Spring migration – old & young adult Photo: http://palmraeurbanpotager.com
I recently posted on the plight of the Monarch butterfly and things we can do to help. Mary Holland shared an awesome website that uses citizen science to track northward migrations of not just Monarchs, but other migrants as well. I love this site! For those who are curious as to when to expect visitors to your yard and gardens, check it out!
First Adult Monarch Spring April 10, 2014 http://www.learner.org
Yesterday, I was able to get funding from our local Garden Club (thank you ladies!) to plant 200 milkweed and coneflower plants at our Grammar School. Parents have volunteered their backs and minds to the project and teachers will use plantings to teach kids about nature.
A home-schooled neighbor, along with her younger sister, has been inspired to do a study on the plight of the Monarchs. Her dad, who owns an orthodontic practice, has generously donated funds for packets of ‘butterfly garden’ seeds, which will be given away at local outlets by the girls to educate the public. Win-win-win all the way around for insects, plants, nature, kids and adults!
Who says that one small person can’t make a world of difference?
Eliza Waters 
Wonderful!
Thanks, Victor!
I have a Butterfly Bush and am hoping to see more Monarchs this year. Great post, Eliza!!! Wonderful! Love, Amy
That’s great, Amy. Adult monarchs love Buddleia. If you have a mind to, plant some milkweed so they will lay eggs; their larvae feed only on milkweed. 🙂
Eliza, thank you! I will plant milkweed! I will get right on it!!! xx Amy
Love!
Yes, LOVE is the answer. Don’t I know it. (smile)
Thank you Eliza for the posts you plant!
Plant, I like that! 🙂
That is a great idea! Thanks so much on my behalf even if I’m in P.R..This is for everyone to celebrate! I hope people follow your example on the west coast because that is where they had the massive Milkweed decline.
I read that the Midwest is hard hit as well. I really think this decline can be turned around by everybody working in tandem. I learned that the average female Monarch can produce over 500 eggs before dying. We just have to create the habitat for them to recover.
I love all butterflies, especially monarchs. thanks for this interesting post. 🙂
Thanks, Geraldine. Do you garden much?
That map is amazing. Thanks for the post.
You are welcome! It’s a great site for tracking migration.
You carry such an energy of transformation into the world. I find your ability to connect to be inspiring. I don’t know your history- but have you been a teacher? I always learn so much from your posts.
Thanks, Kim, for such a nice compliment! I do love to teach/share what I have learned, but am not formally trained as a teacher. However, my mother was a teacher, so maybe it’s in my DNA! 🙂
I will be adding some more this summer,too! You are an inspiration!!! Good for you making the project happen:-) I will be watching the summer to see if I can attract more:-)
That is so great, Robbie. I read that the Mid-west has been particularly hard hit. I hope their numbers can rebound.
How gorgeous!
🙂
We don’t get the Monarchs… 😦 We do have their plant the milkweed, so if they ever decide to visit we have snacks.
Sorry, Dawn, that’s right … they are only in CA on the west coast. But glad to know if they ever make it to Seattle (due to climate change?), there will be food waiting for them. 🙂