Latest news with #monarchbutterfly
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Schaumburg, Illinois seniors work to nurture monarch butterflies, which are at risk of being endangered
The monarch butterfly is Illinois' state insect and has held that distinction for 50 years — having been suggested for the honor by third grade classes in Decatur in 1975. But the butterfly is also in danger of landing on the endangered species list. Some retirees are hoping to reverse that trend. Volunteer Ned Bruns recently spent a gorgeous morning digging up ugly weeds. "It'd be easier to say, how often am I not here?" Bruns said. It is certainly a peaceful way to spend retirement. But keeping the Schaumburg Park District beautiful is not the only goal of the gardening work he does. Bruns is on a team of volunteers trying to save monarch butterflies by cultivating milkweed — the only plant where they lay eggs. "I'm a retired union carpenter and, if you think about it, we created all the homes here — which has taken up some of the habitat for the monarch butterfly," Bruns said. Bruns is part of a team of volunteers who educate the public about the demise of the state insect. He helped build boxes for caterpillars and cocoons that represent increasingly precious shelter. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is close to categorizing the monarch butterfly is threatened, which is one step away from endangered. If that happens, federal protections could make it tricker for the public to learn about the orange and black creatures up close—because handling them might be restricted. "Butterfly people don't want that to happen," said Carol Johnson. Johnson is another Schaumburg senior who will talk about monarchs to anyone who will listen. She is nicknamed the Butterfly Lady. "I have an 'on' button, but my 'off' button is sometimes broken," Johnson said. The 83-year-old was behind Illinois legislation to create Monarch Month. May is the perfect time for gardeners to add the butterfly's favorite plant to their arsenal, she said. Believe it or not, many cities and towns used to prohibit milkweed — with an emphasis on the "weed" suffix. A 2017 law banned such bans. It was Johnson who was responsible for getting mega-monarch volunteer Bruns hooked. She drummed up the idea of raising butterflies at the Schaumburg Park District. Thousands are released each year. "Carol Johnson is instrumental to the monarch butterfly," said Bruns. "She created the Schaumburg monarch initiative. She's put a lot of milkweed in parks." Seniors are shrinking a problem by growing the solution. "It just shows the power of old ladies!" said Johnson. Keep an eye out. Monarch butterflies are just starting to arrive in the Chicago area for the season.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
City dwellers encouraged to report monarch butterfly sightings
conservation environment 1:25 pm today Watching a monarch caterpillar strip a swan plant can be one of those lasting memories from childhood. But now people are being urged to report sightings of live monarch butterflies as experts sound the alarm over their declining numbers - especially in cities. Over winter they survive by gathering in clusters on tall trees or in urban green spaces but there's been a noticeable drop off in those habitats. Jacqui Knight from the Moths and Butterflies Trust spoke to Jesse.
CBS News
24-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Yuba County first graders plant milkweed to help monarch butterflies return
OREGON HOUSE – First graders in the Yuba County community of Oregon House are planting hope for monarch butterflies, one milkweed at a time. These first-grade students at Yes Charter Academy have created a certified monarch waystation, and now they're installing their official sign. The Yuba Environmental Science Charter Academy is all about hands-on projects. Their latest effort includes helping protect the monarch butterfly. "Each grade has a theme and the first grade is endangered pollinators," said Constance Murtaugh, a first-grade teacher at Yes. "The focus is the monarch butterfly. First, we studied the butterfly, its lifecycle. We grow pollinator plants." After seeing success in a garden bed on campus with milkweed plants, the students expanded their work by planting 500 more plants on a five-acre plot nearby with help from the community. "The monarch butterfly is dependent on every part of their life on the milkweed plant; without milkweed, there's no monarch," Murtaugh said. "They lay their eggs under the leaves and when they hatch and the worms come out, they feed on the leaf," said Juan Jose Domingo, the school's farmer. Domingo said the plants will continue to grow, making it an attractive place for migrating monarchs to lay eggs. The kids will get to see the fruits of their labor from start to finish. "They like the idea of helping the planet and they like the idea of saving something. They're empowered to do something to help," Murtaugh said. "Then, when they found out that a news team was coming out to see their work, they were super excited," said Principal Louise Miller. "This shows them that their work matters." Now the school is recognized as a certified monarch waystation by During planting day, teachers said they were impressed by how hard the students worked, even in the rain. "They fall in love with nature and that makes them want to protect and be stewards of nature, so we want to get students outdoors as much as possible," Miller said. "It's a fantastic process and we are trying to help the environment. We all do a little bit, we'll make it happen and help them grow," Domingo said. Roughly 90% of monarch habitats are in agricultural landscapes, and farming can really impact their numbers. Planting the native milkweed plant in a place like Yuba County can help make a difference. "If we plant what they need, if we support their habitat, if we enlarge their habitat, we believe the monarchs will come back," Miller said. The students hope to see thriving monarch butterflies come next spring This was in partnership with California Conservation Corps, the Yuba County Resource Conservation District, and the Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council.
