Natural History Wanderings

The New York Times reported on efforts to help the Monarch Butterfly through plantings of Milkweed. Milkweeds are the larval plants (plants on which butterflies lay their eggs) for Monarch Butterflies. The Monarch population has been in serious decline due to the decrease in Milkweeds from the use of pesticides, logging, drought and most of all the loss of native habitat often from farming.

The article highlights the efforts of Dr. Jackson, a University of Northern Iowa biologist and director of itsTallgrass Prairie Center, which has grown milkweed seeds for the state’s natural resources department, spread them in parks and other government lands, helped seed thousands of acres statewide with milkweed and other native plants. Other organizations are also funding research and conservation efforts included planting native prairies that include milkweeds .

To learn more about the plight of the Monarch Butterfly and efforts to help them go to: Setting the Table for a Regal Butterfly Comeback, With Milkweed – NYTimes.com