PLANT A MILKWEED GARDEN

You can help monarch butterflies!

- Kirsten W. Larson

THE NUMBER OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES HAS DWINDLED OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES. At Pismo Beach, California, one the largest of colonies in North America, volunteers counted 24,000 butterflies in November 2022. About 25 years ago, that number was closer to 100,000.

Scientists say that while climate change is a problem for monarchs, their biggest threat is disappearing milkweed. Milkweed plants are important to monarchs. Caterpillars munch only milkweed, while butterflies sip nectar from milkweed and a variety of other flowers. When it comes time to lay eggs, only milkweed leaves will do.

But there are fewer milkweed plants in North America for monarchs. Milkweed is destroyed when open fields are plowed to make way for new neighborhoods.