City of Palm Desert
Palm Desert , CA
Evan Trubee
Summary for 2026
Palm Desert is a vibrant city in California’s Coachella Valley with a population of approximately 53,000 residents. Nestled against the Santa Rosa Mountains, it is known for its scenic desert landscapes, abundant sunshine, and wide range of parks, community gardens, and outdoor recreational spaces that support both residents and local wildlife. The city is also home to The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, a leader in environmental sustainability and species conservation, including the protection of desert plants and wildlife such as butterflies. City leadership, including Mayor Evan Trubee, has committed to protecting monarch butterflies and other pollinators through participation in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. He looks forward to strengthening the City’s partnership with The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens to engage residents in expanding pollinator-friendly habitats throughout Palm Desert. The City’s Public Works Department further supports these efforts by promoting sustainability and biodiversity through its landscaping practices. Public spaces are designed with drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly plants suited to the desert climate. Residents and HOAs are also encouraged to incorporate native plantings and reduce pesticide use. Together, these efforts help improve local ecological health and support a thriving pollinator population.
Borough of Englewood Cliffs
Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Mark Park
Summary for 2026
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey is a scenic and forward-looking community of approximately 5,800 residents, ideally situated along the Hudson River and atop the iconic Palisades cliffs, just minutes from New York City. With its unique natural landscape and close proximity to a major metropolitan area, the Borough is committed to balancing environmental stewardship with thoughtful, sustainable growth. Englewood Cliffs is actively advancing efforts to support monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation through a combination of policy, public engagement, and targeted habitat initiatives. Planned actions include increasing the use of native plants and pollinator-friendly species such as milkweed in public spaces, coordinating with volunteers and the Palisades Interstate Parkway to expand habitat in appropriate open areas, and integrating these efforts into ongoing Shade Tree Commission and beautification initiatives. The Borough will also issue a formal proclamation recognizing the importance of monarch conservation, launch a public education campaign with dedicated online resources to encourage residents to create pollinator-friendly gardens, and incorporate awareness activities into community events such as Englewood Cliffs Day. Through these efforts, Englewood Cliffs aims to take a practical, community-driven approach to expanding pollinator habitat while fostering greater environmental awareness.
Village of Glendale
Glendale, OH
Michael Besl
Summary for 2026
The Village of Glendale is a primarily residential community that proudly preserves and protects the natural environment within the Village. The Village of Glendale has been recognized as a Tree City USA community since for 30 years, maintains annual wildflower gardens, and has several active volunteer groups that dedicate their efforts to maintaining the Village's natural beauty and the benefits that provides local wildlife like the monarch butterfly.
Borough of Glen Ridge
Glen Ridge, NJ
Debbie Mans
Summary for 2026
The Borough of Glen Ridge is located in Northern New Jersey. Numerous organizations, schools, and individuals in Glen Ridge have launched projects to support monarchs and pollinators, including planting pollinator gardens at Clay and Benson Street parks and our schools, selling smooth blue aster native plants at our 2026 Arts and EcoFair, and registering properties to be part of Glen Ridge's "Pollinator Pathway" program.
Town of New Castle
Chappaqua, NY
Victoria Bayard Tipp
Summary for 2026
As described in the Town of New Castle 2017 Comprehensive Plan, New Castle’s land area is comprised mainly of bucolic, low-density residential neighborhoods. Of the Town’s approximately 15,000 acres, 14,488 acres are zoned for single-family residential use, and of these, 91% (13,194 acres) have one- or two-acre minimum lot sizes. This low-density residential development pattern, derived from the Town’s zoning, has helped to maintain scenic vistas, large lots, areas of open space quality, and forested and undisturbed swaths of land that characterize the Town’s neighborhoods. Preservation of the bucolic residential character of the community’s neighborhoods is a priority to New Castle’s residents, as reflected in our 7-Year Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day foundation, Bee City USA designation from the initiatives of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and completion of the Town of New Castle Natural Resources Inventory.
City of Polk City
Polk City, IA
Steve Karsjen
Summary for 2026
Polk City is a growing community located in central Iowa, northwest of the Des Moines metro, with a population of 6500. Polk City is uniquely located between Big Creek State Park and Saylorville Lake, two thriving outdoor destinations with a variety of flora and fauna. Priding itself on outdoor recreation and natural areas, Polk City is excited to take the Mayors' Monarch Pledge once again for 2026. Mayor Karsjen of Polk City, IA is ready to help the monarch butterfly and other pollinators by public engagement, awareness, and providing more pollinator habitat.
City of Wetumpka
Wetumpka, AL
Jerry Willis
Summary for 2026
The City of Wetumpka, Alabama, known as the “City of Natural Beauty,” is a growing community nestled along the Coosa River with a rich blend of natural landscapes, historic charm, and revitalized downtown spaces. With a strong emphasis on community development, environmental stewardship, and outdoor recreation, Wetumpka continues to invest in initiatives that enhance both quality of life and ecological sustainability. Wetumpka has demonstrated a clear commitment to pollinator conservation through recent efforts to support monarch butterflies and other essential species. In partnership with Main Street Wetumpka, the City has pledged to pursue pollinator habitat creation and conservation, including plans to establish a monarch waystation in a prominent downtown alleyway. This project will transform a central space into a vibrant pollinator garden featuring native plants such as milkweed, coneflowers, butterfly weed, and coreopsis, carefully selected to support monarch life cycles and broader pollinator health. These efforts are supported by the City’s Public Works team, including skilled horticulturalists who play a key role in planting and maintaining these habitats. Wetumpka’s location along the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail further highlights its natural appeal and provides additional opportunities to connect conservation with eco-tourism and public education. Looking ahead, Wetumpka aims to expand its pollinator initiatives by developing additional habitats throughout the community and pursuing designation through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. Through these efforts, the City seeks to engage residents, local organizations, and visitors in meaningful conservation practices while reinforcing its identity as a place where natural beauty and community pride go hand in hand.
City of Johnston
Johnston, IA
Paula Dierenfeld
Summary for 2026
The City of Johnston is a suburb of Des Moines, the capital of Iowa. The City has 13 parks and several of them have native areas that are perfect for butterfly habitat. We have recently started the restoration of 150 acres of wetland/prairie area that will soon become a great natural area and monarch habitat.
Township of South Brunswick
South Brusnwick, NJ
Charles Carley
Summary for 2026
South Brunswick Township is a town in Middlesex County, New Jersey with a population of roughly 47,000 people. The township is home to approximately 30 parks and trails, offering residents and visitors a rich network of natural spaces to explore, enjoy, and connect with the outdoors. Recognizing the importance of preserving these environments for future generations, the mayor has taken a proactive role in environmental stewardship by signing the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. This commitment underscores the township’s dedication to protecting monarch butterflies and supporting a wide range of pollinators that are essential to a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Building on this pledge, the township looks forward to actively engaging residents, community groups, and local organizations in expanding and enhancing pollinator habitats throughout the area. Through educational initiatives, community planting projects, and the incorporation of pollinator-friendly practices in public spaces, the township aims to create vibrant, sustainable landscapes that not only beautify the community but also provide critical resources for pollinators to thrive.
City of Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill, GA
Kristi Cox
Summary for 2026
Richmond Hill, Georgia is a quiet family community, located just minutes south of metropolitan Savannah. The city of nearly 17,000 residents retains a small-town charm and offers citizens a diminished crime rate, outstanding educational opportunities, community services, recreational facilities, and beautiful scenery.Visitors are impressed by its southern charm, rich history, variety of outdoor adventures, fishing, and great local seafood. With its distinctive history and scenic beauty, Richmond Hill is coastal Georgia living at its finest.
