Township of Allamuchy
Allamuchy, NJ
Rosemary Tuohy
Summary for 2025
Allamuchy Township is actively promoting monarch and pollinator conservation through community engagement and public initiatives. As part of this commitment, the township is hosting a mural contest to transform the Green Acres concession stand into a vibrant piece of public art that highlights monarch and pollinator conservation, while also celebrating cultural awareness. On March 26, 2025, the Township Committee issued an official proclamation in support of monarch butterfly preservation, March 27th, 2025 has now been deemed Monarch Butterfly Awareness Day for Allamuchy Township. Efforts are ongoing in the Rutherfurd Community Gardens, where milkweed and nectar-producing plants are being maintained to support pollinator habitats. Residents are also encouraged to plant these beneficial species on their own properties to further expand local pollinator-friendly spaces.
Village of Richmond
Richmond, IL
Toni Wardanian
Summary for 2025
Richmond is a village in McHenry County (Northeastern Illinois) with a population of 2,089. The high quality North Branch of Nippersink Creek and the recreational Prairie Trail run through the village which also has a number of public parks. Richmond is also the gateway community to the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. Village President Toni Wardanian has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators by signing the Mayors' Monarch Pledge and looks forward to engaging residents in building more pollinator habitat throughout the village.
Crystal Lake Park District
Crystal Lake, IL
Jason Herbster
Summary for 2025
Charged with providing park and recreation services for approximately 55,000 residents, the Crystal Lake Park District system includes 42 parks spanning over 1,400 acres and program offerings of over 1,000 annually. Facilities include the Nature Center, Main and West Beaches, Colonel Palmer House, Lippold Family Golf Center, Boncosky Softball Complex at Lippold Park, Grand Oaks Recreation/Active Adult Center, the Racket Club, Barlina House Preschool, and numerous picnic shelters. In addition to parks, facilities and programs, the district maintains miles of bike and hiking trails enjoyed by many throughout the year.
City of Goleta
Goleta, CA
Paula Perotte
Summary for 2025
The City of Goleta is a beautiful coastal community of about 30,000 people located in Santa Barbara County, California. The monarch butterfly played an important role in the City's early history as a landmark conservation deal saved the Goleta Butterfly Grove at Ellwood Mesa from development in 2004. Today, Goleta is undertaking the largest monarch butterfly habitat stewardship project in the state, featuring hundreds of community volunteers installing thousands of nectaring native plants and new trees. Our City is 100% committed to saving our iconic monarch butterfly through habitat improvements, educational programs, and public policy.
City of Boerne
Boerne, TX
Frank Ritchie
Summary for 2025
Boerne, the county seat of Kendall County, is among the fastest growing and most desirable places to live in the nation, known for its historical charm, scenic Hill Country landscape, vibrant parks, and award-winning community services. With a population of approximately 22,000, Boerne is located 30 miles northwest of San Antonio, the seventh-largest city in the U.S. Positioned on the southern edge of the Edwards Plateau, the area is rich in both natural and cultural resources. The City of Boerne and Kendall County actively collaborate with various conservation-focused organizations, land trusts, and volunteer groups to educate, promote, and implement programs that support native species diversity. These partnerships have led to the protection and enhancement of habitats for native plants and pollinators, contributing to the ecological richness of this biologically diverse region.
City of Allentown
Allentown, PA
Matt Tuerk
Summary for 2025
TBD
City of Riverside
Riverside, CA
Patricia Lock Dawson
Summary for 2025
The City of Riverside has a proud history of promoting healthy living spaces including native plants and fostering areas of growth for natural habitats for insects and wildlife. With a population of roughly 326,000, the city is home to the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, the beautiful Santa Ana River and UCR Botanical Gardens. Mayor Lock Dawson of has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with their signing of the Mayors' Monarch Pledge and looks forward to engaging residents in building more pollinator habitat throughout the city. This year, we plan on issuing a proclamation to raise awareness, hosting or supporting a native seed sale or swap, displaying educational signage, and updating city landscaping ordinances where applicable to increase the usage of native plants.
Town of Garner
Garner, NC
Buddy Gupton
Summary for 2025
Garner is a town of approximately 44,600 people located in Wake County and just seven miles from our Capitol City of Raleigh, NC We have an active and expanding Parks System which includes a passive park at Lake Benson and a nature park in an adjacent location. Our Town has recently acquired additional land in excess of 100 acres, part of which will soon be open as Yeargan Park. The additional land will allow us to increase recreational space and also expand our trails and greenways. Garner is committed to improving habitats within our parks and to adding native plants for pollinators.
Town of Hempstead
Hempstead, NY
Don Clavin
Summary for 2025
The Town of Hempstead is proud to be America's largest township, with a population of approximately 780,000 people, and one of the nation’s oldest, dating back to 1644. Bordering New York City to the east, and the Hempstead Bay estuary and Atlantic Ocean on the southern border, the Town encompasses more than 142 square miles, 20,000 acres of wetlands, and 180 miles of coastal waterways. During the Town's first three years of taking the Pledge, since 2022, Leadership Circle status has been achieved. For the fourth year participating in the pledge, the Town is committing to various actions that build upon programs established in 2022, 2023, and 2024, including public outreach and education about native pollinator plants that support monarch populations, a citizen science project where the Town will be tagging monarch butterflies in partnership with Camp ANCHOR in Lido Beach, and maintaining several demonstration gardens at Town facilities. The Town owns and operates a greenhouse focused on native pollinator plant species that will be able to support many of these action items.
City of Temiskaming Shores
Temiskaming Shores, ON
Jeff Laferriere
Summary for 2025
Temiskaming Shores, a city of approximately 10,000 people in Northern Ontario, is a vital service hub for the surrounding forestry and agriculture sectors. Nestled along the shores of Lake Timiskaming, the city recognizes the importance of protecting pollinators, including the monarch butterfly, to support local ecosystems and biodiversity. Mayor Laferriere has committed to monarch and pollinator conservation by signing the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, demonstrating the city’s dedication to creating and preserving pollinator-friendly habitats. As part of this commitment, Temiskaming Shores will issue a proclamation to raise awareness about monarch conservation, encourage residents to plant monarch-friendly gardens, and establish or maintain pollinator-friendly demonstration gardens, including at City Hall. The city will also enhance public green spaces by planting native milkweed and nectar-producing plants to support monarchs and other pollinators. Through these initiatives, Temiskaming Shores is taking meaningful action to protect pollinators and inspire the community to participate in conservation efforts.
