Many gardeners ask us what they can do to attract butterflies to their gardens, so we’ve compiled some articles and resources to help shed light on the long-term decline of Monarch butterflies and to make you aware of conservation efforts underway to help bring their numbers back.

Tips:

  1. Plant Milkweed. This flowering native plays a critical role in the Monarch’s life cycle as the caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves.
  2. Avoid using pesticides. Studies suggest that a holistic approach may be needed for Monarch conservation as toxic chemicals may be a contributing factor in their decline.

Articles

What we can do to help the Monarch Butterfly survive, Gardenista

Grassland Restoration: Monarch Butterfly, Fishers Island Conservancy

Monarch butterflies might soar again—with a little help from their friends, Connecticut Magazine

Resources

Connecticut Native Milkweed Species

Common Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias syriaca)
Park Seed

Milkweed for Monarchs
National Wildlife Federation

Monarch Joint Venture
Partnering to conserve the monarch butterfly migration