Written by Laura McMahon Photography by Reese Lukei
Waystation garden to provide monarch butterflies a place to rest, breed, and feed
A new project is underway at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge – a monarch butterfly waystation. This garden will bring added beauty, wonder, and biodiversity to the refuge. Best of all, the waystation will provide much-needed food and habitat for the struggling migratory monarch butterfly.
Each year, millions of monarchs make the incredible journey from their breeding grounds in the U.S. and Canada to the forests in central Mexico where they hibernate. Their migratory pattern is the most highly evolved of any known species of their kind according to worldwildlife.org.
Many fly up to 2,500 miles in their annual migration! Pretty impressive for a tiny insect that weighs no more than a paper clip.
Unfortunately, the migratory monarch is in serious trouble. Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has added it to the ‘Red List’ of endangered species. Among other factors, climate change, loss of habitat, and the reduction of the milkweed plant have led to a steady decline in their population.
Planting more milkweed could help boost their numbers. To say monarch caterpillars depend on milkweed is an understatement. It’s the only plant they eat.
The garden is a Society project. The Society is the official Friends group of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The waystation supports the Society’s goals in the areas of Biology, Environmental Education, and Refuge Infrastructure.
The new waystation garden will include at least two different types of milkweed and other nectar plants such as Bee balm (Monarda punctata) and Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida). The monarchs will lay their eggs on the milkweed host plants. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars will feed exclusively on their leaves while the adults consume the nutrient-rich nectar from nearby native plants.
We can all play a role in supporting these beautiful butterflies.
One way is to plant milkweed in your own yard. Be sure to plant only native varieties. Safe bets include Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca); Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa); and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias Incarnata). For more information, click here.
Keep in mind the milkweed is for the egg-laying and the caterpillar-munching. The adult butterflies will need nectar plants to keep them fueled. Be sure to plant native flowers that bloom when monarchs are in your area. New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) and Hollow Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum) are nice additions.
The Waystation Project at the refuge will require ongoing support and help from volunteers. Opportunities include garden maintenance, help with educational activities, and coordination of work groups. For more information, please email Project Leader Barry Kurzer at drblkurzer@gmail.com.
Thank you for your ongoing support with Society projects. They simply would not be successful without you! Please be sure to stop by the waystation garden in the coming months to check it out.
Until next time,
See you down at the refuge!
The Society’s purpose is to promote and support the BBNWR in its mission to conserve, protect and enhance natural resources through projects, advocacy, outreach, education, fundraising, diverse membership and volunteerism for the betterment of the Refuge. To find out more about the Society, please click here.
There are no dues required for Society membership. The Society depends on donations to fund programs and projects that directly support the refuge. To make a tax-deductible donation, please click here.
Waystation Garden Project
Posted: August 8, 2022 by Back Bay NWR Society
Written by Laura McMahon Photography by Reese Lukei
Waystation garden to provide monarch butterflies a place to rest, breed, and feed
A new project is underway at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge – a monarch butterfly waystation. This garden will bring added beauty, wonder, and biodiversity to the refuge. Best of all, the waystation will provide much-needed food and habitat for the struggling migratory monarch butterfly.
Each year, millions of monarchs make the incredible journey from their breeding grounds in the U.S. and Canada to the forests in central Mexico where they hibernate. Their migratory pattern is the most highly evolved of any known species of their kind according to worldwildlife.org.
Many fly up to 2,500 miles in their annual migration! Pretty impressive for a tiny insect that weighs no more than a paper clip.
Unfortunately, the migratory monarch is in serious trouble. Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has added it to the ‘Red List’ of endangered species. Among other factors, climate change, loss of habitat, and the reduction of the milkweed plant have led to a steady decline in their population.
Planting more milkweed could help boost their numbers. To say monarch caterpillars depend on milkweed is an understatement. It’s the only plant they eat.
The garden is a Society project. The Society is the official Friends group of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The waystation supports the Society’s goals in the areas of Biology, Environmental Education, and Refuge Infrastructure.
The new waystation garden will include at least two different types of milkweed and other nectar plants such as Bee balm (Monarda punctata) and Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida). The monarchs will lay their eggs on the milkweed host plants. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars will feed exclusively on their leaves while the adults consume the nutrient-rich nectar from nearby native plants.
We can all play a role in supporting these beautiful butterflies.
One way is to plant milkweed in your own yard. Be sure to plant only native varieties. Safe bets include Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca); Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa); and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias Incarnata). For more information, click here.
Keep in mind the milkweed is for the egg-laying and the caterpillar-munching. The adult butterflies will need nectar plants to keep them fueled. Be sure to plant native flowers that bloom when monarchs are in your area. New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) and Hollow Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum) are nice additions.
The Waystation Project at the refuge will require ongoing support and help from volunteers. Opportunities include garden maintenance, help with educational activities, and coordination of work groups. For more information, please email Project Leader Barry Kurzer at drblkurzer@gmail.com.
Thank you for your ongoing support with Society projects. They simply would not be successful without you! Please be sure to stop by the waystation garden in the coming months to check it out.
Until next time,
See you down at the refuge!
The Society’s purpose is to promote and support the BBNWR in its mission to conserve, protect and enhance natural resources through projects, advocacy, outreach, education, fundraising, diverse membership and volunteerism for the betterment of the Refuge. To find out more about the Society, please click here.
There are no dues required for Society membership. The Society depends on donations to fund programs and projects that directly support the refuge. To make a tax-deductible donation, please click here.
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