SAVE THE MONARCHS

Imagine driving the interstate highway between Texas and Canada without plenty of restaurants and gas stations along the way.

That's the dilemma facing the monarch butterfly during its annual migration from Mexico to Canada and back again. Sources of food and rest stops in the natural environment are becoming scarce. The number of monarchs in north America is shrinking at an alarming rate. 

Many groups, some in my home county, are trying to reverse the decline by establishing butterfly gardens and Monarch Way-stations to help the butterflies feed and reproduce along their journey. In my area, two Way-stations have been certified that include native milkweek, nectar plants, flowers with red blooms and other resources vital to the monarchs. Six more Way-stations are in the works and will be completed and certified this year.

All across the U.S. along the migration route, master gardeners and conservationists are conducting seminars and programs to inform and educate local residents about butterfly gardens, a butterfly habitat and a Monarch Way-station. Many such facilities are needed to save the monarchs from extinction.

We, too, can make a difference. If all of us dedicated just one flower bed or patio planter to plants benefiting this colorful insect, we would receive satisfaction and pleasure.

A world without monarchs would be a drab and dull place.