RESTON, Va. — Hundreds of mayors and city leaders nationwide have committed to protecting migratory monarch butterflies in collaboration with the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. The 300 participating communities are taking a record number of actions to advance monarch conservation by planting or maintaining pollinator gardens at prominent locations, supporting native plant sales and giveaways, and partnering with local gardening organizations and experts to advance monarch conservation and community engagement.

“We can’t save monarch butterflies alone and the commitment these mayors demonstrate is exactly the unified approach that leads to conservation successes,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior director of community wildlife at National Wildlife Federation. “Whether a community has taken the pledge every year or is a new signatory starting out on this journey, each action contributes to safeguarding one of our most iconic butterfly species for generations to come.”

“It isn’t enough to say that monarch butterflies play an important role as pollinators. The migratory monarch is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration. As they fly across the continent these pollinators provide an invaluable service that ensures ecosystems thrive,” said Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, monarch scientist and program director for climate resilient habitats at National Wildlife Federation. “Monarch butterflies desperately need our help as we see a decline in native host and nectar plants, worsening impacts of climate change and fragmented habitat. These mayors and community leaders are locally contributing to reconnect vital habitat one city at a time and makes me hopeful for the future of the species.”

The largest communities that made the pledged in 2024 include. 

• Los Angeles, Calif. 
• San Antonio, Texas
• San Diego, Calif. 
• Phoenix, Ariz. 
• Charlotte, N.C. 

The full list of 2024 Mayors’ Monarch Pledge signatories can be found here.

To date, the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge has facilitated the creation or enhancement 11,050 acres of habitat for monarch butterflies and engaged millions of people. Each year, mayors across the country renew or take the pledge to protect the at-risk species through habitat creation, public education and awareness campaigns. The program continues to grow its impact with a 62 percent increase in created monarch habitat in urban areas since 2020.

Habitat loss and fragmentation are amongst the biggest threats to monarch butterflies experiencing rapid population decline. Climatic change is exacerbating these threats by impacting monarch breeding grounds, migratory stopover habitats, and overwintering areas. Through the creation and expansion of monarch habitat by planting native milkweed and other native nectar plants, we can help this iconic species reach its once prolific numbers.

About Mayors’ Monarch Pledge

Launched in 2015, the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge program engages cities and communities in monarch and pollinator conservation to create vital habitat and to educate residents about how they can make a difference at home and in their community. The pledge period reopens on December 1 for interested cities and communities who’d like to get involved.