It’s all hands on deck in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as we rally for a future filled with monarch butterflies and we’re pleased that so many partners in Illinois are right there with us. Take a moment to learn about how we’re working with the Monarch Coalition near Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.
On Sunday, August 11, 2024, more than 700 community members came out to show their support for monarch conservation and to learn about how they can make a difference in their own neighborhoods. The best part is that they had fun doing it too! With interactive activities, information about growing monarch pocket gardens and live music, this free event was the perfect way to rally behind monarchs. Acting Assistant Regional Director Carl Millegan and folks from across the region were on hand to mark the occasion, now in its ninth year.
“We’re proud members of the Monarch Coalition! It was great getting to see everyone who’s been working so hard for almost a decade on this fun event,” said Millegan. “I’d like to thank President Steve Byers and everyone with the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge for their constant support.”
In addition to all the fun activities, community leaders were welcomed to add to the newly revitalized monarch pocket garden that’s within the Crystal Lake Park District. First created in 2018 as an Eagle Scout project by Paul H. Joswiak from Troop 158, First United Methodist Church, this pollinator gem boasts swamp milkweed, New England aster, marsh blazingstar, cardinal flower and a host of other native plants.
With a single flap of fragile, feather-light wings, the monarch butterfly embarks on a 3,000-mile journey of endurance starting in the midwest of America’s Heartland. Facing many challenges including loss of habitat and anthropogenic climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change , their persistence is an extraordinary phenomenon worthy of exploration, understanding and protection. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners with local landowners, states, Tribes, federal agencies, industries, academia and non-profit organizations to conserve or improve habitats for monarch butterflies.
Join us in conversing America’s iconic pollinator – the monarch butterfly. Everyone, everywhere can help monarchs. Simple actions like planting flowers native to your area, using nature-friendly products in your yard or garden, telling others to help monarchs/pollinators.
Learn more about how you can help!
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