The Woodlands Township
The Woodlands, TX
Brad Bailey
Summary for 2025
The Woodlands Township, located 27 miles north of downtown Houston, Texas, is the local government for one of the country’s leading master-planned communities. This 28,000-acre residential and commercial development is home to more than 120,000 residents and more than 2,000 businesses. The Woodlands Township and citizens of The Woodlands have joined communities around the nation to recognize the importance of creating and preserving pollinator habitat. The Board of Directors for The Woodlands Township have committed to help save the monarch butterfly and other pollinators by signing the Mayors Monarch Pledge. To honor the pledge to support monarch butterflies, and all pollinators, The Woodlands Township is working with residents, businesses, churches and schools to raise awareness and create more pollinator habitat across our community.
City of Del Rey Oaks
Del Rey Oaks, CA
Scott Donaldson
Summary for 2025
Del Rey Oaks is a city on the Central Coast of California with a population of roughly 2,000. The city is located on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula and is home to the beautiful Frog Pond Wetland Preserve. Mayor Donaldson of Del Rey Oaks, CA has committed to implementing programs and processes to help save the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with their signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, and looks forward to engaging residents in building and maintaining pollinator habitat throughout the city.
Village of Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake, NY
James Williams
Summary for 2025
The Village of Saranac Lake is located in New York with a population of approximately 5,000 residents. The Village is part of the Adirondack Park, the largest State Park in the United States. The Village has many municipally owned and not-for-profit pocket parks, adding to the unique nature and natural offerings to residents and visitors. Mayor Williams 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 Village.
City of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI
David LaGrand
Summary for 2025
Grand Rapids is a city in west Michigan with a population of nearly 200,000. Grand Rapids resides along the Grand River and is just under 30 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan. Mayor LaGrand is committed to working to protect monarch butterflies and other native pollinators by signing the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge and supporting the ongoing pollinator conservation efforts by groups in the Grand Rapids community. Mayor LaGrand recognizes the important role played by the Upper Midwest in providing crucial summer habitat for monarch butterflies in their annual journey, and through this pledge seeks to highlight the role we can play in protecting this iconic species.
City of Jefferson
Jefferson City, MO
Ron Fitzwater
Summary for 2025
The City of Jefferson, with a population of approximately 42,600, recognizes the critical importance of pollinators, including monarch butterflies, to our ecosystem. These essential species contribute significantly to the health of our environment by supporting biodiversity and aiding in the reproduction of plants through pollination. However, pollinator populations are declining at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, climate change, and other environmental pressures. In response to this pressing issue, the City of Jefferson is determined to take proactive measures to conserve and support pollinator habitats. Our efforts include: Habitat Restoration: The city plans to increase green spaces and native planting zones to create a welcoming environment for pollinators. This includes planting milkweed and nextar-rich flowers to provide essential resources for monarch butterflies throughout their lifecycle. Public Education and Engagement: We aim to involve the community by having informational sessions and signage to raise awareness about the significance of pollinators and how residents can contribute to conservation efforts. Partnerships: The city will collaborate with local organizations, schools, and environmental groups to implement conservation initiatives that ensure a lasting positive impact on pollinator populations. By taking these steps, the City of Jefferson hopes to create a model for sustainable pollinator conservation. We invite our residents to join us in this vital mission to safeguard the future of monarch butterflies and pollinators, ensuring a healthy and vibrant ecosystem for generations to come.
Edmond
Edmond, OK
Darrell Davis
Summary for 2025
Edmond Oklahoma is in the central part of Oklahoma. With a growing population nearing 100,000 environmental and nature preservation are a concern of the citizens. Our parks themselves provide large-scale support that contributes to monarch conservation. Specifically, on the west side of Edmond, our maintenance team provides all of the necessary elements to not only support monarch butterflies, but to help a plethora of other pollinators and wildlife. This provides the added benefit of providing an aesthetically pleasing space for our community to enjoy with opportunities to observe many creatures, including monarchs. We utilize both native and non-native milkweeds around The Multi-Activity Center, and YMCA, .
City of Polk City
Polk City, IA
Steve Karsjen
Summary for 2025
Polk City is a growing community located in central Iowa, northwest of the Des Moines metro, with a population of 6500. Polk City is uniquely located between Big Creek State Park and Saylorville Lake, two thriving outdoor destinations with a variety of flora and fauna. Priding itself on outdoor recreation and natural areas, Polk City is excited to take the Mayors' Monarch Pledge. Mayor Karsjen of Polk City, IA is ready to help the monarch butterfly and other pollinators by public engagement, awareness, and providing more pollinator habitat.
City of Decorah
Decorah, IA
Lorraine Borowski
Summary for 2025
The city Decorah, population 7,500, is located along the Upper Iowa River in the Driftless Region of Northeast Iowa. The area is known for its beautiful scenic bluffs, numerous springs and waterfalls, and many acres of public parks and wildlife areas for trout fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and simple enjoyment of the natural environment. In 2001, the City, in partnership with numerous organizations and individuals, established a prairie reconstruction to facilitate stream bank protection, and water quality improvement along the Upper Iowa River. A 11.4 acre filter strip was planted with native grasses and forbs, and the following year, a ½ acre butterfly garden and additional 24.1 acre prairie was constructed to protect the floodplain. The butterfly garden and prairie serve as an oasis in town- a place to hike, cross-country ski, a location for students (elementary through college) to study, and an inspiration to local citizens to undertake similar plantings on their own property. Art in the Park, after school programs, Monarch tagging events, seed collection, Luther College Cross Country training, to name a few, are activities that the community enjoys at little to no cost!
City of South Bend
South Bend, IN
James Mueller
Summary for 2025
South Bend is a city of 100,00 people found in north-west Indiana. We have 56 parks that are green and well-maintained. Many contain excellent habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. For that reason, Mayor James Mueller is happy to take the Mayor's Monarch Pledge and help the prosperity of monarch butterflies in the city of South Bend. Thank you!
City of Vaughan
City of Vaughan, ON
Steven Del Duca
Summary for 2025
The City of Vaughan is a city in Ontario, Canada with a population of over 350,000. The City has supported the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge since early 2018 and is committed to protecting pollinators and educating its citizens on the importance of pollinators and their habitats. Mayor Steven Del Duca is committed to continuing to fulfill actions to benefit pollinators as listed in the Monarch Pledge.
