Farmers for monarchs
Farmers for Monarchs – Is a Keystone Collaborative initiative. The Collaborative consists of national organizations representing farmers, ranchers, and land owners; businesses working along the agricultural supply chain; researchers and academic institutions; federal and state entities; and conservation organizations. Farmers for Monarchs support productive agriculture and livestock operations in concert with monarch conservation. An increase in milkweed and nectar plants appropriately placed in rural areas can benefit monarchs without inhibiting production. Because farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land across much of monarch habitat, they are in a unique position to support sustainable monarch populations.
To learn more, pleas visit, farmersformonarchs.org.
Parks for Pollinators
Parks for Pollinators is a national campaign created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), that focuses on raising awareness of the current pollinator crisis by encouraging local action and positioning parks as a national leader in advancing pollinator health, native habitat, and sustainability practices. This campaign continues to assess the public’s understanding of pollinators, to outline actions to protect them and to increase local park and recreation agencies’ capacity to promote pollinator protection within parks and to engage and educate their communities on what they can do to help.
To learn more, please visit, nrpa.org.
mONARCH WAYSTATION PROGRAM
Monarch Waystations provide the resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds in their breeding areas in North America, monarchs cannot produce successive generations. Similarly, without nectar from flowers, fall migratory monarchs cannot make their journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. This need for host plants and energy sources applies to all monarch populations.
To offset the loss of milkweeds and nectar sources, we need to create, conserve, and protect monarch butterfly habitats. You can help by creating “Monarch Waystations” in gardens, schools, parks, and other areas. This can be as simple as adding milkweeds and nectar sources to existing gardens. No effort is too small to have a positive impact.
NABA BUTTERFLY GARDEN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
To join the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Butterfly Garden Certification Program, your garden must meet these requirements:
- Grow at least three different native caterpillar food plants, preferably more than one of each species.
- Grow at least three different native butterfly nectar sources, preferably more than one of each species.
- Avoid using pesticides, as they can harm butterflies and other pollinators.
Pollinator habitat help desk
Monarch Joint Venture created a Free Pollinator Habitat Help Desk to support land owners and managers of private working lands. They work with a vast network of partner organizations to provide pointed and regionally appropriate guidance for habitat goals of any size.
To learn more, please visit, monarchjointventure.org.
Monarch conservation on working lands
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest managers on voluntary conservation efforts to combat the decline of monarchs on private lands by establishing new habitats and managing existing habitats for monarchs and pollinators.
To learn more, please visit, nrcs.usda.gov.
NWF CERTIFIED WILDLIFE HABITAT
The National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Garden for Wildlife program encourages habitat restoration. To create a Certified Wildlife Habitat, provide food and water for pollinators and other wildlife, create cover, provide safe places to raise young, and maintain the habitat’s health.
NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat
BRING BACK THE POLLINATORS
Pollinator conservation begins with four steps: growing pollinator-friendly flowers, providing nest sites, avoiding pesticides, and spreading the word. Commit to these principles by signing the Pollinator Protecting Pledge and displaying the Pollinator Habitat sign from the Xerces Society.