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.
Moon Township
Moon, PA
David Bachman
Summary for 2025
Moon Township is a suburb of Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania. The Township is home to a population of approximately 27,000 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 began converting open areas of both Robin Hill Park and Moon Park into no-mow wildflower meadows. These meadows have been planted with a special blend of native wildflowers and grasses specifically for pollinators. The Township continues to work to expand our native and pollinator plantings in our public spaces annually reviewing addition opportunities for plantings.
City of Watertown
Watertown, MA
George Proakis
Summary for 2025
Watertown is a city in the greater Boston area with a population of just over 35,000. Our community, though highly urbanized, boasts important natural resources, from protected open space along the Charles River to our growing number of pocket parks and community gardens. City Manager George Proakis has committed to protecting and promoting pollinator species such as the monarch butterfly by signing the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and looks forward to engaging residents, businesses, and neighborhood groups on the importance of providing pollinator habitat throughout the city.
City of Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill, ON
David West
Summary for 2025
The City of Richmond Hill is a city located in southern Ontario. With a population of approximately 200,000, Richmond Hill is a lower tier municipality in York Region with portions of the City falling within Ontario's Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine. The City has committed to foster natural and built communities that support pollinators through the Environment Strategy and partnerships with non-profit organizations and designations.
Town of Carrboro
Carrboro, NC
Barbara Foushee
Summary for 2025
Carrboro is a progressive, vibrant community located in the Piedmont region of central North Carolina. Over 20,000 diverse residents call Carrboro home. In 2014, the Town of Carrboro stated its intention to promote healthy, sustainable habitats for pollinators by becoming the third municipality in the country to join the Bee City USA initiative. The Town recognizes the importance of avoiding and minimizing impacts of municipal operations on pollinators and other species, has been working to support and protect environmental features for over 40 years, and has been pursuing a Least Toxic Integrated Pest Management Policy since the 1990s. The Town has also committed to protecting and enhancing native ecosystems through its 2017 Community Climate Action Plan and 2022 Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Barbara Foushee has signed the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge to reaffirm the Town’s commitment to the environment and engage residents in creating and enhancing pollinator habitat throughout the community.
City of St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
Cara Spencer
Summary for 2025
The City of St. Louis is located on the eastern border of Missouri along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. This location is a natural byway for Monarch butterfly migration. In 2014, St. Louis began its Milkweeds for Monarchs initiative and has established well over 400 green spaces with milkweed and nectar sources to support the Monarch and other pollinators. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones continues the City’s important efforts to support pollinators and connect residents with nature. Monarch and pollinator gardens will continue to be established and maintained along greenways, in city parks, neighborhoods, schools and at homes across St. Louis.
Cheltenham Township
Elkins Park, PA
Alyson Elliott
Summary for 2025
Cheltenham Township is a first-ring suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a population of close to 38,000. Its 9-square-mile community boasts 23 parks and open spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. Cheltenham Township adopted a Sustainability Plan in 2013, one of the goals of which is Ecological Stewardship. Cheltenham is taking the Monarch Pledge for the fourth year in 2025 to include cultivating the existing and adding more monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration gardens, continuing public communication efforts to encourage citizens to plant monarch gardens at their homes or neighborhoods, hosting a Monarch Butterfly Festival, and reviewing Township ordinances, regulations and practices. The Township's efforts are collaborative by the partnership of community organizations and resident volunteers, including through the Cheltenham Township Library System, the Township's Environmental Advisory Council, and parks Friends.
