Friends of the Flyway
To ensure the success of this program, we rely on the generosity of sponsors and donors who understand the importance of supporting local ecosystems:
- Donate: Donations can help fund the plants, resources, and expertise needed to restore Milkweed populations and Monarch habitats across the Kootenays. Every donation counts and directly supports conservation efforts.
- Become a Sponsor: Businesses, organizations and individuals can sponsor the Milkweed for Monarchs program. Sponsorships are a key part of enabling this program to grow and expand, helping us provide plants and resources to more communities at no cost!
By working together, we can restore vital habitats across the Kootenays and help reverse the decline of these iconic butterflies.
Become a Friend of the Flyway
Your donation will help milkweed and monarch conservation in the West Kootenay.
A Collaborative Effort to Save The Monarchs
KNPS is offering a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations, schools, businesses, and local governments to partner with us to establish and maintain Monarch Waystations. This partnership allows folks to contribute directly to the restoration of Monarch butterfly habitat in the Kootenays, while we provide the plants and expertise to ensure success.
How the partnership works:
We provide the plants: KNPS will supply locally sourced milkweed plants and other pollinator-friendly plants suited to each area. We’ll also provide guidance on planting, care, and habitat monitoring.
Partners maintain and monitor: In exchange, community members take on the responsibility of planting, maintaining, and monitoring the garden. This includes ongoing care throughout the growing season and ensuring that the habitat remains healthy and viable for Monarchs and other pollinators.
To ensure the success of this program, we rely on the generosity of sponsors and donors who understand the importance of supporting local ecosystems:
Donate: Donations can help fund the plants, resources, and expertise needed to restore Milkweed populations and Monarch habitats across the Kootenays. Every donation counts and directly supports conservation efforts.
Become a Sponsor: Businesses, organizations and individuals can sponsor the Milkweed for Monarchs program. Sponsorships are a key part of enabling this program to grow and expand, helping us provide plants and resources to more communities at no cost!
By working together, we can restore vital habitats across the Kootenays and help reverse the decline of these iconic butterflies.
Key Benefits of Partnering with KNPS:
Local expertise: KNPS will guide folks through the process of planting and maintaining a Monarch-friendly garden, tailored to their specific location.
Contributing to conservation: this partnership plays a direct role in protecting Monarch butterflies, other pollinators and the native plants that sustain them.
Community impact: By creating a network of milkweed habitats, we can connect local ecosystems and enhance the overall health of our environment.
A Partnership for Long-Term Sustainability
The success of the Milkweed for Monarchs program relies on the commitment of our partners to not only plant the native species, but also to monitor and maintain the waystations over time. In this collaborative effort, KNPS provides the local, native plants, and expert guidance, while our partners take on the responsibility of caring for the plants and monitoring for Monarchs.
By entering into this partnership, community members can help to create thriving ecosystems for pollinators and native plants, and contributing to the long-term success of the project. This exchange is a shared commitment to ensuring these habitats remain healthy, sustainable, and effective in supporting Monarch butterflies and other local pollinators.
Maintenance
The responsibilities of partners in the Milkweed for Monarchs program will include:
- Planting the Milkweed and Native Plants: Partners will receive a kit containing Showy Milkweed and other pollinator-friendly native plants. We will provide clear instructions on planting locations, spacing, and best practices for ensuring the plants establish successfully.
- Ongoing care and maintenance: The plants require regular care, including:
- Watering bi-weekly and during during dry spells, particularly in the early stages of growth
- Weeding around the plants to minimize competition and ensure the plants have enough resources
- Mulching to retain moisture and protect plant roots
Monitoring
Monitoring the waystation will also be apart of the responsibilities of a partner. This is vital in providing critical data on Monarch populations and their migration patterns. Monitoring tasks will include:
- Monitoring for Monarchs: Keep an eye out for Monarch butterflies at different stages of their lifecycle including:
- Adult Monarchs visiting the milkweed plants for nectar or laying eggs
- Eggs on the underside of the leaves
- Caterpillars feeding on the milkweed leaves
- Chrysalides, if present
It’s important to track the number of Monarchs and document sightings, as this helps to map their migration and monitor their use of local habitats. Monarch Watch (www.MonarchWatch.org) provides resources on how to properly track and report these sightings, ensuring that the data collected is valuable for ongoing research.