Hometown Brandon - Fall 2015

Restoring the Monarch
only plant Monarch caterpillars can eat.
Therefore, as the amount of milkweed
has diminished, equally have the amount
of Monarch Butterflies.
According to the research of the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 970
million butterflies have vanished since
1990 as a result of dangerous herbicides
contaminating and killing milkweed.
Gardeners and butterfly enthusiasts have
taken upon themselves the responsibility
to keep Monarch Butterflies off of the
endangered species list. Protecting and
sustaining this species is not as
difficult as one might think.
Population
According to Renate, the first step to
seeing more monarchs in the community
starts with an abundance of nectar
producing flowers (Petunias, Sunflowers,
Zinnias, etc.) When the Monarchs make
their migration through the southern
United States, they are attracted to areas
with lots of flowers that they may feed
on. The secret to keeping the butterflies
around, however, is milkweed. Adult
butterflies sustain themselves on nectar
flowers, and the females lay the next
generation of eggs beneath the leaves of
milkweed plants. The adult generation
then dies, and the new generation of
butterflies begins their metamorphosis
so that they may continue the migration
into Mexico. Renate Hunt has become
an advocate of the monarch in her own
garden by planting an assortment of
nectar producing flowers in addition to
maintaining a large crop of milkweed.
Every summer, Monarchs take refuge in
Renate’s garden. Her heart is full at the
sight of new butterflies spreading their
wings and flying confidently out of her
garden on to the next part of the journey.
Her hope is that others will find
excitement in providing a resting and
replenishing haven for these beautiful
creatures and join her efforts in helping
the Monarch
butterfly population
take flight once again. ■
30 • Fall 2015