As the Summer of CHANJ drifts ever-so-slightly into pumpkin spice season, we want to highlight just one more animal that depends on habitat connectivity – the Monarch.
Monarchs have a truly incredible life history, including a nearly 3,000-mile fall migration from their summer habitats in the northeastern U.S. and Canada to their overwintering grounds in central Mexico...as well as a return trip in the spring! That’s an unfathomable number of wingbeats for such small, feather-light creatures.
It requires a lot of energy, too, and for Monarchs, the fuel is from nectar. Having a connected enough network of “wildflower waystations” - places for butterflies to feed and rest - is essential to Monarchs as they hopscotch along their epic journey. But as meadow habitats have diminished over time, so have Monarch populations...to the point that they now rank as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New Jersey and across the northeast region. They’re also a candidate for federal Endangered Species Act protection.
We can all help Monarchs by creating more meadow habitat (sometimes as easy as mowing a bit less lawn!) and adding in native milkweed host plants that caterpillars depend on, as well as wildflower species that bloom and provide nectar at different times of year, including late summer and fall.
With the fall Monarch migration happening right now, please use our NJ Wildlife Tracker app to report your sightings! Areas where the butterflies are seen nectaring on flowers or roosting overnight are important to document to help conserve these iconic insects.
