Latest news with #MonarchButterflies
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Calls for more milkweed, international conservation plan as monarch butterfly population dwindles
As Monarch butterflies prepare for their big migration, CTV's Alexandra Holyk shares tips to help the endangered species. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Monarch butterflies will soon make their annual migration to Mexico but, before they take off on the 4,000-kilometre trek, some are spending their days at pollinator garden in Stratford, Ont. 'The butterflies that you see throughout the summer are here to basically enjoy their summer vacation,' explained Barb Hacking, a monarch butterfly enthusiast. 'The monarchs that we're seeing now, the eggs that are being laid now, are what we call the super generation. They're going to be slightly bigger.' She has raised monarch butterflies for over 40 years, first as a teacher and now as one of the facilitators of the Ted Blowes Memorial Pollinator Peace Garden. Hacking works alongside her 89-year-old gardening partner, Bernie Van Herk, who got involved in the project around five years ago. Together they collect monarch eggs found on milkweed leaves in the garden. 'We protect them until they're butterflies simply because many of the eggs will get eaten or the caterpillars get eaten,' Hacking explained. monarch butterfly summer stratford ontario migration flower A monarch butterfly perched on a flower in Stratford, Ont. on Aug. 13, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News) The pair then brings the butterflies back to the garden where they release them. They also help educate others on the endangered species. 'It's amazing what they do,' Van Herk said of the butterflies. 'I like it because it makes people happy.' The population of monarch butterflies, however, is dwindling. 'The monarch population has declined significantly over the past 25 to 30 years,' explained Tyler Flockhart, a former post-doctoral fellow at the University of Guelph. monarch butterfly summer stratford ontario migration flower Miya, 9, and Aliyah, 8, at Stratford's Ted Blowes Memorial Pollinator Peace Garden on Aug. 13, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News) He said the driving factor for the drop is habitat loss and, specifically, the eradication of common milkweed plants. Milkweed is the only plant monarch butterflies will lay their eggs on. Ontario removed it from its 'noxious weeds' list in 2014, allowing public and private gardeners to freely plant milkweed. A new research study by Flockhart and Ryan Norris, a professor at the University of Guelph, suggests a collaborative conservation plan between Canada, the United States and Mexico. 'The conservation of this species is really a shared effort between the three countries because monarchs move between these three countries over the annual cycle,' Flockhart said. The study also recommends investing $150 million USD, over a five-year period, towards restoration efforts. The first four years, or $120 million USD, would go toward the U.S. Midwest, where monarch productivity tends to be the highest. 'Then, in the fifth year, you would actually allocate funds both in southern Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada, as well as in Mexico, where the butterflies overwinter,' Flockhart explained. His hope is that millions of milkweed plants will result in millions of monarch butterflies. 'If you plant for them, they will come,' added Hacking. On the local level, both Hacking and Flockhart say the best thing people can do is plant milkweed in their gardens. Rearing and raising monarch butterflies For those looking to try their hand at raising monarch butterflies themselves, Hacking said important to create a habitat outdoors instead of bringing the eggs or caterpillars inside. 'It's not something that's recommended,' she added. 'It's a listed species in Canada, you actually aren't supposed to collect them,' Flockhart said. According to the Toronto Entomologists' Association, monarch and swallowtail butterflies are protected under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Act. Therefore, those looking to rear more than one monarch or swallowtail caterpillar must get a permit from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Topeka healthcare system celebrates loved one's lives
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Thousands of people gathered at the Midland Care campus for the 29th year, to celebrate the lives of their loved ones. Guests were able to see displays of their loved ones, next to thousands of others. Monarch butterflies were released to commemorate those who have passed, that's a Native American tradition. 27 News Meteorologist Matt Miller was there to help lead the event. The event coordinators said it's almost like a big family party. Car drives into The Wheel Barrel in north Topeka 'It's really special. It really connects you back to your purpose,' VP of Strategic Initiatives, Jeremy Wiltz said. 'You know, we come to this campus every day to work, and it's nice to take a night to really say thank you to those families that have entrusted us in their care. And then also, we're with you.' The money raised from the event will go towards funding their non-profit hospice program. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
