One of our favorite natural friends, the Monarch butterfly is disappearing, having suffered a huge population drop in recent years due largely to widespread application of herbicides on U.S. farmlands, wiping out milkweed (the only plant Monarch larvae eat) and other native plants that adult butterflies and bees rely on for nectar. We support planting butterfly habitat gardens to restore islands of native milkweed and nectar-producing plants across the U.S. through our Monarch Sister Schools Program.
One of our favorite natural friends, the Monarch butterfly is disappearing**, having suffered a huge population drop in recent years due largely to widespread application of herbicides on U.S. farmlands – wiping out milkweed (the only plant Monarch larvae eat) and other native plants that adult butterflies and bees rely on for nectar.
No milkweed, no Monarchs.
Save the Monarchs Campaign – Creating the garden
Join the Save the Monarchs Campaign and a growing network of schools and garden shops committed to planting butterfly habitat gardens to restore islands of native milkweed (for Monarch larvae) and nectar-producing plants (for adult butterflies and bees) across the U.S. through our Monarch Sister Schools Program.
Your donation of $60 will buy 10 plants (or $30 buys five), a significant step toward planting a typical habitat garden with 100 native plants. Of course, we would be delighted if you could sponsor an entire garden with $600.
A donation of $150 will buy a set of tools for an after-school Garden Clubs to maintain its school’s habitat garden, or co-sponsor the tools with $75. By clicking the link below, you can make a tax-deductible donation to Natural Partners, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit that created and runs the Monarch Sister Schools Program.
Volunteers
Also, let us know if you would be interested in volunteering to help plant and maintain one of these new habitat gardens at a school in your own community!
For more information in this regard, please feel free to contact Kelly Lawhorn about the Program at Kelly@monarchsisterschools.org or (240) 997-5185, including our work with local garden shops to promote the planting of butterfly habitat gardens.
The Sad Story of the Disappearing Monarchs.
In the past, tens of millions of Monarch butterflies each fall made the journey of 2,000-plus miles from the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada to a small patch of forest in central Mexico to spend the winter, one of the most spectacular migrations of nature. Last year’s migration, however, was down 59%. This season has begun even worse. For the full story, see the NYTimes articles under ‘News” at monarchsisterschools.org, but please don’t forget to make a donation to help!
Sincerely,
William Dent Executive Director / Natural Partners
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