Eastern and western monarch populations are at historic lows, with the eastern population declining by 90 percent and the western population by more than 99 percent. Contributing to that decline are habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation, pesticides and climate change.

One answer to the problem: That’s creating more milkweed habitats – and a lot of it. And all over the United States, counties, cities and states are turning what used to be mowed grass into butterfly havens.

  • One example is our own Highland Township. Their Milkweed Mile Project turned the M‑59 median into a thriving habitat for Monarchs. The effort began with an eight-year-old whose passion for the project led Highland to become the first city in the state to join Monarch City USA, a national nonprofit dedicated to creating Monarch‑friendly environments in urban landscapes.
  • The Michigan Department of Transportation has a roadside pollinator program, which includes areas like a 14-acre tallgrass prairie near a rest stop

The good news: These (and other) efforts are working. Data from 2025 shows a slight increase from 2024 in the eastern monarch population. That means the population is gradually rebounding. 

Why it matters: Milkweed is the only host plant for Monarch caterpillars, so it’s the one plant that offers food, shelter and a breeding habitat. Essentially, it’s necessary for their survival. No other plant besides milkweed can do that for them.

  • Adult butterflies drink the nectar from many plants, and they provide energy as they breed, for their migratory journey and to build reserves for the long winter. That’s why you also want to include a variety of native butterfly-friendly plants in your garden.

What you can do: Send an email to your township, city or county to suggest they set aside certain areas as no-mow zones for our pollinators. Here’s a template to get you started.

Subject Line: Turning our roadsides into pollinator habitats

Dear [Name of Local Official],

Our [insert town/city/township name] roadways represent an incredible, untapped opportunity to restore vital pollinator habitats. While mowing and chemical spraying are used to maintain these areas, transitioning even a portion of our roadsides to native wildflowers and grasses offers a powerful, triple-win solution: it is economically smart, ecologically urgent and visually beautiful. 

By scaling back mowing r and planting native plants like milkweed, we can throw a lifeline to the struggling monarch butterfly. In addition, the deep root systems of native plants act as natural filters, capturing road salt and toxic runoff far better than standard turf grass does, thereby protecting our waterways from pollution.

This shift isn’t just good for nature; it’s also cost-effective:

  • According to a Florida Department of Transportation assessment, enhancing just 1,000 acres of roadsides with wildflowers generated nearly $15 million in agricultural pollination services
  • It also saved over $500,000 in weed control costs

Highland Township in Northern Oakland County has shown that this can be done with its Milkweed Mile, and you can learn more about it here. 

I hope you’ll consider adapting our roadside management to include reduced mowing schedules and native plantings. You can learn more about roadside management for pollinators here. 

Thank you for your time and consideration in keeping our community beautiful and sustainable.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address/Contact Information]