Community Profile

Reston, VA

Larry Butler

Chief Executive Officer

Pledge Summary

Reston is a planned community located in Fairfax County, Virginia with approximately 65,000 residents.. The community is located 20 miles west of Washington, DC and is renowned for its preservation of natural areas and commitment to environmental stewardship. Reston has been certified by NWF as a Community Wildlife Habitat. It is also a Tree City USA as designated by the National Arbor Day Foundation and a designated Biophilic City. Reston recognizes the plight of the Monarch species and endeavors to conserve habitat on Reston Association property, which is accessible to residents and visitors. Reston Association staff educate homeowners about monarch conservation efforts and provide resources for people to create butterfly habitats on their own properties and in their neighborhoods.

Community Spotlight

Reston Annual Butterfly Count

Reston has conducted an Annual Butterfly Count since 1994. One place to look for Monarchs is the Golf Course Island Community Gardens where there is a Monarch Waystation, filled with milkweed plants. Each year, volunteers assist staff with the count.

Monarch Waystations

Reston has 18 certified Monarch Waystations by Monarch Watch. These sites provide milkweeds, nectar sources and shelter needed to sustain Monarch butterflies as they migrate through North America.

Learn More

Action Items Committed for 2022

Communications and Convening ▸

Issue a Proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat.
Engage with Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
Engage with gardening leaders and partners (e.g., Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Nature Centers, Native Plant Society Chapters , other long-standing and influential community leaders) to support monarch butterfly conservation.
Engage with city parks and recreation, public works, sustainability, and other relevant staff to identify opportunities to revise and maintain mowing programs and milkweed / native nectar plant planting programs.
Launch or maintain a public communication effort to encourage residents to plant monarch gardens at their homes or in their neighborhoods. (If you have community members who speak a language other than English, we encourage you to also communicate in that language; Champion Pledges must communicate in that language.)

Program and Demonstration Gardens ▸

Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.
Launch, expand, or continue an invasive species removal program that will support the re-establishment of native habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Add or maintain native milkweed and nectar producing plants in community gardens.
Initiate or support community science (or citizen science) efforts that help monitor monarch migration and health.
Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.
Host or support a native seed or plant sale, giveaway or swap.

Systems Change ▸

Integrate monarch butterfly conservation into the city’s Park Master Plan, Sustainability Plan, Climate Resiliency Plan or other city plans.
Adopt ordinances that support reducing light pollution.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Chief Executive Officer Larry Butler	2022	12/16/2021	Leadership Circle	View Pledge
Chief Executive Officer Larry Butler	2021	3/26/2021	Leadership Circle	View Pledge

The National Wildlife Federation

Pledge Status

Pledge Date

Program Year

Achievement

Links and Uploads

Action Item Report