Monarchs . . . Bringing Back America's Most Beloved Butterfly
The Monarch butterfly, a summer delight beloved by children and adults alike, is in trouble. Loss of habitat and its primary food source is plucking this iconic beauty from the sky.
The Monarch uses milkweed to raise and feed its young, and as a place to rest, hide from predators, and prepare for migration. But the decreasing availability of milkweed plants and the increased use of systemic insecticides are negatively affecting this beautiful butterfly, along with many other creatures.
Monarchs need friends who will help. Come and listen to Pat Miller, Conservation Specialist with Monarch Watch, University of Kansas, talk about current conservation work to help this beloved creature through the combined efforts of Monarch Watch, Wild Ones, Monarch Joint Venture, Xerces Society, and other organizations. Discover the magic of Monarch butterflies, their biology, their fascinating life cycle and their incredible annual migration. Understand why this miraculous migration is now considered an “endangered phenomenon”.
Come and learn about what people can do to “Bring Back the Monarchs.” Understand why milkweed plants are key to their survival. You will leave the evening more knowledgeable and inspired by the beauty and mystery of the Monarch butterfly.
PAT MILLER BIOGRAPHY
B.S., Southern Illinois University
Conservation Specialist, Monarch Watch, University of Kansas
Master Gardener by the University of Illinois Extension
Master Naturalist by the University of Illinois Extension
Plant Clinic Technician at the Morton Arboretum
Pat has raised and tagged hundreds of butterflies each year and has made multiple trips to the Monarch butterfly overwintering sanctuaries in Mexico.
Pat is a profession speaker, who presents Monarch programs to classrooms, garden clubs, libraries, and environmental groups throughout the Chicago area, reaching over a thousand people annually. Pat uses her knowledge of Monarchs to entice children and adults to spend more time outside and connect with nature. She encourages people to raise a butterfly from egg or caterpillar for the sheer pleasure of experiencing the miracle of nature.