On July 21, the International Union for Conservation of Nature shared that they added the migratory monarch butterfly to its Red List of Threatened Species as endangered.
Here in Hopewell Valley, there are plenty of meadows where you can see monarchs because local conservation groups and community activists have been aware of looming crisis and have encouraged public and private land owners to plant native wildflowers.
Even so, we can and should do much more. Native milkweed is the sole food source for monarchs.
FoHVOS has planted milkweeds at its open space preserves, helped every HVRSD school plant native milkweed in their gardens, and offer Valley locals a biannual opportunity to purchase native plants at wholesale prices.
I am dedicating the rest of this column to sharing the natural beauty of birds, bees, and butterflies enjoying the presence native wildflowers. Elementary school teacher and Pennington resident Kate Dunham took all of the photos shown at FoHVOS’ Skyview and Thompson/Marshall’s Corner preserves and on Baldpate Mountain.
