Monarch Butterfly Conservation

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Tempe encourages monarch butterflies and native bee populations by planting, education, and more.

Tempe to join Bee City USA - coming soon!

Tempe is a Mayor's Monarch City

The City of Tempe and Mayor Corey Woods have joined the Mayor's Monarch Pledge program from the National Wildlife Federation. Tempe continues to renew its commitment to conserve monarch and pollinator populations throughout the city in 2026. Read below for the actions that Tempe has committed to.

Background:

Tempe, Arizona, is about 40 square miles nestled in the greater Phoenix metro area, all within the Sonoran Desert. Tempe is home to about 185,000+ residents, and with those residents, the city has embarked on a multifaceted approach to nurture and encourage monarch butterfly and other pollinator populations. Tempe collaborates with local environmental organizations like the AZ Wildlife Federation, ASU Researchers, and the community through a variety of interventions, including: educational programs, plantings in public spaces and gardens, and future inclusion in city plans. With unwavering dedication, Tempe serves as a shining example of how urban areas can actively contribute to the conservation of monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

Monarch and Pollinator Resources & FAQ's

Starting Fall 2025: Pollinator and nectar seeds at the Tempe seed library.

Planting for Monarchs Logo

Want some Monarch-specific information? National Wildlife Federation has a guide here.
Which Milkweed? Species Matters! National Wildlife Federation has info here. (PDF)
- Aren't Milkweed plants toxic? Only in large doses, and it doesn't taste good to human or pets! Read more from the US Fish and Wildlife Service NWS webpage here.
The City of Phoenix is also a Mayor's Monarch City.
The Desert Botanical Garden is a great resource for native milkweed info, plus other pollen and nectar plants.
Arizona Monarch Collaborative is a local group of organizations and individuals who promote monarch butterfly conservation, and advocate for the protection of important pollinator habitat.

Is there an action you'd like to help the city to undertake? Contact us!

Action Items Committed for 2026

Communications and Convening

Issue a proclamation to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat. This proclamation must incorporate a focus on monarch conservation.
- Check back for updates on a proclamation!
Launch or maintain a public communication effort to encourage residents to plant monarch gardens at their homes or in their neighborhoods.
- As we expand our media presence and regional work, Tempe is broadening the scope of its communication campaign - including partnering with Phoenix on it's Planting for Monarchs Month communications and working with the Arizona Monarch Collaborative on their outreach too!
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 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 Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Community Associations or neighborhood organizations to identify opportunities to plant monarch gardens and revise maintenance and mowing programs.
Engage with developers, planners, landscape architects, and other community leaders and organizers engaged in planning processes to identify opportunities to create monarch habitat.

Program and Demonstration Gardens

Host or support a native seed or plant sale, giveaway or swap.
Plant milkweed and pollinator-friendly native nectar plants along roadsides, medians, or public rights-of-way.
Earn or maintain recognition for being a wildlife-friendly city by participating in other wildlife and habitat conservation efforts (i.e., National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat program).
Initiate or support community science (or citizen science) efforts that help monitor monarch migration and health.

Systems Change

Launch, expand, or continue an effort to change municipal planting ordinances and practices to include more native milkweed and native nectar producing plants at city properties.

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