Every fall, North American monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico and Southern California seeking warmer conditions. Monarchs are the only butterflies with a two way migration pattern similar to that of birds. Many other butterfly species are able to survive cold winters. However, the winters in many Northern climates are far too cold for monarchs to survive. The butterflies travel thousands of miles every year seeking warmer weather in winter and eventually returning North.
Unfortunately, the migration of monarchs is being disturbed by various environmental factors. The butterflies rely on milkweeds and nectar sources for energy during their long journey. The monarch caterpillars are only able to eat milkweed. With no milkweed, the number of monarchs surviving to reproductive age will begin to dwindle.
The plants are being threatened by urban development, harmful agricultural practices and climate change. Development across the United States is destroying habitats along the monarch's migration path. Habitats are disappearing at a rate of about 2.2 million acres a year. In addition to the loss of land due to development, most of the milkweed habitats that the monarchs rely on are within major agricultural areas. With the use of herbicides and herbicide resistant crops on the rise, milkweed numbers have fallen drastically.
A fantastic way to restore monarch habitats is through the creation of a Monarch Waystation. A Waystation is an area dedicated to growing milkweed and various kinds of nectar plants that is completely pesticide free. In an effort to protect the monarch populations, these station are popping up all along the migration path. The monarch habitats are commonly found in parks, schools, zoos and various other places that with unused plots of land.
Interested in creating a Monarch Waystation of your own? Visit this link to learn more about the requirements and plant species that generate a successful habitat. You can receive a seed kit, tips and certification to get your Waystation up and running quickly.
If you are a University of Tulsa student and are interested in getting involved, we plan to create Monarch Waystations this semester on campus. The milkweed and other nectar plants need to be planted to in early February. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tulsa is in the middle of the monarch's migration path so not only will the Waystations make our campus more beautiful, they will play a major role in providing a "pit stop" for the butterflies.
