MINNEAPOLIS — Hundreds of people flocked to Lake Nokomis Park on Saturday to enjoy music, food and dancing in celebration of one of the world’s most spectacular insect migrations.
But amid all the festivities, many monarch lovers are making a disturbing observation.
“It seems like people are seeing fewer and fewer monarch butterflies than they used to,” said Wendy Caldwell, director of Monarch Joint Venture.
Monarch Joint Venture is a national nonprofit organization based in St. Paul dedicated to the conservation of monarch butterflies and pollinators.
“Everyone connects with them and I think that’s what makes them really special,” said Katie Puffer, Education Manager at Monarch Joint Venture.
Every winter, the monarch population in Mexico is counted. Earlier this year, a World Wildlife Fund study found that the monarch population had declined by nearly 60 percent in just one year.
Although the decline in monarch butterfly numbers dates back to the mid-1990s, Puffer said the low monarch butterfly numbers only became alarming a little over a decade ago.
“Even people who are not involved in monarch butterfly conservation are noticing that there are fewer monarch butterflies than when they were kids, or when their kids were kids,” Puffer said.
The two said climate change is a factor in the decline of monarch butterflies. Monarch butterflies depend on well-timed resources, meaning they need the right plants and temperatures at the right time.
“If that becomes less consistent and less predictable, it could have major implications for how the population reproduces,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell and Puffer said you can help by planting milk thistle, the only host plant for monarch butterflies. Plantin nectar plants also help.
The two say that simply spreading the message can make a big difference.
“Use your voice to share your knowledge, not only with your community, but also with your elected officials,” Puffer said.
