Why is it important to create habitat for Monarchs?
- Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed, as Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed
- Milkweed is the only plant on which monarch butterflies will lay their eggs
- Shifting priorities in land management has resulted in the loss of much milkweed from the landscape
- Planting milkweed supports monarch populations, and their incredible migration journey (Did you know--Monarch butterflies travel up to 3,000 miles each fall to their wintering site in central Mexico?)
- In 2004, 550 million Monarchs completed the winter migration, while in 2013 only 33 million arrived
- Much of this can be attributed to illegal foresting, but an even worse culprit is the large-scale use of herbicides that destroy milkweed
Nina & Peggy are tricking our milkweed seeds into thinking they've been through winter. "Cold stratification" is important for good germination and growth.Here's how you can help:
- Scientists, conservationists, and butterfly enthusiasts around the world are encouraging people to grow milkweed in their own yards and gardens
- Contact your town representatives and discuss adding milkweed to your local community garden, or in unoccupied land space
- Share blogs & articles about Monarch butterflies and milkweed online
- Sign a petition to protect Monarch butterflies from deadly herbicides
Milkweed and Monarch Butterflies | Vernon, VermontGetting started with your milkweed garden:
- Contact the Monarch Watch Seed Bank where you can donate or request seeds.
- When buying seeds, always make sure they are Monarch friendly. Believe it or not, unsuspecting people have killed off butterflies trying to plant Milkweed covered in herbicides
- Gather seeds from nearby Milkweed gardens
- Directions for planting milkweed seed can be found at LiveMonarch.com.
- Together and with a little help from Mother Nature we can bring back the Monarchs!
- Remember to use the hashtag #MonarchsVT to share your progress with us!
