Why are Monarch waystations important?
The monarch butterfly population has dropped more than 80% across North America over the last two decades. Through the Barrington Area Conservation Trust’s increase in monarch habitat on our preserves, as well as waystations at churches, schools, villages, parks and at resident’s homes in our community, we are beginning to create a monarch habitat corridor to help this vital pollinator species.
Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration to Mexico.
By planting milkweed – the host plants for monarch caterpillars – and nectar plants for adult monarchs and other pollinators, you can help maintain the monarch migration and sustain the pollinators whose pollinating services maintain our ecosystems.
Monarch Waystations are gardens that are at least 100 square feet and receive at least 6 hours or more of sunlight. Without milkweed throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers, these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world.
To date, a total of 55 monarch waystations have been installed at non-profit organizations as well as resident yards throughout the Barrington area.