Community Profile

City of Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

Christopher Taylor

Mayor

Pledge Summary

Ann Arbor is a city located along the picturesque Huron River in southeast Michigan. With a population of about 120,000, it is home to over 160 parks, totaling about 2,200 acres. Over half of those acres are comprised of natural areas which are managed and maintained by the Natural Area Preservation division of the Parks and Recreation Services Unit. The University of Michigan and Washtenaw County also own and maintain significant natural acreage within the city. Mayor Christopher Taylor has signed the Mayors' Monarch Pledge in recognition of the importance of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators to the health of our ecosystems and our citizens. We are committed to protecting and restoring our precious pollinator habitat.

Community Spotlight

Protecting and Restoring Ann Arbor's Natural Areas

The Natural Area Preservation (NAP) program protects and restores Ann Arbor's natural areas by carrying out ecological restoration projects throughout Ann Arbor's parks.

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Adopt-A-Park

The Adopt-A-Park program promotes long-term partnerships between residents and city government to maintain and beautify Ann Arbor's parks. Volunteers plant and care for native garden beds, among other maintenance projects.

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Action Items Committed for 2023

Communications and Convening ▸

Engage with developers, planners, landscape architects, and other community leaders and organizers engaged in planning processes to identify opportunities to create monarch habitat.
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.
Engage with community garden groups and urge them to plant native milkweeds and nectar-producing plants.

Program and Demonstration Gardens ▸

Host or support a monarch butterfly festival that is accessible to all residents in the community and promotes monarch and pollinator conservation, as well as cultural awareness and recognition.
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.
Facilitate or support a milkweed seed collection and propagation effort.
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.

Past Pledge Archive

Mayor Name	Program Year	Pledge Date	Achievement
Mayor Christopher Taylor	2023	1/12/2023		View Pledge
Mayor Christopher Taylor	2022	1/25/2022	Leadership Circle	View Pledge
Mayor Christopher Taylor	2021	1/5/2021	Leadership Circle	View Pledge

The National Wildlife Federation

Pledge Status

Pledge Date

Program Year

Links and Uploads

Action Item Report