It appears the Monarch species has made small advances in the past two years, with more being seen laying eggs and nectaring throughout the tall grassy fields of Geauga County. Plan to join Geauga Park District in celebrating this news – and maybe seeing some results for yourself – by attending one of the parks’ popular annual Monarch tagging programs!
First, on Sunday, Sept. 13, join us for Monarchs and Meadow Insects from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at Frohring Meadows, 16780 Savage Road in Bainbridge Twp.
There, we’ll net and tag Monarchs, along with catching and viewing a variety of butterflies, grasshoppers, praying mantises, katydids, beetles and other insects, and play an exciting “life-sized board game” dramatizing the hazards of the monarch’s amazing journey.
Next, on Sunday, Sept. 20, come out for a Monarch Discovery Hike from 2 to 4 p.m. at Orchard Hills Park, 11340 Caves Road in Chester Township.
There, we’ll also net and tag Monarchs, as well as learn some amazing facts about the butterflies and hike about a mile and a half of the beautiful Orchard Hills trails.
Registration is not required for either program – just show up! Nets will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own, as well as sun block, a hat, long pants and water.
Where have all the Monarchs gone?
The first factor has been loss of habitat, both in the U.S. and in Mexico. Corn and soybean productions is skyrocketing for biofuels, and seeds are genetically modified to tolerate herbicides, minimizing milkweed-containing fields. Also, consider more aggressive mowing and herbiciding of roadsides, and 2.2 million acres of development a year.
Second to the loss of their habitat is the year’s unusual weather. March was the warmest since recording began in 1895, drawing Monarchs north prematurely. Then, summer was among the hottest and driest in recent decades – reducing lifespan.
What can we do? Plant milkweed, on which Monarch larvae appear to feed exclusively. You can learn more about this plant and how we can all help the Monarch population regenerate by clicking here.
Also, both of these programs, through our tagging, will help Monarch Watch with its study of the Monarch’s cross-continental migration, which allows us to observe the success of all our efforts each year.
This article is brought to you by Geauga Park District
