“Imagine One Million Monarchs in the Midway”

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Hamline Midway Library dedicates month of May to imperiled insect
May2014_MonarchFeat1 Last year alone, researchers with the World Wildlife Federation found a 59 percent decrease in the area of forest typically occupied by the monarch butterfly during the winter months—indicating the numbers of the iconic insect has hit a 20-year low. (Photo by Kyle Mianulli)[/caption] By KYLE MIANULLI The monarch butterfly is one of North America’s most beloved insects. It’s distinct orange and black flitting wings are a recognized symbol of summer throughout the upper United States. Spotting one this year might be significantly more difficult than last year, though, as it was the year before, and the year before that. Monarch butterflies are disappearing at an alarming rate, leading many in the Midway area to take action, including the Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave. Following the lead of neighbors who have taken to planting milkweed—the most vital plant to monarch reproduction—and other conservation efforts, the library is dedicating the entire month of May to the imperiled monarch. Dubbed “Imagine One Million Monarchs in the Midway” the library is rolling out a slate of programming and activities geared toward raising awareness and spurring local action. Over the last two decades, the monarch populations of North America have been dwindling. Every year monarchs from all over Canada and the United States migrate thousands of miles to wait out the colder months at various overwintering sites in Mexico’s forests. Last year alone, researchers with the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) found a 59 percent decrease in the area of forest typically occupied by the migratory insect during the winter months—indicating the number of monarchs has hit a 20-year low. The WWF identifies a range of probable causes for the monarch’s disappearance, including habitat loss due to deforestation and widespread pesticide use, as well as climate change and the loss of milkweed plants, which are their primary food source. While the driving factors might be global in nature, there is a lot that can be done in your own backyard to begin to address the issue, as many area residents have already shown. “These are desperate times,” says Hamline Midway resident Erin Pavlica. She keeps a large crop of common milkweed in her plot at the Midway Green Spirit Community Garden. “A whole generation of monarchs were lost in the migration process last year.” Pavlica says she generally brings the caterpillars hatched on her milkweed home for her kids to raise and nurture as they transform into healthy monarch butterflies. Last year wasn’t a fruitful one for her milkweed plants, though. “Sadly, I did not get a single egg laid last year,” she says. Another Hamline Midway resident, Stephen Mitrione, has seen a similar decline in monarchs at his plush rain garden in front of his home on Hubbard Ave. He keeps a large crop of milkweed and other native plants attractive to monarchs and other pollinating insects. “It’s interesting, there’s been a lot fewer these last couple years,” he says. “I think that has a lot do with the habitat destruction that’s been going on.” Monarchs are just one piece of the puzzle. Insects that pollinate a large range of edible fruits, vegetables and plants vital to our food supply and ecosystem are suffering from the same loss of habitat as the monarchs. Organizers at the Midway Green Spirit Community Garden have already taken measures to provide habitat for pollinators. Pavlica, who heads an orchard team at the garden, says they are discussing adding more milkweed and other pollinator-attracting native perennials into the orchard this year. The garden has its own colony of pollinator insects, as well. They may not be as endearing as the monarch, but the two hives of bees on site are no less important to the health and productivity of the garden. “Theoretically the output increases by about 30 percent with reliable pollinators,” Mitrione said.

At the Library

LibraryArtThe integral nature of pollinators, and more specifically, monarchs in our food and bio-systems will be on full display at the Hamline Midway Library throughout the month of May. Anyone interested in learning more about the valuable role of monarchs and their precarious position in today’s world will find an array of helpful resources, activities and events there.

The library has expanded their collection of books on the subject, and will have new books on display daily. “We are hardly able to keep the bookshelf stocked,” says library Branch Manager Mark Kile.

The collection includes both fiction and nonfiction books for all ages, and cover every topic of monarch butterflies and other pollinators, from gardening to biology, picture books and more.

An art display will also feature butterfly paper cuts from local artist Andrea Martin. The display includes several different butterfly species, which will not be labeled. Instead, visitors will be encouraged to flip through one of the butterfly field guides on hand to identify each of the colorful winged creatures.

There will also be a display from Kathryn Malody of Hamline University featuring monarchs and viceroys—another butterfly that looks similar to the monarch but is poisonous to potential predators.

On Sat., May 10, 1:30-3pm, the Saturday Club will feature a monarch butterfly-themed craft for school-aged children.

On Wed., May 21, from 5-7:45pm the library will host a community seed swap followed by a screening of the PBS/Nova documentary, “The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies.” Gardening expert Mary Hedenstrom will lead a discussion on how gardeners can help protect the fragile monarch butterfly population following the movie.

Sarah Weaver, of the University of Minnesota Monarch Lab will also present a hands-on workshop on the best way to raise monarch butterflies Sat., May 31, 1:30-3:30pm. Volunteers and participants will also plant milkweed and other native species of pollinator plants in the demonstration garden during that time. Ramsey County Master Gardeners Diane Dodge and Mary Hedenstrom will be on hand to orchestrate the planting and provide insight and information.

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