MONARCH FRIENDLY habitat - David Suzuki Foundation

Transcription

A Guide to Creating
MONARCH
FRIENDLY
habitat
A GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS AND GARDENERS
Table of Contents
How to Use This Guide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
An Incredible Journey : The Monarch Butterfly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Lifecycle and Biology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Monarch Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Collecting and Rearing Monarch Butterflies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Monarchs under Threat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 1 – Choose and Assess Your Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 2 – Create Your Plant List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 3 – Sketch/Map Your Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 4 – Create a Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Step 5 – Plan for Ongoing Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Step 6 – Implement Your Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Simple Steps for Choosing and Assessing a Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Location, Location, Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Site Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Native Plants for Monarch Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Milkweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-18
18-19
Nectar Plants for Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preparing Your Beds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Planting Your Beds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
Ten Tips for a Successful Monarch Friendly Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Maintenance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Appendix 1. Site Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Appendix 2. Plant List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Appendix 3. Monarch Habitat Sketch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27
Appendix 4. Sample Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Appendix 5. Garden Maintenance Task Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-30
Appendix 6. Habitat Project Implementation Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Guide to Creating Monarch Friendly Habitat
31-33
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How to Use this guide
In southern Canada, the arrival of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has been a sure
sign that summer is around the corner. Unfortunately, this migration phenomenon is under
threat. Significant population decline has meant fewer sightings of this iconic butterfly along
roadsides, fields, in parks, and in gardens (Nature Canada, 2013). This guide is intended for use
by educators, naturalists, and butterfly enthusiasts who wish to help create natural habitat
corridors for monarchs throughout their migration route and summer range.
This guide provides information on biology and lifecycle of the monarch butterfly, suggestions
and tips on native plant gardening, and information about habitat requirements specific
to monarchs. While our goal is to bring back the monarch butterfly, following the steps in
this guide will help encourage biodiversity. As you add wildflower habitat, expect to see
an increase in other species of pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds, and native bees,
along with birds and other wildlife.
An Incredible Journey: The Monarch Butterfly
Lifecycle and Biology
The monarch butterfly goes through a process called complete metamorphosis1. The juvenile (caterpillar) is very different from the adult (butterfly). In this section we will explore the
monarch lifecycle from egg to adult.
Egg
Each female lays several hundred eggs. Monarch eggs are usually laid individually on the
underside of the leaves of the host plant, milkweed. Each egg is whitish in color, about the
size of a pin-head, ridged, and similar in shape to a football.
This section of the guide book was adapted from Journeys: Learning Activities from the Monarch Teacher Network, a publication by Monarch Teacher Network (www.MonarchTeacherNetwork.org)
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A Guide to Creating Monarch Friendly Habitat
The eggs hatch about 3-5 days after being laid. In the final day before the egg hatches, the
top of the egg turns dark. When a monarch caterpillar first emerges, it often turns around
and eats the egg shell for its first meal.
Larvae (Caterpillar)
The chief purpose of the caterpillar stage is to
eat, eat, and eat some more, storing away the
energy that the adult butterfly will need later.
In order to store up energy, this caterpillar only
consumes plants from the milkweed family.
Though it may not be obvious at first, the
caterpillar has three distinct body parts: head,
thorax and abdomen.
Caterpillar Anatomy
tentacles
thorax
12 3 1
abdomen
23
456 7 8
9-11
(fused)
head
true
legs
spiracles
prolegs
Monarch caterpillars shed their skins five times as they grow, and each stage (instar)
between molts, can have strikingly different markings and patterns from the previous one.
Generally, monarchs are caterpillars for eight to fourteen days under normal summer temperatures, but this can range up to 21 days in cool conditions.
Some tips for finding the “age” of your caterpillar
First instar
Second instar
Third instar
Fourth instar
Fifth instar “J”
1-4 days
1-3 days
1-3 days
2-5 days
3-6 days
Front tentacles Front tentacles Front tentacles Front tentacles Front tentacles
too small to
still too short
1 - 2 mm long
4 - 6 mm long
9-13 mm long
measure
to measure
Body length
2-6 mm
Body length
5-10 mm
Body almost
Yellow/black
transparent
striping of body
(no striping)
with black head
Body length
9-14 mm
Body length
13-25mm
Body length
24-64 mm
Striping clearly
visible, white
“socks” above
black “shoes”
noticeable
White, yellow
and black
stripes more
vivid; white
“socks” more
distinct
Stripes widen,
obvious white
“socks” diminish
and appear like
large dots
Pupa (Chrysalis)
The pupa or chrysalis stage normally lasts ten to fourteen
days. The wings, legs and other external features of the adult
butterfly can be seen on the outside of the developing pupa.
The function of the gold dots on monarch pupae is essentially
unknown, though there are several theories including light
reflection which helps camouflage the pupa. About one day
before the adult emerges, the green pupa changes color and
becomes a “dark pupa”: the black and orange wings of the
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adult can be seen as pigmentation is deposited in them.
It is possible to sex a monarch pupa. The female has a
vertical line in the segment below the paired dots next to
the cremaster. Males do not. You will probably need a
magnifying glass to see the difference.
With &
without
Adult
Male
The primary job of the adult monarch is to reproduce. Monarchs Female
first mate when they are at least three days old. When they mate, they generally remain
together from afternoon until early the next morning, a period of about 12-16 hours. Females begin laying eggs right after their first mating and both sexes will mate multiple times.
Summer monarchs live only about two to five weeks, but the final generation of late summer and early fall monarchs live up to nine months. These monarchs migrate to Mexico (or
coastal California for monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains) until springtime (late February/
early March) allows them to return to Texas and the Gulf Coast states and lay eggs on new
milkweed. Cool conditions in the overwintering sites slow their metabolism allowing them
to save energy and live longer.
When butterflies emerge, they are very fragile. Their wings are
crumpled and moist. The adult monarch does a somersault as it
emerges, then dangles from the empty chrysalis case. Over a
period of about 15 minutes the wings fully emerge and straighten as fluid from the swollen abdomen is pumped into them.
The proboscis, a soda straw-like tongue that the adult uses
to sip nectar from flowers, is actually in two pieces at
emergence. The adult rolls the two pieces out and back a number
of times until they zip together as one. When not in use, the
proboscis is curled up. It takes several hours for the wings to dry
completely. The adult spins slowly about to assist in the drying
process and begins to exercise its wings and flight muscles.
During this time the adults expels an orange fluid, meconium, that contains waste products
of the pupa stage. By mid to late afternoon the adults are more active and are ready to fly.
Monarchs should not be handled the first day unless absolutely necessary.
Monarchs have two pairs of wing sets which are covered with tiny scales that give the wings
color. Individual scales are usually a single color. In butterflies, wing scales contribute to
lift during flight, but not to drag, enabling them to glide for long periods. Scales also serve
for thermal regulation and for warning coloration: the orange and black wing scales warn
predators away, while the thorax is covered with long black scales that look like fur and
keep the flight muscles warm and ready for flight. Male and female monarchs can be easily
recognized. Males have a black spot on a vein of each hind wing. This is not present in the
female. The veins of the wings are also darker and thicker in females, and the ends of the
abdomens are shaped differently in males and females.
Adult monarchs feed on nectar from flowers. Nectar gives them the energy to reproduce,
and for migrating generations, fuels their epic journey.
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Monarch Migration
Each fall, many living things in Canada have the same problem: how to survive the
winter? Monarch butterflies of Eastern North America have a unique solution to the
problem of surviving sub-zero temperatures in Canada…fly 4,000 km to Mexico. It is
an epic journey that is one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world. It is the
longest known migration of any butterfly in the world (Bell et al., 1993).
In North America, there are three main monarch populations, each with their own
survival strategy. Monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains travel to small groves of trees
along the California coast in places like Pacific Grove and Monterey. Monarchs east of
the Rocky Mountains travel to the Transvolcanic Mountains in the Mexican state of
Michoacán. The third North American monarch population is in lowland Mexico and
Central America and is non-migratory because the milkweed is available all year round.
In addition to the main populations, it appears that a small group of monarchs live
year-round in Florida.
Fall Migration
Summer monarchs, generally those that emerge between
mid-June and mid-August, in eastern North America live
only two to five weeks. Their role is to build the population
as quickly as possible. They are biologically and behaviorally different from the adult monarchs that emerge at the
end of August through the end of September. The shorter
days, cooler nights and aging milkweed of late summer are
cues that signal to autumn monarchs that their journey south
will begin soon. These autumn monarchs are in reproductive
diapause: their reproductive organs are in a state of suspended development. They will not
mate and instead are interested in migration. They will mate the following spring after
spending the winter in Mexico.
Spring Migration
At winter’s end, monarchs change behavior and become
more active. By mid-February, increasing temperatures and
day length cause reproductive diapause to cease. Over a
three to five week period, monarchs begin to mate in large
numbers in preparation for the return migration. They
begin to migrate north during the middle of March. By the
end of March, the colonies have completely dispersed, flying north in search of milkweed on which to lay their eggs.
It is these survivors that produce the new generation. Their
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren re-colonize the northern states and
provinces later that spring in a relay race of generations. Depending on the length of
the growing season, there can be up to three or four generations of summer monarchs
before the cycle of migration begins again.
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Collecting and Rearing Monarch Butterflies
Many people grew up with the idea that the way to study “bugs” is to collect them, kill
them in a killing jar, and pin them in an insect collection. More and more people are
finding that this is not half as interesting or humane as observing insects in their natural
environment. Monarch caterpillars can be found just about anywhere that milkweed is found,
especially from May to August. Because of predation and parasitism, rearing a wild caterpillar
may save its life as it is estimated that there is only a 1% survival rate in the wild.
If you decide that you would like to collect and rear monarchs, it is important to make
sure that you follow regulations and behave ethically. Monarch Teacher Network of
Canada (MTN of C) offers a two-day workshop that provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to provide a positive and ethical experience raising
monarchs. Visit www.monarchteacher.ca to learn more.
Legislation and Regulation
In 1997, The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) listed
the monarch butterfly as a species of special concern. The monarch butterfly was subsequently added to the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) as a species of special concern. According
to COSEWIC, the status of the monarch butterfly could be upgraded to threatened in the near
future due to population decline in overwintering grounds in Mexico. The species is also listed
as a species of special concern in the Endangered Species Acts in Ontario, Saskatchewan and
British Columbia.
In Ontario and Saskatchewan, the collection and rearing
of monarch butterflies is a regulated activity. In Ontario,
anyone wishing to raise monarchs needs to obtain a
permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).
These permits are not generally awarded to individuals.
If you plan to raise monarchs, visit our website
www.monarchteacher.ca to find out more information
about our group permit. Please note that you must be
trained at our two-day workshop Teaching and Learning
with Monarch Butterflies in order to qualify for our permit.
In Saskatchewan, the Wildlife Act states that “[possession of monarchs is permitted if ] the
person, is, or acts on behalf of, a museum, zoo, educational institution, scientific society
or government and the person acquired [the monarch] from a person who was entitled
to possess it pursuant to this subsection.” If you are uncertain whether your monarch
raising activities are permitted under current legislation, contact your local branch of the
Saskatchewan Ministry on Environment.
Many municipalities also have by-laws prohibiting the collection of wildlife and plant
species in local parks. This could mean that the collection of eggs, caterpillars, and/or milkweed is prohibited in municipal parks in your area. Before collecting any species in a local
park or natural area, make sure you know your local bylaws and/or have permission.
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Discovering Overwintering Sites: Tagging
Until the 1970s, nobody in Canada knew where monarchs
overwintered. It was generally thought that they migrated,
but to where, no one knew.
Dr. Fred Urquhart, a professor at the University of Toronto,
started tagging monarchs in 1937 to try to answer the
question; “where do monarchs go in the winter?” It took
Dr. Urquhart, his wife Norah, and many volunteers nearly
40 years, but they finally discovered the monarchs’ overwintering site. It was over 4000 kms from Canada in the
Transvolcanic Mountain range in the state of Michoacán Mexico (Monarch Teacher Network, 2011).
The local people in Mexico had been celebrating the return of the monarchs for generations.
However, they wondered where the monarchs went in the summer, just as Dr. Urquhart
wondered where they went in the winter. Tagging had solved the mystery for everyone.
Dr. Urquhart and his wife Norah used an “over the wing” tagging method that involved
rubbing off some scales of the forewing and pasting a label over the leading edge of the
wing. In 1992, the Monarch Watch program from the University of Kansas developed the
more user-friendly sticky dot method that we now use. For more information on tagging
or to order tags, contact Monarch Watch at www.monarchwatch.org.
TIPS & TRICKS | Be Careful What You Model!
If you decide to tag with a group, you want the participants to have
MORE respect for living things, not less! Tagging monarchs implies
it’s okay to grab and hold monarchs. Emphasize that butterflies are
fragile and you should only handle them when you need to, for as
long as you need to. Handling should be kept to a minimum and
done carefully.
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Monarchs Under Threat
The monarch faces threats throughout its range. These threats have caused monarchs to be
listed on Canadian species at risk acts. They have also resulted in a North American management
plan for the monarch butterfly. The following threats to the monarch population have
been identified by the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC, 2011).
In Canada and the United States threats include:
• The use of pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides, when applied broadly, kill both adult
butterflies and caterpillars. In many areas milkweed is considered a noxious weed and
herbicides are used to kill it, destroying monarch habitat in the process.
• The loss of native plant species.
• The propagation of non-native plant species and the escape of these species into natural areas.
• Development, particularly urban sprawl, where large areas of land are stripped of
vegetation to create new housing areas.
• Damage to milkweed from ground-level ozone pollution (smog).
•Drought.
In Mexico the threats include:
• Deforestation of the Oyamel fir forests where the eastern population of monarchs over winter, for housing, agriculture and sustenance.
• Illegal logging. Besides destroying habitat, logging activities have also caused monarch
populations to break up early, exposing them to late frosts in Canada and the United States.
What can I do?
The following section provides information
on how to create habitat for monarch butterflies. By providing quality habitat throughout
the monarch’s range, we can slowly start to
address these threats.
Additional ways to help include:
• Educate others about the threats to
monarch butterflies.
• Advocate for monarch habitat in your area.
• Use native plants in your garden.
• Donate to monarch conservation.
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GETTING STARTED
Building Monarch Friendly Habitat – Milkweed and More
If you are ready to start a monarch butterfly habitat project, it’s important to start with a
plan. Careful planning will give your project the best chance for success. The following
section provides a step-by-step guide to planning and implementing your project. Record
as many details as possible to have good documentation of your project.
Step 1 ~ Choose and Assess Your Site
The first step in creating a monarch habitat project
is to choose the site. The location and conditions of
your site will influence the type and size of your project
and the materials that you use. The best locations for
monarch habitat are areas that receive full sun for
most of the day. For more information on choosing a
site and assessing the conditions (sunlight, moisture
and soil), visit page 13.
By failing
to prepare, you are
preparing to fail.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Step 2 ~ Create Your Plant List
Once you’ve selected and assessed your site, use this information to create a plant list.
You will need to ensure that you’ve included milkweed species (page 16) and a variety of
nectar plants (page 19). For additional support with species selection, consult your local
native plant grower and/or the references section at the back of this guide.
It is important that you keep track of the plant species in your garden. This will help you
identify weeds, and allow you to document which plants have not survived. Once you’ve
selected your species, record them in your plant list (Appendix 2).
Step 3 ~ Sketch/Map Your Habitat
For monarch habitat projects in shared spaces such as school yards, community centres
or parks, it’s important to make a record of the original garden design. See Appendix 3
for a sample sketch and a blank grid to record your design.
When creating your plan, for most beginners, it’s best to start with a small garden, then
add to it over time if you wish. Think about whether you would like to choose a ground
level garden or build raised garden beds – raised gardens provide easy access, better
water drainage, better soil (less compaction), have fewer problems with trampling and
usually less weed problems, but the initial startup costs are higher and they are not
appropriate for large restoration projects. Think about adding in rock features or benches
for sitting, a mulch path to invite people into garden and signs to label plants and
increase the profile of your garden.
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Step 4 ~ Create a Budget
Before you go any further on your project, you probably want to draft a simple budget.
This will help you decide on the scale of your project based on the funds that you have
available and will help you determine whether you need to do any fundraising. To get
started, fill out the sample budget in Appendix 4. Based on your budget and the size of
your project, you may only need to purchase a few of these items or you may need to
create your own spreadsheet if you are planning a larger project. Creating a budget is a
great exercise if you anticipate applying for grants, because most granting organizations
will ask for one.
TIPS & TRICKS | Off-setting Costs
• Talk to your local hardware store about donating tools.
• Contact your local municipality or hydro company about mulch donations.
• Ask your local community for plant donations, but be careful not to
accept any invasive species.
• Apply for funding. See the resources section for a list of potential funders.
Step 5 ~ Plan for Ongoing Maintenance
Before you create your monarch friendly habitat, it’s important to make a plan to
maintain it. This will help you decide on the scale and complexity of your project. If
you have only a very small group, start small. If you have a larger group with a lot of
expertise, you might be able to take on a larger project. Regardless of the size of your
project, it’s important to engage your grounds/maintenance staff during the planning
stage of your project. They will be an excellent resource for your project, and definitely
need to be engaged.
Step 6 ~ Implement Your Project
Now that you have a plan, it’s time to get started. This is the fun and exciting part of
the project! If possible, make an event out of your planting day by inviting members of
the community and the local media. For school projects, get parents involved. If you’ve
received donations, invite donors to participate in your planting day. See Appendix 6
for a checklist to get you started.
Most importantly, don’t forget to keep MTN of Canada updated on your progress. We
love to receive stories and photos from our members!
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Simple Steps for Choosing and Assessing a Location
Location, Location, Location
If your site is on public property or on a schoolyard, be sure to obtain proper permission
before you go any further. You should also look at long term plans for the site (eg. future
portable locations) to ensure that there are no conflicts between your project and future
plans. There is nothing more frustrating than having a plan in place, or a project in the
ground, and finding out you cannot proceed or your project will be removed.
If possible, find a location that borders a tree line to provide protection from weather
and predators. Consider a site that is away from busy streets and high foot traffic areas
as these will be the most successful in attracting monarchs. It’s okay if you don’t have the
perfect site; just choose the best site available to you.
Other important considerations when choosing a location:
• Is there an available water source?
• What are the prevailing winds? A windbreak may be needed to keep butterflies on course.
• Is it accessible to those with mobility challenges?
• Is the location visible to the local community? This may increase buy-in and
decrease vandalism.
Site Conditions
Once you’ve chosen your location the next step in planning your project is to assess the
site conditions and record them in Appendix 1. The site conditions will help you determine
which plant species are appropriate for your site. When visiting a plant nursery or researching
plants online it’s important to check that any plants you select are adapted to the sunlight,
moisture and soil conditions of your site.
Sunlight
Light conditions are an important consideration when planning a monarch habitat project.
As mentioned previously, the best sites for monarch habitat have full sun throughout the
day. Monarch butterflies are active from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. so it’s highly desirable to
have your site receive full sun during this window. Use the table below to establish the
light conditions present and record them in Appendix 1.
Full Sun
Part Shade
Dappled Sun
Shade
6+ hours of sun
each day.
3-6 hours of sun
each day, preferably
in the morning and
early afternoon.
The sun that filters
through the leaves
of deciduous trees.
Less than 3 hours of
sun each day.
13
Moisture
Whether you are planning a project in a marsh or a dry field, it is possible to create the
right conditions for monarchs to thrive. To ensure success, it is very important to consider
moisture conditions when creating a plant list. Is your site sandy and well drained? Or is it
soggy and poorly drained? Also consider that the moisture conditions may vary throughout
your site. Low lying areas or depressions generally retain more moisture than hills or slopes.
Once you’ve assessed the conditions, record the information in Appendix 1 and consult
the resources section to help you choose plants that are best adapted to the moisture
conditions at your site.
Consider that adult monarchs need a source of water for drinking. Plan to leave patches of
bare soil where water can collect to make mud puddles. If your site is not naturally moist,
consider creating mud puddles using a small saucer or bowl and adding water, sand and
rocks for a dry landing surface.
Soil
One great benefit to using native plants in your garden is that they are adapted to local
conditions, including the soils. Native plants don’t require applications of common soil
enhancers like triple mix, manure, or commercial fertilizers. A little bit of mulch might be
all you need for your garden.
Even if you are planning to use only native plants, it’s still important to know what type
of soil you have so you can select the best species or make amendments to the soil. The
majority of nectar plants that the monarch butterfly relies upon are best suited for welldrained sandy soils. If you have a lot of silt or clay in your soil, you may need to add some
sand to keep your monarch habitat growing.
Use the jar test (Figure 1) to analyze the soil texture on your site and record your findings in
Appendix 1. Use this information to choose species for your plant list. If you need additional
assistance in creating a plant list, contact a local nursery for assistance, or consult the
resources section in the back of this guide.
FIGURE 1 | Soil Jar Test
1. Collect your soil sample.
Floating
organic
matter
Water
Clay
Silt
Sand
2. Spread soil out on an old cookie tray to dry. Once dry, sift it through a collander or remove small stones and roots and break up any lumps.
3. Fill a jar halfway with the sifted soil and then fill it completely with water. Put the lid on the jar and shake well.
4. Place the jar in an undisturbed area and compare the results to this diagram.
5. If you see mostly sand in your jar, you have sandy soil. If you see
mostly clay in your jar, you have clay soil. If you see equal amounts of
clay, silt and sand in your jar, you have loamy soil.
14
Native Plants for Monarch Habitat
The key to a thriving habitat is to put the right plant in the right place. This means
ensuring that the plants you select are adapted to the climate, light, and soil conditions
of your garden. Native plants have evolved over thousands of years in association with
other species and in response to the local climate. Here are some suggestions for native
plant species that are well adapted to climate conditions throughout the Canadian range
of the monarch butterfly.
Milkweed
Without milkweed, there are no monarchs. Monarch caterpillars are specialists which
means that they only feed on one species, milkweed.
Milkweed is a pioneer species; it is one of the first to move into recently disturbed sites.
This is why milkweed is so common along roadsides and in fields. There are about 100
milkweed species found in North America and 14 that grow in Canada. Milkweed is
found in deserts to dry upland sites to swamps.
Milkweed is a perennial plant that starts to appear relatively early in the spring, sprouting
from underground rhizomes (roots) or last year’s seeds. Milkweed is deep rooted
(up to 4 m) and can reproduce from a piece of root as small as 2.5 cm. In the right conditions,
milkweed may begin to take over a garden or meadow. This is great for the monarchs but
is something you may want to address when planning a restoration project (Monarch
Teacher Network, 2011).
HOW TO IDENTIFY MILKWEED
(Monarch Teacher Network, 2011)
• Leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stem.
• Leaves and stems contain a milky sap. Contact with the
sap should be avoided as it can have adverse effects if
inadvertently rubbed in the eye, or consumed.
• Flowers form dense clusters at the top of the stem. Individual
flowers are “dumbbell” shaped with petals arranged 5-up,
5-down.
• Common milkweed blooms from June-August in many parts of
Canada. If you start them from seed, note that they do not flower
in the first year.
• In late summer, fertilized flowers form seed pods. Pods contain
hundreds of brown seeds each with about 900 long, white hairs
attached. These hairs help the seeds get caught in the wind to aid
dispersal.
15
MILKWEED VARIETIES FOUND IN CANADA
Common milkweed
– Asclepias syriaca
Other names: silkweed
Natural range: Saskatchewan,
Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Maritime
Provinces
Habitat: roadsides, fields, meadows
& rocky flat areas
Bloom time: June to early August
Planting tips: Plant in full sun. May
be too invasive for small backyard
gardens, but is appropriate for larger
sites. Start from seed for best results
(Nature Canada, 2013).
Butterfly milkweed
– Asclepias tuberosa
Other names: butterfly weed, orange
swallowwort, pleurisy weed
Natural range: Ontario, Quebec,
Habitat: Roadsides, disturbed areas,
dry fields, prairies.
Bloom time: June to September
Planting tips: This species needs full
sun to partial shade and well-drained
sandy soils or coarse soils. This species
is well adapted to gardens. Propagate
from cuttings (in May for best results) or
start from seeds (Nature Canada, 2013).
Swamp milkweed
– Asclepias incarnata
Other names: rose milkweed, silkweed,
marsh milkweed, water nerve root
Natural range: Manitoba, Ontario,
Quebec, Maritime Provinces
Habitat: Swamps, marshes and other
wet areas. Found on streambanks,
lakeshores, in sedge meadows,
marshes and low wet woods.
Bloom time: Late June through August,
occasionally into September
Planting tips: This species is found in
wet areas with full sun exposure. They
are great for shoreline restoration projects. Sow seeds into out flats in late fall
& mulch lightly (Nature Canada, 2013).
16
MILKWEED VARIETIES FOUND IN CANADA
Showy milkweed
– Asclepias speciosa
Natural range: British Columbia,
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Habitat: Found in ditches, road sides &
other disturbed areas. Preferred habitats
include savannahs, forest edges,
meadows & fields.
Bloom time: June to August
Planting tips: This species thrives in
full sun, sandy loam soils & moisture
conditions from dry to moist.
Whorled milkweed
– Asclepias verticillata
Other names: white/eastern whorled
milkweed
Natural range: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario
Habitat: Woodland, savannah, and
prairie habitats.
Bloom time: May to July
Planting tips: Plant in dry sandy soils
in full sun or part shade. Choose locations
near forest edges or windbreaks.
Other milkweed species to also consider depending on your region:
Green milkweed - A. viridifolia: BC to ON
Hairy milkweed - A. lanuginosa: prairie region
Oval-leaved milkweed - Asclepias ovalifolia: BC to ON
Poke milkweed - A. exaltata: ON, QC
Purple milkweed - A. purpurascens : ON
17
TIPS & TRICKS | Milkweed Look-alike
Hemp dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) is not milkweed.
Monarch caterpillars will not feed on dogbane, so it’s important to learn
to distinguish it from common milkweed
Common milkweed – Asclepias syriaca
Hemp dogbane – dogbane, indian hemp
• Seedlings and shoots hairy
• Seedlings and shoots smooth
• Single stalk
• Branched stalk
• Flowers pinky-purple;
5-up, 5-down petal arrangement
• Flowers greenish-white, smaller, cup shaped
• Oval shaped pod
• Long bean-like pod
Nectar Plants for Adults
Monarch habitats require a variety of nectar sources for adult butterflies. Summer wildflowers
feed monarchs through the breeding season and fall wildflowers provide fuel for their long
journey south. For best results choose a site with full sun and use a variety of flowers that
bloom throughout the growing season.
18
Below are some suggestions for plants that are adapted to climatic conditions throughout
the Canadian range of the monarch butterfly; however, you should use local plant lists to
select species that are native to your site.
Solidago Spp. (Goldenrods)
Monarda Fistulosa
(Wild Bergamot)
Echinacea Spp. (Coneflower)
Achillea millefolium
(Common Yarrow)
Eutrochium Spp.
(Joe Pye Weeds)
Cornus Spp. (Dogwoods)
Amelanchier Spp.
(Serviceberry)
Penstemon Spp.
(Beardtongues)
Verbena Spp. (Vervains)
Oenothera Spp.
(Evening Primroses)
Photo credit: Grow Wild
Aster Spp.
Photo credit: John Oyston
Photo credit: prairie originals
Rudbekia (Black-Eyed Susan)
19
Preparing your beds
There are several ways to prepare beds for planting. We’ve highlighted four herbicide free
ways to prepare your site for planting.
1.In the fall, place black landscape fabric, or newspaper layered with mulch, over the area
where you wish to plant. This should smother any sod and most weeds. Remove any dead
material before planting.
2.Use a spade to remove the existing sod. This will form a depression which will need to be
filled with soil or clean fill (for small project only).
3.To create a simple raised bed, use reclaimed lumber or wood pallets to create a frame. If
you need help building the frames, this can be a great opportunity to engage the local
community or a woodshop class. Once your frames are in place, put down cardboard or
newspaper over the existing sod or weeds and fill the container with soil.
4.Till the area 6-8 weeks prior to planting. You may need to till on multiple occasions to
eliminate weed growth. Remove any weeds and dead vegetation (best method for large
restoration projects).
BASIC TOOL CHECKLIST
Gardening Gloves (1 pair/person)
Trowels (1/person)
Buckets (for mulch/water)
Rake
Shovel
Hose (or watering cans)
Signs/tongue depressors (for labeling plants)
Permanent marker
Hand washing Station (if no running water available)
Planting your beds
Here are some suggestions to help ensure that your planting day goes smoothly and your
plants have the best chance of survival.
• If you are planting in a publicly accessible space, make sure to invite the local community,
and even the local media, to raise public awareness and ensure buy-in for your project.
• Plan your planting day for the spring, after the last hard frost in your area, or early fall.
• Try to plan your wildflower purchases and deliveries so they can be planted immediately. If
you can’t, make sure to keep them watered and in a shady, sheltered place until you can plant them.
•Make a plan for watering your beds. Try to plant your beds when there is rain in the
forecast. This won’t always be feasible so make sure that you have everything you need on
hand to water your flowers immediately.
20
• Label your plant markers with the plant name and date before you head outdoors.
•If it has been a while since you prepared your beds, then they may have hardened in the
rain. Break up the crust with a rake and weed as necessary.
• Place signs or physical barriers around your garden or habitat if possible. Sometimes
butterfly gardens and meadows can fall victim to trampling or overzealous mowing, so it is
important to ensure that your site is well marked.
21
10
TIPS
FOR A SUCCESSFUL MONARCH
FRIENDLY GARDEN
(Monarch Teacher Network, 2011)
•Start small. You can always enlarge the garden later on as you gain confidence or
more people join in.
•Enlist the support/help of other people. Engaging the local community is the key to
your success. Educate and involve them; plan for summer help.
•Locate the garden in a sunny area. Butterflies and most butterfly-attracting plants
need bright sunshine.
•Think two kinds of plants: nectar sources and host plants. Butterflies visit flowers in
search of nectar to eat so you need to have nectar-producing flowers in your garden.
But you also want to have host plants that provide food for caterpillars and that will
lure female butterflies to lay eggs on them. Different kinds of butterflies require different host plants.
•Think water source. It will be very difficult to keep your garden alive during the
summer or periods of drought unless you have an easy water source. Is there a faucet
nearby, or can one be created? In the long-term, carrying buckets will not work.
Soaker hoses buried in the ground are also a good idea. Mulching the garden will
save water and suppress weeds; lawn clippings are good mulch.
•Include both annuals and perennials. Use native plants where possible. Both seeds and
seedlings of native plants can be purchased locally and planted directly in the garden
in either mid-June or late August/early September. Seeds can be started indoors in
late winter and transplanted into the garden as seedlings in the spring. Using native
plants provides butterflies, insects, birds and mammals of your area a food source
they can use throughout the growing season.
•Consider having a damp area or shallow puddle in the garden. Some butterflies
drink and extract minerals from moist soil. Sometimes large number of butterflies will
gather for a drink, “puddling”.
•Consider placing flat stones in the garden. Butterflies often perch on stones, bare soil
or vegetation, spread their wings and bask in the sun to raise their body temperature.
•Plan for plants to bloom through the growing season. Butterflies are active from
early spring to late fall. Plant a selection of flowers that provide nectar throughout
the entire growing season. Remove spent blooms (deadheads) on a regular basis to
encourage new flowers and continuous nectar.
•Do not use pesticides in or near the garden. Most traditional garden pesticides are
toxic to butterflies. Use predatory insects or hand remove pests.
22
Maintenance Requirements
The calendar below provides a general guide to the seasonal maintenance requirements
for your garden (TRCA, 2012). For more detailed instructions on maintenance refer to the
resources section of the guide.
Spring
Summer
•Cut back dead
•Remove weeds
material to the
and replenish
ground (or leave it
mulch as needed.
to make sure you do •Monitor the
not disturb nesting
weather and water
birds, caterpillars or
regularly during
chrysalis!).
dry periods.
•Remove large, wet •Prune or thin
clumps of leaves
plants that are
and add them to
growing too fast
the composter.
to promote good
• Plant wildflowers
air circulation
•Add a fresh layer
and prevent them
of mulch or compost
taking over.
to garden beds
after planting
or once spring
perennials have
emerged.
•Water new plants
in dry conditions.
Fall
Winter
•Divide perennials •Prune shrubs and
that have spread
trees.
too quickly.
•Start to plan for
•Add 5-8cm of
spring.
mulch once the
ground is frozen
(cold climates) or
to keep weeds
down (warmer
climates).
•If possible, leave
dead plant material
to provide winter
habitat.
•Prepare new beds
for spring by
covering areas
with landscape
fabric or newspaper.
•Plant trees, shrubs
and perennials.
Taking care of your monarch friendly habitat will require ongoing team work. Once your
garden is established you might want to recruit a maintenance team and assign tasks/
responsibilities to each team member. To get organized use the job sheet in Appendix 5.
This will help divide up tasks and align your students/volunteers with the things they like
to do. In a school setting, these tasks could be assigned to different classes or to students
within one classroom.
23
APPENDICES
Appendix 1. Site Observations
Use this space to record observations about your site. This should include the sunlight conditions,
soil type and moisture conditions, where possible. It could also include notes about site specific
challenges, ideas for plant species or ideas for improving the site conditions.
Sunlight: Full Sun
Part Shade
Dappled Sun
Full Shade
Comments:
Soil Type: SandSilt
Clay
Comments:
Moisture Conditions: Wet/poorly drained
Moist Dry
Comments:
Additional Notes:
24
Appendix 2. Plant List
Use this sheet to keep a record of the species in your monarch friendly habitat. You should also
record the location of the plants on your habitat sketch. It’s important to include both the Latin
and common name if possible. Plants often have many common names depending on the local
region and some common names are used to describe completely different species of plants.
The Latin name provides a universal ID for plants across regions and languages. Using the Latin
name makes it much easier to research a plant species online and to ensure you get the correct
species when you visit a nursery or local native plant grower.
Group Name:
Site Name:
Location:
Year Installed:
Common Name
Latin Name
Date Planted
Ex. Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
May 15, 2013
25
Appendix 3. Monarch Habitat Sketch
Use the space below to create a sketch of your monarch habitat project. Record the location of
buildings, key features, hardscaping (rocks, pavement, benches, etc.) and plant beds. Indicate the
species of plants so that you can locate them later. If you need more space, you can use a standard
(8.5” x 11”) sheet of graph paper to create your sketch.
26
Below is a sample monarch habitat sketch. It is drawn to show plants in full bloom, but thanks to
the grid format you can use this the following year to know what plants will be growing where.
27
Appendix 4. Sample Budget
Revenue
Year 1 ($)
Year 2 ($)
Year 1 ($)
Year 2 ($)
Fundraisers
Donations
Grants
Total
Expenses
Plants
Seeds
Soil Amendments
(ex. mulch, compost)
Lumber for raised beds
Tools
Watering Cans
Hoses
Shed
Signs
Fencing
Total
28
Appendix 5. Garden Maintenance Task Sheet (TRCA, 2012)
Task
Whole Team
Job Description
Makes a plan for the
garden each spring
Seasons
& Time
Commitments
# of
volunteers
needed
Team Members
(Insert Names)
1-2 days per
month
Reports visits from
monarchs and other
animals
Aren’t afraid to get
dirty!
Team Lead
(adult)
Keeps files and
records
1 day/month
(fall/winter)
Recruits volunteers
and maintains task
table
1 day/week
(spring/
summer)
Communicates with
the team
Equipment
Crew
Checks that tools are Inventory
in working order and tools once
put away properly
per year
1-2
2-3
Checks with other
team members to
find out if additional
equipment/materials
are needed
Reports to the team
leader
Watering
Team
Waters the plants
(preferably in the
early morning)
Watches the
weather and checks
rain gauges
Maintains rain
barrels or other
watering equipment
Once a week
to every
other day
from May to
August
1-10 people
depending
on your
watering method
and the size of
For schools,
your site
ask your
(more people if
grounds crew hauling water)
or parents
volunteers to
help over the
summer
29
Appendix 5. Garden Maintenance Task Sheet con’t
Task
Job Description
Plant Keepers
Pull (& compost) weeds
Divide or thin plants
that have outgrown
their space
Seasons &
Time
Commitments
# of
volunteers
needed
Once per
week from
May to
October
2-25
depending on
the size or your
habitat and
age of crew
1-2 days per
month
2-25
depending
on the size of
your habitat
and age of your
crew
Watch for insect
damage and plant
diseases
Team Members
(Insert Names)
Mulch plants
Planting Crew
Plants wildflowers
(spring)
Plants trees/shrubs
(fall)
Gets new beds ready
for planting (fall)
Habitat Crew
Creates mud puddles 3-4 times
or baths for butterflies per month
Makes bunches of
brush and places
them in the garden
1-5
from May to
October
Monitors the plants
to see what is doing
well and what needs
to be replanted/replaced
Repairs or replaces
garden signs
Appendix 6. Habitat Project Implementation Checklist
Select your site and record the conditions (Appendix 1)
Obtain approvals from property owner/manager/school administration
Create your plant list (Appendix 2)
Sketch/map your plan (Appendix 3)
Create a budget and raise funds/collect donations for your project
Site preparation. Prepare new beds in the fall by putting down landscape fabric/newsprint
and leaving it until spring.
Call before you dig! Contact your local one call or utility if you plan to dig.
Purchase native plants from a local grower.
Make sure you have the right tools.
Set a date for planting the garden and invite the public/media to participate.
Dig in and have fun!
30
REFERENCES
Bell, E., Brower, L.P., Calvert, W.H., Dayton, J., Frey, D., Leong, K., Murphy, D., Pyle, R.M., Sakai,
W., Snow, K.B. & Weiss, S. (1993). Conservation and management guidelines for preserving
the monarch butterfly migration and monarch overwintering habitat in California. Retrieved
December 17, 2013, from the Xerces Society Website: http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/
uploads/2008/10/monarch_management_guidelines_1993.pdf
Government of Saskatchewan. (1998). The Wildlife Act. Retrieved December 17, 2013, from
the Government of Saskatchewan Website: http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/
Statutes/Statutes/W13-12.pdf
Monarch Teacher Network. (2011). Journeys: Learning Activities from the Monarch Teacher
Network (Canadian Version). Educational Information & Resource Centre, Global Connections.
Nature Canada. (2012). Monarch Friendly Garden Guide. Retrieved December 17, 2013, from
the Nature Canada Website: http://www.naturecanada.ca/take_action_monarch_friendly_
garden.asp
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. (2012). Maintaining your Pollinator Garden,
A Guide for Community Gardeners. Retrieved December 17, 2013, from the Toronto and
Region Conservation Authority Website: http://trca.on.ca/dotAsset/150579.pdf
Learn More
Monarch Biology and Lifecycles
Flight of the Butterflies
http://www.flightofthebutterflies.com
Monarch Joint Venture
http://monarchjointventure.org
Monarch Watch
www.monarchwatch.org
Monarchs in the Classroom
http://www.monarchlab.org/mitc/
Nature North
www.naturenorth.com
Project Monarch Health
http://www.monarchparasites.org/
31
North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC). (2011). Protecting Monarchs:
What you can do to support monarch butterflies. From the Monarch Joint Venture Website:
http://monarchjointventure.org/images/uploads/documents/NAPPC-monarch-brochure-ver8.pdf
Plants Species Selection
Evergreen - Native Plant Database.
http://nativeplants.evergreen.ca/
Johnson, Lorraine. (2005). 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens 2nd ed.
Whitecap. North Vancouver, BC.
North American Native Plant Society
http://www.nanps.org/index.php/resources/native-plant-societies
Ontario Wildflowers
http://www.ontariowildflowers.com/
Prairie Originals Wildflowers and Native Grasses
www.prairieoriginals.coms
Habitat Creation
Canadian Wildlife Federation - Create Wildlife Habitat.
http://cwf-fcf.org/en/discover-wildlife/resources/resource-sheets/create-wildlife-habitat.html
Hawinga, D. and Daigle, J.M. (1996). A Guide to Naturalizing Ontario Parks and Greenspace.
Ecological Outlook and Ontario Parks Association
Johnson, Lorraine. (1998). Grow wild! : Native plant gardening in Canada and northern United
States. Random House of Canada. Toronto, ON
Manitoba Naturalists Society. (2006). Naturescaping Manitoba. Friesens. Altona, MB. City of Winnipeg Website: http://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Naturalist/ns/naturescapemanitoba/publication.
asp
Pollinator Partnership - Monarch Habitat Development Manuals.
http://www.pollinator.org/monarchs
Evergreen - School Ground Greening.
http://www.evergreen.ca/en/resources/school-ground-greening/
The Xerces Society and The Smithsonian Institution. (1998). Butterfly Gardening: Creating
Summer Magic in Your Garden. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco
Habitat Maintenance
Bradley, F.M., Ellis, B.W., and Martin, D.L. (2010). The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural
Pest and Disease Control: A Complete Guide to Maintaining a Healthy Garden and Yard the
32
Earth Friendly Way. Rodale Organic Gardening Books.
Canadian Gardening - Testing your Soil.
http://www.canadiangardening.com/how-to/gardening-resources/testing-your-soil/a/1780
Canadian Wildlife Federation - Invasive Species to Avoid!
http://cwf-fcf.org/en/discover-wildlife/resources/encyclopedias/invasive-species/
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority - Maintaining your Pollinator Habitat.
http://trca.on.ca/dotAsset/151799.pdf
Certification and Signage
Center for Pollinator Research - “Pollinator Friendly” Garden Certification.
http://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/public-outreach/cert
Monarch Watch - Monarch Waystation Program.
www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/
Funding Opportunities
Charity Village
https://charityvillage.com/directories/funders.aspx
Evergreen
http://www.evergreen.ca/en/funding/
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Who can apply: registered charities, schools, municipalities, First Nations
https://fef.td.com
Classroom/Learning Resources
Journey North
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/
Monarch Teacher Network
www.MonarchTeacherNetwork.org
Monarch Teacher Network of Canada
www.monarchteacher.ca
The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Manitoba Region
www.natureconservancy.ca/mb
World Wildlife Fund, Schools for a Living Planet
http://schools.wwf.ca/
33
Notes
34
Teaching & Learning
WI T H MO N ARCH BU T T E RFL I E S
Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies is a twoday, fully immersive workshop focused on giving educators
the knowledge and skills to teach multi-disciplinary lessons
that will strike awe and wonder in students of all ages!
Through our proven teachers-teaching-teachers method,
participants build confidence and competence working
with monarchs including:
• Appropriate handling techniques;
• Care and feeding throughout all life stages;
• And tagging and tracking of migrating monarchs.
Educators learn about the monarch’s life cycle,
migration, and habitat requirements by participating
in experiential activities; including indoor simulations,
outdoor wide games, and a variety of visual and
performing arts. There is also a focus on ethical and
political considerations related to species conservation
and social justice issues in Mexico.
For more information
or to find a workshop
near you, visit
or contact Natalie Swaak,
[email protected]
289-268-3913
Participants will leave the workshop with the knowledge, skills, and tools to bring the magical
story of this emblematic creature to life for their students.
Voices... from the Land
Voices is a celebration of oral and written language, art, culture
and performance. You will be introduced to ephemeral art/
For more information
nature play by exploring a natural site and creating art
or to find a workshop
from found materials. You will write and perform poetry,
near you, visit
exploring the power of language. You will learn techniques
to layout, design and publish a full-colour book or posters
or contact Nancy McGee,
of your art and poetry. In this process, you will collaborate
[email protected]
and negotiate as a member of a team. You will leave with
289-268-3911
the skills to recreate this powerful experience in a classroom/
group setting. This 1.5 day hands-on workshop is appropriate
for educators of students of all ages and abilities.
This project was generously supported by:
Thanks to Our Partners:
Education and Information Resource Centre and Nature Conservancy of Canada,
Manitoba Region and Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
WWW.MONARCHTEACHER.CA

MONARCH FRIENDLY habitat - David Suzuki Foundation

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