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.
City of Cynthiana
Cynthiana, KY
Isaac Dailey
Summary for 2025
Cynthiana is a charming small town in Harrison County, nestled in the heart of the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. With its scenic countryside, historic landmarks, and close-knit community, Cynthiana has long been a place where nature and local culture intersect. The town sits along the banks of the South Fork of the Licking River, surrounded by a mix of farmland, woodlands, and wetlands that contribute to the area's diverse ecosystems. In recent years, the community has become increasingly focused on environmental stewardship, particularly concerning monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation. As monarchs face habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change challenges, Cynthiana and its residents have recognized the importance of creating and maintaining environments supporting these vital species. Monarch and pollinator conservation efforts in Cynthiana have included several initiatives aimed at restoring native habitats, educating the public, and supporting local ecosystems. Local groups, such as the Cynthiana Homemakers and community volunteers, have worked together to plant native wildflowers, milkweed species (critical for monarch larvae), and pollinator-friendly plants in urban spaces, parks, and roadsides. These efforts also extend to educating local farmers and landowners about sustainable land practices that provide habitats for pollinators while balancing agricultural needs. Cynthiana’s commitment to supporting monarchs, bees, and other pollinators reflects a growing awareness of their role in maintaining biodiversity and promoting healthy ecosystems. Annual events, such as the Cynthiana Honey Festival, bring attention to the importance of these species in our environment. This collective focus on monarchs and pollinators is part of a broader effort to conserve these important insects and foster an appreciation for the interconnectedness of all life in the region. Cynthiana is a shining example of how small communities can make a big impact in the conservation movement, particularly when it comes to preserving the essential services that pollinators provide.
BIDDEFORD
BIDDEFORD, ME
Martin Grohman
Summary for 2025
Since 2021, Biddeford Community Gardens in partnership with the City of Biddeford, has committed to helping save the Monarch Butterfly by preserving existing native habitat and creating new habitat on publicly owned lands. Our pledge also includes educating the public about the importance of the Monarch and how together, we can implement positive, healthy changes in the way we do things. such as eliminating the use of pesticides/herbicides, that will greatly improve the Monarch's chances for long-term survival.
Village of Port Barrington
Port Barrington, IL
Keith Vogeler
Summary for 2025
The Village of Port Barrington is a small town nestled in the Fox River Valley (pop. 1584, 2020 Census) approximately 45 miles from Chicago. Established in 1927 and Incorporated in 1969, this recreational community has walking, biking and snowmobile trails, boating, fishing, and several parks and marinas within its boundaries. The Fox River Preserve of the Lake County Forest Preserve District is also within the boundaries of Port Barrington, offering its own marina, pavilions, and connecting trails for more outdoor enjoyment. The Village maintains its status as Tree City U.S.A. and Bee City U.S.A. and has incorporated many pollinator-friendly gardens into its stormwater management program. Two new bioswales that were excavated last year have been planting with native, pollinator-friendly species this spring of 2025. Port Barrington works to spread the word about good stewardship of habitat for monarch butterflies through many activities incorporated all year long. By signing the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, the Village of Port Barrington furthers its commitment to monarch and pollinator conservation.
City of Somerville
Somerville, MA
Katjana Ballantyne
Summary for 2025
Somerville is a dense urban area near Boston with approximately 81,000 residents in 4 square miles. The City has many urban parks, but few large open spaces. The City's administration, City staff, and many residents care deeply about the role a city can play to support the monarch butterfly conservation--even in backyards and small gardens. In 2024, the City published its "Somerville Pollinator Action Plan." The document outlines specific ways that residents and City staff can create habitat and support local pollinator populations.
