Village of Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect, IL
Paul Wm. Hoefert
Summary for 2025
The Village of Mount Prospect, located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL, is home to 56,000 residents. It manages over 25,000 parkway trees and approximately 55 acres of greenspace, including several public native and butterfly gardens. By signing the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, the Village reaffirms its commitment to fostering native plants and pollinator-friendly gardens throughout the community. Mount Prospect also aims to inspire and encourage residents to join in this effort.
City of Edina
Edina, MN
James Hovland
Summary for 2025
The City of Edina, a first ring suburban city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, serves a population of over 54,000 residents. The City has a balance of residential, commercial and recreational development. Mayor Hovland of Edina, MN supports saving monarch and other pollinators through the signing of the Mayors' Monarch Pledge. This pledge aligns with the City's Climate Action Plan and sustainability goals. The Mayor and City Staff are committed to increasing habitat creation throughout the City, both on City property and engaging with residents and private land owner.
City of Tempe
Tempe, AZ
Corey Woods
Summary for 2025
Tempe, Arizona acknowledges the important role pollinators play in maintaining biodiversity, supporting local food systems, and guarding ecological resilience. The city is an urban hub in the Phoenix Metro Area, and is committed to integrating pollinator-friendly landscapes across public spaces, parks, and urban corridors. Through future-thinking policies and community-driven initiatives, Tempe is installing Sonoran-native vegetation that support butterflies, bees, and other pollinator species. Efforts include expanding rainwater harvesting coupled with desert plantings, collaboration with other city departments, and encouraging residents and businesses to plant milkweed and nectar-rich flora. By embracing conservation as a key element of its sustainability vision, Tempe is not only safeguarding monarchs and pollinators but also fostering a healthier, more vibrant urban environment for generations to come.
Town of Black Mountain
Black Mountain , NC
C. Michael Sobol
Summary for 2025
The Town of Black Mountain, located in Western North Carolina, is along a major fall migration route for the monarch butterfly on their journey south across the Blue Ridge Mountains towards Mexico. We have thousands of monarch butterflies pass through our town and public parks during last week of September and/or 1st week of October annually. In 2015, the Town created our 1st Monarch Waystation in a 10 acre field in our Veterans Park that is right along the migration route to make an inviting place for monarchs to stop to fuel up with nectar from native aster and goldenrod on their journey south. This field has over 500 common milkweed plants where monarchs also lay eggs April through June each spring, and is filled with purple clover, which is one of their favorite sources of nectar locally. Since 2015, the Town has expanded to four (4) Monarch Waystations across the Town located at Veterans Park (est. 2015), Lake Tomahawk (est. 2019), Black Mountain-Tyson Library (est. 2021), and Black Mountain Primary School (est. 2022). Additionally, the Town of Black Mountain provides and maintains pollinator-friendly habitat gardens throughout town including Town Square (our public green space the middle of downtown), Veterans Park, Black Mountain Primary School, Lake Tomahawk and Town Hall. The Town works closely in partnership with the Black Mountain Beautification Committee (BMBC) who assists in maintaining these public gardens. Milkweed plants can also be found within these gardens. The BMBC also maintains gardens in collaboration with several businesses that feature pollinator-friendly plants. Additionally, residents are encouraged to plant pollinator-friendly gardens at their homes, and we have a number of residents who have Certified Pollinator Habitats on their property, thus furthering essential habitats for the monarch butterfly, and other pollinators. Beginning in May 2025, the Black Mountain Town Council adopted a resolution supporting and encouraging residents to participate in the "No Mow May" initiative which encourages letting yards grow during the month of May to allow wildflowers, grasses and other flowering plants to grow freely and providing a valuable habitat and food for pollinators during the spring/early summer. Finally, the Mayor has issued a Monarch Pledge for Black Mountain in the form of a proclamation and encourages our residents to support the monarch by planting monarch-friendly habitats and milkweed plants. The Town is in full support of these efforts and the monarch protection.
City of Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Kevin McCarty
Summary for 2025
Sacramento, the Golden State capital city at the confluence of two rivers in the Great Valley of California on Nisenan land is home to roughly 520,000 human residents and hundreds of native species that make California a biodiversity hotspot. Among these native species is the beloved and threatened western monarch butterfly. Mayor Kevin McCarty has signed the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, confirming Sacramento's commitment to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators. Together with our residents, we will create more native pollinator habitat across our city.
City of Warrensburg
Warrensburg , MO
Bruce Uhler
Summary for 2025
As Mayor of the City of Warrensburg, I recognize the vital role that monarch butterflies and other pollinators play in the health of our environment, economy, and quality of life. Monarch populations have declined significantly due to habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, and the spread of invasive species. Cities have a unique opportunity to make a difference, and Warrensburg is committed to being part of the solution. Therefore, I, as Mayor of Warrensburg, pledge to take action to help save the monarch butterfly and support pollinators throughout our community. We pledge to: Eradicate invasive plant species, particularly at Lions Lake, working with our Parks and Recreation department, to ensure native plants can thrive and provide habitat for monarchs and other pollinators. An event was held on April 25, 2025, doing such actions. Educate and Engage the Community, to plant pollinator-friendly gardens and avoid harmful pesticides: Launch public education campaigns about the importance of pollinators and the threats they face, via the Citizens for Environmental Action organization, through their “Air B & Bees for Pollinators” program. This program was designed to create pollinator-friendly gardens in an urban setting by using native plants in the landscape to attract pollinators. Even a small garden can make a big difference! Pollinators have evolved with native plants, and most pollinators feed on specific plant species. Lead by Example: Incorporate pollinator conservation into city planning and public works projects. Host annual community volunteer events to remove invasive species at Lions Lake, other city parks and plant native pollinator habitat in its place. By signing the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, the City of Warrensburg proudly joins cities across the country in committing to protect monarchs and other pollinators for generations to come. Together with focused efforts like the restoration of native habitat we will create a thriving ecosystem that benefits both wildlife and the people of Warrensburg.
Siouxland
Sioux City, IA
Bob Scott
Summary for 2025
Sioux City is a city in western Iowa with a population of 85,000. The city is situated along the Loess Hills and is a host to many parks and nature preserves. The city has established itself as the first Bird Friendly City in western Iowa and prioritizes native plantings, including Milkweed to help establish and contribute to the growth of the butterfly population. By signing the Monarch Pledge we hope to show residents that our commitment to maintaining our green spaces and contributing to the overall health of our planet is a priority.
City of San Marcos
San Marcos, TX
Jane Hughson
Summary for 2025
San Marcos is a city in central Texas with a population of roughly 90,988. Located midway between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos is a quickly growing community that is situated along a major migration route for many species including monarch butterflies. Our city has a direct impact on monarch populations as they move across this region each year. Mayor Hughson of San Marcos, TX has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with their signing of the Mayors' Monarch Pledge and looks forward to contributing to the enhancement and conservation of pollinator habitat throughout the city.
Town of Clinton
Clinton, NJ
Janice Kovach
Summary for 2025
The Town of Clinton, located in scenic Hunterdon County, New Jersey, is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 2,800. Known for its historic Red Mill, charming downtown, and natural beauty along the South Branch of the Raritan River, Clinton is committed to environmental stewardship. Mayor Janice Kovach has pledged to protect the monarch butterfly and other pollinators by signing the Mayors' Monarch Pledge. The Town has already taken important steps to protect fireflies and night pollinators through a habitat and lighting initiative developed in partnership with Sustainable Jersey. Clinton looks forward to continuing these efforts by engaging residents in creating, restoring, and enhancing pollinator habitat throughout the community.
City of Carson City
Carson City, NV
Lori Bagwell
Summary for 2025
Carson City, Nevada is the Capital City of Nevada and has a population of approximately 60,000. The City is located on the eastern edge of the Carson Range, a branch of the Sierra Nevada and is located just east of Lake Tahoe. Carson City is proud to be recognized as a Bee City USA, becoming the 76th in the Nation and 1st in the state in 2018. Through this designation from the Xerces Society, Carson City has pledged to prioritize pollinator conservation initiatives throughout the City, including promoting pollinator habitat creation and public education. Additionally, Carson City is unique by having an Open Space Division which manages over 7,000 acres of undeveloped natural areas in Carson City, including 11 miles of protected Carson River corridor that host native showy and narrow leaf milkweed populations. Mayor Bagwell of Carson City, Nevada has committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with their signing of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge and looks forward to engaging the public and developers in building more pollinator habitat throughout the city.
