine Payne
Summary for 2026
Hillsborough Township, located in Somerset Country, is centrally located in the state of New Jersey with a population approaching 45,000. Hillsborough spans over 50 square miles and offers over 15 public parks through the municipality. Mayor Payne and the Township Committee have committed to supporting the Mayors Monarch pledge through action item projects accomplished throughout the town. Hillsborough's plans include to not only continue the beautification of its parks, but to also provide natural habitats for the monarch butterflies throughout the community. This would be Hillsborough's second year participating in the Mayors Monarch Pledge. Last year we had planted multiple pollinator gardens, hosted community education sessions and provided information to residents which provided guidance should they want to create their own pollinator gardens on their property. **Please note that while we will be selecting action items, we will be confirming throughout the year initiatives we're able to accomplish based on budget, staff and community involvement**
Moon Township
Moon, PA
David Bachman
Summary for 2026
Moon Township is a suburb of Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania. The Township is home to a population of approximately 25,000 people. Moon Township has a long-standing tradition of investment in public parks and open space. The Township has three landmark parks that feature over 600 acres of open space and over 15 miles of hiking trails. In 2019 the Township converted open areas in both Robin Hill Park and Moon Park into no-mow wildflower meadows. The meadows have been planted with special blends of native flowers and grasses specifically for pollinators. The Township also participates in the Pollinator Pathway program developing community Pollinator Pathways through volunteer efforts working together to establish pollinator-friendly habitats. In addition to the Pollinator Pathways, the Township also participates in the Wildlife-Friendly Community program with the National Wildlife Federation to create a wildlife habitat throughout the community while educating and engaging residents. Moon Township residents have certified their own gardens and yards assisting the Township in reaching the certification goal.
City of Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
Connie Boesen
Summary for 2026
The City of Des Moines Iowa is in the heart of the Midwest and in the heart of the fall Monarch Migration flight way. The City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation along with the Blank Park Zoo, Science Center of Iowa, and Des Moines Botanical Center all work together to promote and provide support for Monarch Conservation in our city. Mayor Boesen has committed to conservation and sustainable practices that enhance our city as well as provide habitat for monarch butterflies, pollinators, and wildlife in our city.
State of Iowa (multiple communities)
Clayton Center , IA
Lynne Campbell
Summary for 2026
The Let’s Get Connected Grant support building community coalitions based on research from the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium (IMCC). We will implement guidance shared in the Iowa Monarch Conservation Strategy. We support the implementation of experiential learning experiences that are designed to convince stakeholders to add habit that specifically includes milkweeds-- one plant, one garden, and one field at a time. There are many ways to connect, so “Let’s Get Connected.” We will support 33 communities to engage with citizen science through organizations that include Monarch Watch, Monarch Joint Venture, Miles for Monarchs, Miles for Monarchs Corporate, Journey North, Mayors for Monarchs Pledge and Action Items, and Symbolic Migration as key partners to connect stakeholders with community-focused engagement. The grant funding timeline was such that I could not connect with every community to take action before March 31.
City of Boerne
Boerne, TX
Frank Ritchie
Summary for 2026
Boerne, the county seat of Kendall County, is among the nation’s fastest-growing and most desirable places to live, known for its historic charm, scenic Hill Country landscapes, lively parks, and award-winning community services. Situated about 30 miles northwest of San Antonio, the seventh-largest city in the United States, Boerne lies along the southern edge of the Edwards Plateau, an area rich in natural and cultural assets. The City of Boerne and Kendall County work closely with a network of conservation-focused organizations, land trusts, and dedicated volunteers. Together, they provide education, promote stewardship, and carry out programs that support native biodiversity. These collaborative efforts are reflected in the preservation and enhancement of habitats for native plants and pollinators across this ecologically diverse region.
City of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
Justin M. Bibb
Summary for 2026
Cleveland is an industrial legacy city, situated on the shores of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, and proud of its historical manufacturing and blue-collar roots. At the same time, we are committed to innovation and to building healthy, thriving communities for every resident. Our city has long been a national leader in environmental action. From Mayor Carl Stokes’ fight for cleaner waterways in 1969 to the decade-long Sustainable Cleveland movement, Cleveland has consistently paired bold sustainability and climate goals with deep community collaboration. Those efforts brought together residents, neighborhood leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and regional partners to shape a more sustainable present and future. Today, under Mayor Justin M. Bibb’s leadership, and that of Director Sarah O’Keeffe, the Mayor's Office of Sustainability leads Cleveland's initiatives focused on reducing the city's carbon footprint, advancing climate action and resiliency, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents, including through biodiversity and nature-based solutions that help our natural systems thrive. The work advances through strong partnerships with residents, businesses, schools, community organizations, public libraries, and city departments to integrate sustainability into Clevelanders everyday lives. For the 2026 Monarch Pledge, we will specifically work with our Cleveland Public Library, our Cuyahoga Community College, our Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, a local non-profit, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, our own city departments of Parks and Recreation and Public Works and others to engage Clevelanders in learning about the Monarch and other pollinators, both formally and informally, and how to support their habitat in our community.
City of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, FL
Nancy Sikes-Kline
Summary for 2026
Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States. Forty-two years before the English colonized Jamestown and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Spanish established at St. Augustine this nation's first enduring settlement.
City of South Bend
South Bend, IN
James Mueller
Summary for 2026
South Bend is a city of 100,000 people, found in north-central Indiana.
