Adding Conservation Education Value to New York City Community Gardens.

New York City conservation organizations gathered in Spring 2003 with the purpose of implementing a program to create and support Butterfly Conservation Areas in community gardens of the city. Butterflies moving through New York City face a fragmented and highly urbanized landscape with few nectar-feeding opportunities. Adding native nectar providing plants to community gardens may provide important food sources for butterflies and other beneficial insects. Butterfly Conservation Areas serve an educational role, helping gardeners and garden visitors learn about the importance of butterflies and other beneficial pollinator insects such as bees and stingless wasps.

MONARCH BUTTERFLIES LIVE IN THE BRONX

The Monarch butterfly is undoubtedly the most recognized butterfly in the United States. They range from southern Canada to the mountains of central Mexico, from California to the east coast, and all points in between. The Monarch is as abundant, as it is wide spread. Aside from just being downright beautiful, the Monarch is unique in many different ways. What separates them from all other butterflies is they are the only one to migrate south in the winter... thanks to their preference for temperatures of 60 degrees or above. When summer is ending and the days start to become cooler, the Monarch instinctively knows it is time to begin the journey south. ÊIncredibly, some travel up to 2,000 miles over a 2 month span. The butterflies from east of the Rocky Mountains head to a 30x50 mile patch of forest in the mountains of south-central Mexico. The butterflies west of the Rockies winter in southern California. The only exception to this is southern California, southern Florida and Hawaii, where they can be found year-round. During the migration, Monarchs gather in large roosts, usually on large trees in wooded areas. Once at their destination, they semi-hibernate, living off fat reserves until it is time to return home in the spring. Then, sometime in February, as the spring season begins, they begin their way north again. During and after their long journey north, the female Monarch lays her eggs, usually on the underside leaves, of a plant called Milkweed.

MILKWEED PLANT

Did you know that...

• Sap from milkweed was used by pioneers as a cure for warts?

• The airborne fluffy parachute of the seed was used by Native Americans to insulate moccasins?

• The dried empty seed pods were used as Christmas tree decorations by early pioneers?

• The boys and girls from Wisconsin schools collected 283,000 bags of milkweed fluff for use in military life jackets during World War II?

• It is used as an indicator of ground-level ozone air pollution? Find out how to conduct a milkweed check-up to check for signs of pollution

MONARCH BUTTERFLY MIGRATION TO MEXICO

The awesome sight of hundreds of monarch butterflies flying across a vast expanse of land inspires a feeling of wonder in all who are lucky enough to see such a beautiful sight. However many do not know the ordeal that these creatures must undergo during their life span. The migration cycle of the monarch presents numerous obstacles in which many lose their lives.