The Problem
The declining population of Monarch butterflies.
Our Plan
Making a butterfly garden with host plants for Monarch's and other pollinators. (completed small garden in 2022) In hopes to help conserve the Monarch Butterfly population, we have added on to the project we started in 2022. In 2022 the children in our Preschool program ripped out a section of grass and created a pollinator garden. Over the course of spring/summer 2023 we ripped out two areas of grass and began planting a Monarch specific garden. This time the project was a combined effort between our Preschool and (small) School Age Program. Unfortunately we suffered a setback when our garden was eaten by bunnies, but it was a learning lesson for us, and we will approach planting differently this spring. In addition to the gardens, we decided to purchase a native batch of monarch caterpillars and raise them to adulthood within a greenhouse. The idea was they would breed and lay eggs within the contained setting. We would then release the butterflies to the wild once we saw eggs so they can continue the life cycle in nature. Within our greenhouse, we would ensure the eggs make it to adulthood and continue this cycle throughout the season. As a fun side project, we tagged our butterflies and monitored within our community to see how many stayed local. Our final Monarchs of the season were tagged for the Monarch Watch Program. We are looking forward to adding more on this spring as funding permits.
Themes Addressed
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Endangered Species
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Habitat Destruction
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Migratory species
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Pollinators
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The Benefit
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People
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Animals
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Environment
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