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Missourians for Monarchs

Preserve & Create Habitat for Monarchs and Pollinators

The Eastern Monarch Population Further Declines 59% from 2023

2023-2024 Overwintering population declined another 59% since last year. This year’s eastern monarch population occupied only 0.9 hectares (2.2 acres) at their overwintering site. This is the second lowest number counted since monarch populations began being monitored more than 30 years ago – the lowest was 0.67 ha during the 2013–2014 overwintering season.
View World Wildlife Fund’s official article here.
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MDC Partners with Bayer to Support Pollinator Education Efforts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Sept. 20, 2022 – Pollinators play a critical role in the production of most fruits and vegetables, and a great way to support them is by planting native plants. Bayer is helping the cause by giving away free native-plant seed packets through a new partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

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Missourians for Monarchs

4 weeks ago

Missourians for Monarchs
Species Spotlight - "Pipevine Swallowtail"Habitat• Pipevine swallowtails habitat is diverse, from woodlands, forests, open fields, roadsides, and streamsides.Host Plant• The Pipevine Swallowtail is named for its host plant, the pipevine (Aristolochia spp.), which is toxic to its predators, but not its larvae.• A native host plant species found in Missouri is Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa). Life Cycle• Pipevine Swallowtails lay their eggs on the stems or leaves of the pipevine plant.• Larvae ingest the toxic chemicals of its host plant which acta as a defense against predators.• They over-winter in their chrysalis, emerging the following spring when the temperature warms, signaling the air is warm enough for their flight muscles to work.Bonus Fact• Four butterflies in Missouri use “mimicry” of the Pipevine Swallowtail as a defense mechanism: Red-Spotted Purple, Black Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, and the dark form of the (female) Tiger Swallowtail. These butterflies are not toxic to predators, but based on appearance, the predators assume they are. ... See MoreSee Less

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Missourians for Monarchs

1 month ago

Missourians for Monarchs
Quote of the Week"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the [native] seeds that you sow." - Robert Louis Stevenson ... See MoreSee Less

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Missourians for Monarchs

1 month ago

Missourians for Monarchs
Species Spotlight | "Regal Fritillary"Status• Regal fritillary (Western subspecies) is currently a “Proposed Species” by USFWS for being listed as “Threatened” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.Habitat• Regal fritillary butterflies live in tall-grass prairie and other open and sunny locations such as damp meadows, marshes, and wet fields.Host Plant• Violets are the sole larval host plant, although regal fritillaries will use various species of violets, including Missouri’s native violets: birdfoot violet (Viola pedata) and prairie/larkspur violet (Viola pedatifida).Bonus Facts• Males have orange spots on their top-hindwings; whereas, females have white spots. (See Images 2-3)• Regal Fritillary overwinter locally in the organic layers of soil and detritus.Photo CreditsMain Image | Madison Ferner/Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans AffairsImage 2 (Female) | Pennsylvania Army National GuardImage 3 (Male) | Donna Brunet, Missouri Department of Conservation ... See MoreSee Less

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Missourians for Monarchs

1 month ago

Missourians for Monarchs
Get a head-start on your Spring plantings by scattering native wildflower seeds now!It's a great time to mimic nature by simply dropping seeds on top of snow and allowing them to naturally work their way into contact with the soil below...the same way birds and winds help "sow" our native seeds throughout the winter months. Photo Credit: Nancy Brandt ... See MoreSee Less

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Missourians for Monarchs

1 month ago

Missourians for Monarchs
𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟒: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐏𝐅 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦The Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) Prairie Garden Grants Program is accepting applications for 2025 grant awards until January 24, 2025. Gardening and other conservation groups, parks, schools, and other entities in Missouri and immediately surrounding states are invited to submit proposals to MPF’s Prairie Garden Grants Program. In 2025, MPF would like to award several grants to help fund the establishment or improvement of prairie gardens or plantings using Midwest native plants. Grants will not exceed $800 each. Those with smaller projects are encouraged to apply as well. Matching funds are not required, but proposals with secured matching funds may be evaluated higher than others.Funding will be dispersed in February. See more details on the grant and access the application form here: ow.ly/ywLo50Uc8NB𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑜ℎ𝑙𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛, 𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑛 𝑀𝑃𝐹 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 2023, 𝑏𝑦 𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑘𝑒 ... See MoreSee Less

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Missourians for Monarchs

Missourians for Monarchs
Welcome to the online training video series for the Missourians for Monarchs milkweed density monitoring protocol. This is the first video in the 4-part volunteer training series. In this presentation, we will review three different procedures to monitor milkweed. Register to Volunteer: https://moformonarchs.org/volunteer-portal/
Volunteer Training Video 1: Milkweed Density Monitoring Protocol
This video will review How to enter Milkweed Density Data for Missourians for Monarchs via online form. This process is completed after you've performed the Milkweed Density Monitoring Protocol for your designated Site Location. If you haven't already done so and are interested in volunteering with Missourians for Monarchs, you can register to Volunteer at: https://moformonarchs.org/volunteer-portal/ If you haven't already done so, please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel by clicking the Subscribe button.
Volunteer Training Video 2: How to Enter Milkweed Density Field Data Online
Welcome to the online training video series for the Missourians for Monarchs "Milkweed Density Monitoring Protocol." This video will review How to Create a User Account. Creation of a user account serves two purposes: 1) Indicates to Missourians for Monarchs staff you're committed to participating in the Milkweed Density Monitoring program for a designated site location. 2) User Account will provide the necessary access to enter your field data online. If you haven't already done so and are interested in volunteering with Missourians for Monarchs, you can register to Volunteer at: https://moformonarchs.org/volunteer-portal/ If you haven't already done so, please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel by clicking the Subscribe button.
How to Create User Account
Useful information when trying to establish habitat in potentially challenging locations, such as, row crops, slopes, or clay-pan soils Copyrighted University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources
Establishing Pollinator Habitats in Challenging Locations
3:30- The Importance of Community Restoration- Mary Nemecek, Vice President, Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City 23:20- Engaging Underserved Communities to Establish Pollinator Habitat- Kirstin Underwood, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Coastal Program 46:10- How Communities Can Participate in Monitoring Efforts- Dr. Timothy Fredricks, Environmental Engagement Manager, Bayer U.S. & Elizabeth Egan, Communications Coordinator, Missourians for Monarchs 1:00:00- The National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge- Patrick Fitzgerald, Senior Director of Community Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation 1:24:30- Open Q&A with Experts https://moformonarchs.org/municipalities-building-monarch-communities/
Municipalities Building Monarch Communities Webinar
Welcome to the online training video series for the milkweed density monitoring protocol. This is the 4th video in the 4 part training series. In this presentation, we will discuss monarch butterflies biology, population status, and habitat needs. If you are a milkweed monitoring volunteer, this is your 4th and last video. Register to Volunteer: https://moformonarchs.org/volunteer-portal/ Sources: Missourians for Monarchs: https://moformonarchs.org/ Missourians for Monarchs Members: https://moformonarchs.org/members/ Monarch Populations: https://monarchwatch.org/blog/2021/02/25/monarch-population-status-45/ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Listing Decision: https://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/SSA.html Grow Native! Landscape Plans: https://grownative.org/learn/native-landscape-plans/ Xerces Society Native Pollinator Plants Table: https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/17-050_03_XercesSoc_PollinatorPlants_Midwest-Region_web-3page.pdf Grow Native! Resource Guide: https://grownative.org/resource-guide/ Technical Assistance: https://moformonarchs.org/find-an-expert/ Best Management Practices: https://moformonarchs.org/downloads/ Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas: https://www.mobumblebeeatlas.org/ Journey North: https://journeynorth.org/ Monarch Joint Venture: https://monarchjointventure.org/ Master Pollinator Steward: https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/master-pollinator-steward
Volunteer Training Video 4: Monarch Biology, Status, and Habitat
Welcome to the online training video series for the Missourians for Monarchs milkweed density monitoring protocol. This is the third video in the 4-part volunteer training series. In this presentation, we will review how to identify native Missouri milkweed species. Register to Volunteer: https://moformonarchs.org/volunteer-portal/
Volunteer Training Video 3: Milkweed Identification
Learn the basics of what pollination is, who pollinators are, and how you can sustain pollinators in your area! Helpful Links: Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever in Missouri https://missouripfqf.org/ Missourians for Monarchs https://moformonarchs.org/ Missouri Prairie Foundation https://moprairie.org/ Pollinator Partnership https://www.pollinator.org/ Xerces Society https://xerces.org/ Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas  https://www.mobumblebeeatlas.org/     Journey North   https://journeynorth.org/monarchs    Monarch Joint Venture https://monarchjointventure.org/ Grow Native!: Resource Guide https://grownative.org/resource-guide/    Missouri Department of Conservation: Private Land Conservationists    https://mdc.mo.gov/regional-contacts   Deep Roots KC   https://deeprootskc.org/   NRCS- Missouri Programs https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/mo/programs/ USFWS Partners for Fish & Wildlife  https://www.fws.gov/partners/   Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund  https://www.beeandbutterflyfund.org/seed-a-legacy-program.html   Free online Landscape Calculator  https://www.landscapecalculator.com/
Pollinators 101 Webinar 2.11.2021 Presented by Missourians for Monarchs and PFQF- Missouri
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