This time of year, monarch butterflies begin their annual migration from their summer breeding grounds to their overwintering sites in Mexico. The massive influx of these insects through our area is not only quite a sight to see, it’s also a great opportunity to give a helping hand, from where you are. Here are three ways you can help monarchs this fall.
Monarch roost, photo by Arlene Koziol
1. Report roosting sites
As monarchs move south in great numbers, they roost in trees overnight – sometimes forming large, impressive clusters. Have you seen one of these roosts? If so, log your monarch roost sighting at journeynorth.org/sightings. Tracking these roosts help scientists understand monarch migration and protect these locations!
Beautiful milkweed seeds, photo by USFWS Midwest
2. Collect, clean, and donate your milkweed seeds
Milkweed are a vital plant for monarchs, as it is the only plant adults will lay eggs on and the only plant the young will eat. With more milkweed on the ground, the chances of increasing monarch populations are great!
This year in Wisconsin, tens of thousands of acres are being planted to native species that provide food and reproduction needs for monarchs and other wildlife. More milkweed seeds are needed to support that. If you have milkweed in your yard, please consider harvesting, cleaning, and donating your milkweed seeds to Madison Audubon. We will distribute those seeds to folks who are doing these large-scale plantings.
Watch a video by Graham Steinhauer explaining how to harvest and clean your milkweed seeds: https://youtu.be/m1MmxqiBY28
Fill out the form below to share that you are interested in donating your milkweed!
Milkweed Donation Form
A monarch in hand, photo by Arlene Koziol
3. Tag your local monarchs
Each year, Madison Audubon is joined by scores of community members to net, place tiny stickers on, and release monarchs back on their way to Mexico. These stickers are tiny, nearly weightless, and have a unique number on them. That “tag” is used to track which monarchs make it to Mexico, from where, their body condition, and more.
This fall, Madison Audubon is hosting just two small-group tagging sessions at our beautiful Goose Pond Sanctuary. You can join in by clicking here to register.
Thank you for all you do for monarchs and Wisconsin’s natural world!
Written by Brenna Marsicek, Madison Audubon director of communications and outreach
Cover photo by Howard County Library System
Madison Audubon is a proud supporter of the Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative, a group of organizations, agencies, industries, and individuals working together to protect monarchs in Wisconsin and beyond. Learn more at wimonarchs.org
