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An
Opportunity to Help the Monarch Butterfly
Most of you may have seen or read that pollinator populations
across the country are in decline, including the Monarch Butterfly. A
reduction in the number of milkweed plants in Ohio and surrounding
states and a loss of wintering habitat due to logging, weather and
human encroachment have contributed to the population decline of the
Monarch Butterfly.
There are ways that we can help, even in Darke County. Starting on
September 1st through October 31st, the Darke Soil & Water
Conservation District (SWCD) will be collecting seed pods from the
Common Milkweed plant. The Monarch relies on the milkweed plant as a
host plant, to lay eggs and as a food source. Whether as an individual,
or a group, you can make a difference in the Monarch Butterfly
population by collecting these seed pods once they have matured and
have turned a greenish-yellow or yellowish-brown and ready to burst
open. Once collected, the seed pods will be sent away to be dried and
cleaned. A portion of the seed will be sent back to Darke County to be
incorporated with other seed mixes that will be planted for pollinator
species.
If you would like to help, please call the Darke SWCD office at
937.548.1752, visit our website www.darkeswcd.com, or follow us on
Facebook or Twitter to find out where the seed pods can be dropped off.
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