Do you love monarch butterflies and want to help them survive and thrive? If so, you might want to consider creating a monarch waystation in your garden or backyard. A monarch waystation is a place that provides monarch butterflies with the resources they need to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. By planting milkweed and nectar plants, you can attract monarchs and other pollinators to your waystation and support their life cycle. Monarch butterflies are amazing creatures that migrate thousands of miles every year from Canada and the United States to Mexico and back. However, their population has declined dramatically in recent decades due to habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and other threats. Monarch waystations are one way to help conserve and restore their habitat and ensure their survival.
You may be asking, “Why should I want to create a Monarch Waystation? What are the benefits?” There are so many, but here are just a few: You will help conserve and restore the habitat of monarch butterflies, which, as I previously stated, are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and other factors. Monarch butterflies are important pollinators and indicators of environmental health, and their migration is a natural wonder that needs to be protected. You will also attract and support other pollinators and wildlife that depend on the same plants as monarchs, such as bees, hummingbirds, bats, and birds. This will increase the biodiversity and ecological balance of your garden and your local area. You will enjoy the beauty and diversity of the plants and flowers that you grow in your waystation, which will provide color, fragrance, and texture to your landscape. You will experience the joy and wonder of watching the life cycle of monarch butterflies, from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult. You will also learn more about their biology, behavior, and ecology, and share your knowledge with your family, friends, neighbors, and community. Lastly, you will contribute to citizen science projects that monitor and track the population and migration of monarch butterflies, such as Monarch Watch Tagging or Journey North. You will also join a network of thousands of other waystation owners across North America who share your passion and commitment.
Creating a monarch waystation is not difficult, but it does require some planning and preparation. Here are some steps to follow: Choose a sunny location that is sheltered from strong winds and has access to water. Prepare the soil by removing weeds, grasses, and other unwanted plants. You can use organic mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Select milkweed and nectar plants that are native to your region and suitable for your climate. There is a map and list of native milkweed plants at the end of this blog, curtesy of Monarch Watch. Milkweed is the only host plant for monarch caterpillars, so it is essential to have at least 10 plants of two or more species in your waystation.
Nectar plants provide food for adult butterflies and other pollinators, so it is recommended to have at least four species that bloom at different times of the year. You can find a list of suggested plants for your area on the Monarch Watch website here. Plant the milkweed and nectar plants in clusters or groups of the same species, leaving some space between them for butterflies to move around. You can also add some rocks, logs, or other features to create shelter and resting places for butterflies. Water the plants regularly, especially during dry periods. Avoid using pesticides or herbicides that can harm butterflies and other beneficial insects. Monitor your waystation for signs of monarch activity, such as eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, and adults. You can also participate in those citizen science projects such as Monarch Watch Tagging or Journey North to track and report your observations.
How to get registered for a monarch waystation? Once you have created your monarch waystation, you can get it registered and certified by Monarch Watch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of monarch butterflies. By registering your waystation, you will join a network of thousands of other waystations across North America that provide habitat for monarchs. You will also receive a certificate of appreciation and a metal sign that you can display in your waystation. You’ll need to fill out an online form on the Monarch Watch website, where you will provide information about your waystation such as its size, location, plant species, management practices, and educational or outreach activities. You will also need to pay a one-time fee of $18, (as of Fall 2023) to cover the cost of the sign and the administration of the program. After you submit your form, you will receive an email confirmation with your waystation ID number and a link to view your waystation on the Monarch Waystation Registry. You will also receive your certificate and sign by mail within a few weeks.
By registering your waystation, you will not only contribute to the conservation of monarch butterflies, but also enhance the beauty and biodiversity of your garden. You will also enjoy watching the amazing life cycle of these magnificent insects and share your passion with others. Creating a monarch waystation is a rewarding and meaningful activity that can benefit both you and the environment. It is also a fun and easy way to make a difference in the world. By creating a monarch waystation, you will not only help save the monarchs, but also enrich your own life.
So what are you waiting for? Start creating your own monarch waystation today!
Northeast Region - common milkweed, swamp milkweed, butterfly milkweed, poke milkweed.
South Central Region - antelope horn milkweed, green antelope horn milkweed, zizotes milkweed.
Southeast Region - aquatic milkweed, white milkweed, butterfly milkweed.
West Region - showy milkweed, antelope horn milkweed (only in NV, AZ, NM, CO, ID, KS, and OK).