Village of Waunakee
Waunakee, WI
Kristin Runge
Summary for 2025
The Village of Waunakee is located in south-central Wisconsin. It is a growing and thriving community with a population of roughly 16,000 people. It is home to nearly 400 acres of parkland, two conservancies, and many public green spaces. The Village of Waunakee is committed to restoring and conserving monarch and pollinator habitats throughout our community.
Village of Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow, NY
Martin Rutyna
Summary for 2025
Sleepy Hollow is an idyllic rivertown village located north of New York City on the banks of the majestic Hudson River. Sleepy Hollow, with its stunning views, has a growing population with approximately 11,000 residents, and includes many green spaces, and a growing park and trail system. The Village is also adjacent to and contains parts of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve with its over 1,700 acres of fields, forests, lakes and wetlands. The Village and its many volunteers have long supported pollinator pathways. Volunteers have planted pollinator gardens in parks and on private property around the Village to support the monarch butterfly habitat. Our Village is lucky to have a strong and growing group of dedicated volunteers who assist in achieving our monarch goals each year. The Mayor and Village are committed to protecting the monarch butterfly and other pollinators in the Village of Sleepy Hollow.
Village of Oak Park
Oak Park, IL
Vicki Scaman
Summary for 2025
The Village of Oak Park is doing its part to help save the monarch butterfly, an iconic North American species whose populations have declined dramatically in recent years. Village officials have joined hundreds of communities across the country in a pledge to create a healthy habitat that will aid monarch butterflies on their annual migration across the continent. In addition to issuing a proclamation to raise awareness of the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat, the Village plants native milkweed and nectar plants on public properties when appropriate across the community, including traffic diverters, cul-de-sacs, medians and planters. The Village's Public Works Center is also home to a certified Monarch butterfly waystation. According to the National Wildlife Federation, monarch butterflies numbered around 1 billion in 1996. Today, their numbers have declined significantly as a result of numerous threats, particularly the loss of habitat due to cropland conversion, urban development, and agricultural practices.
City of Scottsdale
Scottsdale, AZ
Lisa Borowsky
Summary for 2025
Scottsdale is a city located in Arizona. We are very proud of our parks, Sonoran Desert preserve and hiking trails. Scottsdale has several butterfly gardens in Scottsdale parks/facilities (Scottsdale Ranch Park, Rotary Park, Pima Park, Paiute Park, Granite Reef Senior Center) and our staff work to develop areas for monarch-friendly habitat in many of our rights-of-way. Scottsdale Parks and Recreation developed a new butterfly garden at Pima Park two years ago and, about the same time, partnered with a Scottsdale Leadership group to develop another monarch-friendly space along a right-of-way. Last year a volunteer group planted a number of new plants at Agua Linda Park that are designed to attract butterflies. We consistently evaluate plant material in public medians and regularly install plant material that is monarch-friendly.
Township of King
King Township , ON
Steve Pellegrini
Summary for 2025
The Township of King is one of the nine municipalities that form the Regional Municipality of York, encompassing a total area of 339 square kilometers. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and picturesque countryside, King is situated within the Greenbelt and the Oak Ridges Moraine, holding significant natural and ecological value. The municipality is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of pollinator and monarch butterfly habitats. This commitment is demonstrated through various initiatives, including the planting of native wildflowers, the distribution of wildflower and milkweed seeds, and the organization of free educational workshops. Additionally, the township has implemented signage to raise awareness, supports citizen science monitoring programs, and offers nature-based education to the community. By participating in the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, the Township of King aligns its efforts with municipal priorities and bolsters its Environmental Stewardship initiatives. These initiatives are focused on educating and engaging residents while enhancing habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators throughout the municipality.
Village of Ridgefield Park
Ridgefield Park, NJ
Adam MacNeill
Summary for 2025
The Village of Ridgefield Park, Bergen County, New Jersey, Settled in 1685, proudly boasts one of the longest continuous Fourth of July parades in the USA. Like this grand country, Ridgefield Park is a rich source of good old American history. Ridgefield Park has a population of approximately 13,300 (5,800 households) and has 1.71 square miles of land. We have a newly constructed nature preserve, two beautiful community gardens and six pollinator gardens. Mayor Anlian committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators during his tenure with his signing of the Mayors' Monarch Pledge and looks forward to engaging residents in building more pollinator habitats throughout the village. Mayor MacNeill, elected in 2024, continues to support the pledge.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM
Tim Keller
Summary for 2025
Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico. Its varied landscape, from the banks of the Rio Grande to Chihuahuan desert mesas and the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, supports diverse wildlife communities. Our city is home to many endemic and migratory species, including a diversity of butterflies and other pollinators. Mayor Keller is committed to advancing Albuquerque as a leader in resilient, equitable and long-term environmental solutions, and he pledges to raise awareness and community support for the conservation of monarchs and other pollinators. A hive mind of leaders from the ABQ BioPark and other community stakeholders will build upon existing education and engagement programs to advocate for pollinator protection.
Borough of New Britain
New Britain Borough, PA
Jim Donovan
Summary for 2025
New Britain Borough is a small borough of 8,000 residents in central Bucks County. We are a PA Bird Town, a Tree City USA, and a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat. As a community, we have demonstrated a long-time commitment to providing habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife through the planting of hundreds of native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials in our public spaces, including the Wilma Quinlan Nature Preserve, which has been recognized at both the local and state level for the habitat restoration work we have done there. Participating in the Mayors Monarch Pledge initiative is a natural extension of the work our community has long been working on.
Village of Tarrytown
Tarrytown, NY
Karen Brown
Summary for 2025
The Village of Tarrytown, a vibrant community located along the banks of the Hudson River in Westchester County , NY has been a strong advocate for pollinator conservation since 2020. The Village has collaborated with volunteers groups to create native gardens in prominent public spaces and parks throughout the Village. This corridor provides valuable habitat for threatened pollinators , showcases sustainable landscaping and brings the beauty of native plants directly to residents . Milkweed is a component of all our public gardens as we seek to help our threatened monarchs. Additionally the Village is undertaking a tree planting program to increase the tree canopy with the addition of native species. Invasive vine removal is an ongoing activity for Village departments and volunteer groups as is a campaign to educate residents about the threat of invasive vines.
Coral Township, McHenry County
Union, IL
Bill Damisch
Summary for 2025
Coral Township serves the rural communities of three towns: Marengo, Union and Huntley Illinois. The Township maintains a pollinator garden on the grounds of Township property. This year we are continuing to widen our garden bed and increase our milkweed varieties along the fence line. We will also continue to assist other stewards develop their gardens and encourage residents in the township to plant pollinators as well.
