Save the milkweed for Monarch butterflies!

You may have heard that there has been a drastic decline in the number of monarch butterflies in recent years. A key reason for this is because of a decline in milkweed, mainly from the ill effects of pesticides. According the website http://www.monarchjointventure.org, “Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed; their caterpillars only eat milkweed plants, and monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs.”

A couple of years ago some milkweed plants accidentally found their way into my flowerbed. I left them alone, and more came up last year. This spring they’ve gone crazy. Monarchs really do love them. A rare site to me for years, I now see them each summer, hanging out in my yard, thanks to these plants.

Weed your garden wisely. Save the milkweed for monarchs. Graphic by Holly Tierney-Bedord. Feel free to spread the word to save monarch butterflies.

If you’re unsure what milkweed looks like, here are some samples at varying stages. Please share the important message with others to Save the Milkweed for Monarchs!