The World Wildlife Fund led an annual survey on the Monarch butterfly and tallied the second-lowest number of monarchs on record. According to this year’s estimate, the eastern monarch butterfly colonies took up two-point-two acres of regional forests, which is over 50-percent less than during the 2022 to 2023 winter season. Locally, the Monmouth Rotary Club has constructed at Monarch Butterfly Way Station at the Monmouth Park to attract the insects, shares member Kristyne Gilbert:
“There is a park out at the Monmouth Park on the south side. It is a lovely, lovely garden. Our volunteers with the Rotary Club have planted the milk pods, have put in signage for educational purposes, so if you have students are interested in learning or are looking for a class project or resources, they can also use it for that. If you are looking just to go out and take a walk and see what is going on in nature, it is a wonderful space and the club has worked really hard to keep it planted and trimmed and mowed. We are also very thankful to the Park District for helping us maintain it as well.”
Officials say monarch butterflies have a key role in sustaining plant ecosystems, but their habitat is depleting from heat and drought that has been brought on by climate change.
***Survey Data of the Story is Courtesy of Total Traffic News***
