Mayor's Monarch Pledge

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The City of Greenville takes great pride in our parks and natural environment. Providing habitat for pollinators including monarch butterflies is important to support the natural ecosystem, public and private gardens, and overall environment. The City of Greenville is committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with the signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge.

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What is a Mayors' Monarch Pledge?


Mayor Knox White joined other heads of local and tribal government in taking action to help save the monarch butterfly. Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, Mayor White committed Greenville to creating habitats for the monarch butterfly and pollinators, and to educate residents about how they can make a difference at home and in their community.

The City's Commitment to Monarch Preservation

2023 - PLEDGE SIGNED ON January 6, 2023

Summary: The 2023 Monarch Pledge aims to protect the monarch butterfly by creating and preserving habitats, educating citizens on monarch conservation, and reducing the use of harmful pesticides. 

The City pledged to the following action items:

  • Issue a Proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat during National Pollinator week from June 19-25, 2023.
  • Host or support tree, plant or seed giveaways for the community to plant native species. 
  • Remove non-native invasive species in the parks, which supports the re-establishment of native habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. 
  • Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.
  • Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.

2022 - Pledge Signed on march 7, 2022

Summary: The City of Greenville committed to maintaining and expanding greenspace, tree canopy and native plants. The priorities of City Council included conservation and sustainability. 

The City successfully completed the following action items: 

  • Engage with developers, planners, landscape architects and other community leaders and organizers engaged in planning processes to identify opportunities to create monarch habitat. 
  • Host or support a native seed or plant sale, giveaway or swap.
  • Remove milkweed from the list of noxious plants in city weed/landscaping ordinances (if applicable). 
  • Increase the percentage of native plants, shrubs and trees that must be used in city landscaping ordinances and encourage use of milkweed, where appropriate. 

The City completed our 2022 pledge and achieved a 'Signatories' ranking from the National Wildlife Federation, which is designated for pledges that take at least 3 actions for the monarch butterfly.

Find our more about The Mayor's Monarch Pledge