Im sitting here thinking about Monarchville and all that has transpired over the last 10 months. It amazes me that its only been 10 months since Bob Cotner, now M.O.M. (Mayor of Monarchville) came out of his house last February while I was tending to his yard and asked me if I could grow milkweed. Sure! Its a weed. From that point on it became an adventure in learning as we went along the Monarch path. We bought milkweed, we planted milkweed, we started milkweed from seed, and rooted some from cuttings. I remember the joy we experienced when we found eggs on the plants, and 1st instar caterpillars. We didnt know what an instar was back then, but we know now. From there we experienced feeding, housing and caring for, plants, eggs, caterpillars, and Monarch beauties. We got to witness first hand as the caterpillars pupated into the chrysalides, and the Monarch eclosings. We didnt stop there because Bob wanted to share milkweed and knowledge, so we gifted plants, seeds, caterpillars, and chrysalides to individuals, fundraisers, schools and educators. We created Monarchville ~ Grover Beach. We wanted to know more about the Monarchs, so we contacted Cal Poly Professor Francis Villablanca and started tagging our Monarchs. 113 of ours were tagged. We found out about a spore that only attaches to Monarchs, so we did some testing for OE and gave about 20 chrysalides for research to Cal Poly. We wish them well in their studies for the future of Monarchs. We learned that there is a flyway that lacks milkweed...Fresno, Bakersfield and others places to the east of us. This is the migration flyway, so we want to reach out to Monarch friends in this area. In the next season we are gearing down Monarchville. Bob will have a Monarch welcoming yard with milkweed and nectar flowers. We will have plants available and will continue to educated people we meet about the wonder of the Monarch butterfly. We will let nature do what it does so well with the habitat we have provided for the Monarch. Bob has also become a volunteer at the Pismo Beach Monarch Grove where he will continue to pass on the need for the flyways to have milkweed. One person can make a difference. Thank you Bob. 2014 was amazing! Our total for Monarchville Monarchs released was 170. Thank you all for being part of Monarchville! Let us know how your journey continues. (pats heart, and points to the Monarch)
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:34:59 +0000
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