And Thank You for visiting!  This blog is created for discussion and awareness about the Monarch Butterfly.  It’s so funny how things go, when I was growing up the thought of a caterpillar nest got me squirmy and sometimes queasy if I knew I had to go near one. I’d even blame my allergy attacks on them.  I absolutely hated those things.  However many years later I began teaching my children about nature when I noticed that the dreaded nests were no longer in full action.  In fact I could bear the very few we saw, so when they look at me strange wondering why I was so weird about it, that’s exactly how I feel weird.  But that wasn’t just a figment of my young mind, it’s real.  There are just no caterpillar nests in trees the way they were when I was growing up.  My curiosity took me to several places including hours of study in the library and on the Internet.  What I found was so profound I felt strongly that the story had to be told and shared in a way that could excite and inspire.  There also a number of ways to help, which we will go into in a moment.  But first to share what I found: The migration is shrinking at an astonishing rate, last year 60 million migrant butterflies were recorded, this year less that three million that staggered into Mexico about a week late; along with drought, natural vegetation depletion and herbicides and insecticides, the Monarch Butterfly is on the verge of extinction.  In Mexico, where the butterflies are attracted there is a forest where the climate is conducive to such a delicate nature, the forest is also rich in natural resources and is in danger of being destroyed.

There are some ways you can help.  It can be as simple as setting a little place aside in your garden for the butterflies.  In a mud puddle, include (be sure to do this away from your main garden, as it can get messy) milkweed and other nectar producing plants like Rose of Sharon, perennials, daisies, cone flowers and day lilies. Adults only should use butterfly bushes.  Herb gardens to attract butterflies can include yarrow, mints, bee balm and verbena.  Each year you should add a varied mix of annuals.

Another way to help is to consider becoming a part of a Tagging Program in your area. Monarch Watch is the authority on tagging and tracking.  They have a very effective data collection system that monitors butterflies nationwide, including Canada and Mexico. Tagging is as simple as attending an event at your local park authority of by contacting http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/peak.html to find out peak migration in your area. Be sure to send back your data sheets!

One note on recoveries:  Most of the recovered tagged Monarchs within the United States and Canada are found dead by people who know nothing about monarchs or Monarch Watch. In 2004,  Monarch Watch has changed the way the information is gathered and shared.  More information about this can be found on their website at http://www.monarchwatch.org.

And of course a donation of any amount would be most helpful to continue the research of a dying species at any of the reputable foundation that serves to protect wildlife.

In the meantime my book is now available for ordering, get your copy  before the release date of 2/4/2014 at http://raaa11.wix.com/kendrajacksonauthor.  Bella’s New Wings: An Adventure is about an average caterpillars journey to becoming a butterfly and what happens once the change takes place.  There are many characters who also have their share of growing pains in the path they decide to take.  It’s an amazing story of the inner workings of connectivity in a way that was once assumed.  Grab a copy for you and the kid in your life today.

“Serving God motivates me to do better than yesterday.”

Related articles

• Butterfly Weed for Monarch Butterflies (landscaping.answers.com)
• The monarchs are in trouble (melissawiley.com)
• 125 Years: A National Geographic Celebration (potterybarnkids.com)
• Where Are All the Butterflies? (rinf.com)
• Monarch Butterflies are just about gone (thewildlifenews.com)

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