Cities throughout the U.S. can make important contributions to monarch recovery. Did you know that 1.8 billion additional milkweed stems are needed throughout the eastern U.S. alone to sustain the eastern monarch population AND that recent research has found that up to 30% of these essential new milkweed stems can be added in cities? We’ve compiled several resources from our partner organizations for urban planners, organizers, and dwellers residents alike who want to get involved in creating monarch habitat in urban spaces and learn more about the valuable role cities play in pollinator conservation.
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Urban Monarch Research Toolkit
Scientists at The Field Museum have worked with cities big and small to develop research-based recommendations for creating monarch habitats. Planners, organizers, and city officials can use tools found on this site and resources for understanding social context, conducting field sampling, and calculating existing and potential milkweed stems for their city.
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Urban Community Science
Become a community scientist and help learn more about how milkweed gardens in urban places benefit monarch butterflies! There are several monarch monitoring projects across North America that are great for all ages and commitment levels, including some monitoring habitat in urban green spaces. Data collected by community scientists helps researchers understand how successful milkweed plants in cities and towns are at providing habitat for monarch caterpillars.
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Urban Monarch Network
Join a forum that supports learning and sharing about the most effective ways to create habitat for monarchs in cities. The Urban Monarch Network aims to connect people and the landscapes they manage to increase the collective impact many small urban spaces have on supporting monarchs and other pollinators. The Urban Monarch Network aims to connect people and the landscapes they manage to increase the collective impact of many small urban spaces.
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Monarch Festivals Toolkit
Monarch festivals are a wonderful opportunity to unite people in your community and motivate people to action to support monarchs and other pollinators. This monarch festival planning guide created by Monarch Joint Venture staff and partners is a great resource if your organization or community is interested in holding your own monarch event or festival.
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Mayors Monarch Pledge
You can get local elected officials involved in monarch conservation through the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, an initiative of the National Wildlife Federation. By signing the pledge, U.S. cities, municipalities, and other communities commit to taking at least three actions within the year that support monarchs and pollinators. This is a great opportunity for communities of all sizes!
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Bee City USA
Bee City USA is a certification program run by the Xerces Society that recognizes, supports, and encourages pollinator conservation in cities, towns, and counties. Cities, large and small, can play a huge role in increasing native plants and providing nesting habitat for bees and other pollinators (including monarchs!). Current affiliates include urban areas such as Atlanta, GA, Madison, WI, and San Francisco, CA.
