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Recently, I was asked, "What can a "regular homeowner" do to help monarchs migrate North and South?" What a great question! Of course, the easy answer is plant and protect milkweed, the monarch caterpillar's host plant, but there is so much more we can do. Everyday, we make choices that either help or hurt the monarchs and their iconic migration. Here are five surprising ways you can help monarchs and one obvious action you can take today: 1. Eat GRASS FED meat born and raised in the United States. Saving the prairies and grasslands are critical. The grasslands are the most important ecosystem to monarch butterflies and it needs grazing animals to stay healthy. Most cattle, bison, sheep, and chickens, won't eat milkweed so monarch caterpillars are not at risk of being eaten by grazers. In some states, over 99% of their grasslands have been converted to monocrop agriculture leading to a significant loss in biodiversity and habitat for monarchs and other wildlife. 2. Turn off outside lights at night. For both bugs and birds artificial lights disturb migration and navigation as well as wakefulness/sleep cycles. Learn more about light pollution and its affect on wildlife at Dark Sky. 3. Look for milkweed in your community and educate those around you about its importance as the sole food source of monarch butterflies. Warning: once you start looking it's difficult to stop! Talk to roadside managers and maintenance crews about the timing of mowing areas that contain milkweed. For more information, the Monarch Joint Venture has a helpful guide about maintaining community monarch habitat found on roadsides and parks. 4. Talk to children about the monarch migration and life cycle. You never know who you might inspire. As Baba Dioum said, "For in the end, we will only conserve what we love; we will only love what we understand; we will only understand what we are taught." Ecological literacy and stewardship of Nature are keystones to environmental health. Getting children hands on experience with monarchs and the local ecosystem will give them the tools necessary to champion monarchs and other wildlife into the future. 5. Use products made from sustainably harvested milkweed materials. Milkweed was used extensively for food, medicine, cosmetics, clothing, bedding and shelter for thousands of years. In the 1940's university scientists deemed milkweed as an uncooperative plant unsuitable for agriculture. At Monarch Flyway, we work with Nature and communities to provide milkweed materials to companies interested in innovation and ecologically beneficial products. Right now, there are just a few milkweed products on the market which are offered by Ogallala Comfort, Monarch Botanika, and Milkweed Balm, but more are on the way. And now, I offer you the obvious answer: 1. Plant NATIVE milkweed and nectar plants in the space in which you control. Even if it is potted plants on a balcony at an apartment, your choices matter. Remember, every hero and villain has a part to play in the ecosystem. You will see bugs all over your milkweed plants. Do not try to "fix" it. Nature works at creating balance and just because it may not be a monarch, doesn't mean it should not be there. Aphids are the main food source of ladybugs and LOVE covering milkweed, do not take action against them. Reduce chemicals and enjoy the show, even if it makes you cry sometimes. I remember seeing monarch wings on the ground with a praying mantis finishing off its last bite of monarch body and, I cried and resisted the urge to retaliate or "protect" other possible victims from its clutches. A lesson in the circle of life. We can do so much to help monarchs go from endangered to plentiful again. In 2021, there was a 35% increase in overwintering monarchs in Mexico. While we are not where we want to be in terms of population size, our everyday actions can go a long way to help their recovery.

Nebraska helps feed the World, but did you know that pollinators are responsible for 1 out of every 3 bites of food you take? Governor Pete Ricketts officially proclaimed June 20-26th as Pollinator Week on June 22, 2022 in a ceremony at the Capitol. From honeybees to butterflies, moths, birds and bats, pollinators are responsible for pollinating about 90% of all flowering plants, and these plants wouldn’t exist without them. Pollinator week is a way to learn, celebrate, and protect pollinators. “Nebraska does a lot for pollinators.” said Debbie Dekleva, CEO of Monarch Flyway and founder of Sustainable Monarch. “In 2015, the Nebraska Department of Roads kept the roadsides very tidy by mowing a lot. When they learned that monarch butterfly population decreased by 90% they implemented ways in which they could help the pollinator rebound. They started planting milkweed, the only plant monarch caterpillars will eat, and nectar plants for the adult butterflies.” “Monarchs are a great poster child for pollinators because they are easily recognizable and their iconic migration from Mexico to Canada is awe inspiring,” said Debbie Dekleva, “It takes 5-6 generations to complete the migration and they need suitable habitat throughout the migration path, including through Nebraska.” In addition to Nebraska Department of Transportation, the Sandhills and ranching community do a lot for pollinators as well. Grazing natural landscapes like the Sandhills is critical to keep plants regenerating from the roots, increase the duration of blooms, and disperses seeds and fertilizer for new plants to grow. When plants are in bloom, pollinators are working behind the scenes to create more seeds and help continue the growth cycle and increase biodiversity. Based on recent genetic tracing for the monarch migration, Nebraska rangelands are a significant producer of monarchs that reach Mexico to overwinter, a journey that can be 2,500 miles. With the continuous cycle of pollination and reproduction, the Sandhills feed people all over the world with Nebraska beef being served as a delicacy. No matter where you live or what you do, people all over can help pollinators thrive by planting Native plants and reducing chemical inputs whether at home or at work. One way to track pollinators is through iNaturalist, an ap that allows you to upload pictures and then helps identify plants, insects, and other wildlife. Getting into Nature and learning about native plants, pollinators, and other wildlife will help Nebraska keep feeding the World for generations.