Hoboken Mayor Signs Monarch Butterfly Pledge

Hoboken Mayor Emily B. Jabbour has signed the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, committing the city to protecting monarch butterflies and supporting pollinator-friendly habitats.

The announcement coincides with May 2, recognized nationally as Start Seeing Monarchs Day, an observance focused on the seasonal return of monarch butterflies and awareness of their declining populations.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, the eastern monarch butterfly population has declined by roughly 80 percent since the 1990s, driven by habitat loss, climate change, and the disappearance of milkweed, the species’ only breeding habitat.

“Protecting monarch butterflies is not just about preserving a beautiful species but also about strengthening the ecosystems we all depend on,” Jabbour said. “Through collective action and community engagement, we can make a real difference, even in an urban environment like right here in Hoboken.”

Residents can take part through Hoboken’s Spring Fling community cleanup event on May 16, during which volunteers will plant milkweed and other habitat-supporting plants in parks and green spaces.