Monarch butterflies are perhaps one of nature’s most beautiful and peculiar creatures. Science still struggles to explain the complexity of their annual migration between Mexico and Canada; a journey that takes up to five generations to complete and, along the way, provides great value to our environment and ecosystems.
Two years ago, Mayor Dale Ross took the pledge for Georgetown to help the monarchs on their journey. With a 90 percent decrease in the monarch population in the I-35 corridor over the last 20 years, conservation is essential and Monarch Heroes are needed.
Since then, the monarchs have received a great deal of support from work done by Kimberly Garrett at Parks & Recreation as well as teachers and students at Tippit Middle School.
Help is needed because monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed plants—and nothing else. Once hatched, caterpillars are nourished by the nectar, which also makes them poisonous to predators. But, because milkweed is an invasive plant, farmers have cleared the plants to a great degree, depriving the monarchs of their opportunities to reproduce.
Butterfly habitats, including the other wildflowers they use for nutrients, have disappeared on a massive scale, which affects the butterflies’ ability to survive. Beyond contributing to pollination and natural pest control, butterflies add value in many areas of life, from their beauty to the value they offer in ecosystems, science, and education.
Heroes in action
Students and teachers at Tippit built a garden habitat on school grounds. Robin Blankenship, 8th grade science teacher said, “The biodiversity [in the garden] has increased ten-fold. Birds bathe in the water feature, which has fish swimming in it. We’re seeing caterpillars and butterflies, including a few monarchs.”
Kimberly Garrett reports her staff have successfully grown new milkweed habitats at the VFW and on many of the parks’ trails; and a variety of flowers at the Creative Playscape. They are now planting across the 525 acres of Garey Park; plenty of nursery space for future monarchs.
Mayor Ross says, “It is a very inexpensive way to help save the planet. We don’t take census numbers of butterflies, but we know it’s working because we can see them.”
What You Can Do
Residents can help support the Tippit Garden; “We need monetary and in-kind help,” history teacher Timothy Boswell says. “And we will put the word out when we have community work days.” Call 512-943-5040 to help or donate.
Homeowners can be a hero for Monarchs by planting milkweed. If pesticides must be used to take care of the pests in your wildflower garden, consider non-toxic varieties. The butterflies and beneficial bugs will thank you.