Northbrook environmental group a growing force for monarch butterflies

From a seed of an idea, Northbrook-based Monarchs, Milkweed, and More has become a growing force for the environment.

The group sprouted in August 2021 when Northbrook's Marilyn Fish "convinced" residents to plant patches of native plants in their yards.

"I never dreamed I would be working with something like Underwriters Laboratories or the Northbrook Park District in helping them put in some pretty substantial native gardens," Fish said. "I've just always been interested in nature and I've learned along the way."

Fish is a former North Suburban YMCA gymnastics instructor and school language teacher in Skokie. She currently is a substitute teacher in Northbrook/Glenview District 30. Fish founded the organization with a bunch of friends under the banner of Go Green Northbrook.

She was who Northbrook residents would see providing the "Go Green Moment" during Northbrook Village Board meetings.

In February 2022, Monarchs, Milkweed, and More became a 501(C) (3) nonprofit "with bylaws and a board," Fish said.

Its officers are Fish, Northbrook residents Sharon Brown and Alanna Gordon, Gloria Charland of Ingleside and Ellen Smatlak of Wauconda. Fish's husband, Joel, is the treasurer.

Today, Monarchs, Milkweed, and More has about 20 active members and a mailing list of about 130 people.

Why monarchs?

The colorful and delicate Monarch butterfly is Illinois' state insect and a harbinger for the health of the environment, Fish said.

"If you're planting for monarchs, you're planting for all the pollinators," Fish said.

Fish said the eastern population of the monarch butterfly has decreased by 80%. According to the World Wildlife Fund that's due to recent climate variations and herbicides that have killed off milkweed. Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed leaves, and the adults lay their eggs on the plant, Fish said.

Planting native species of flora and the removal of invasive species - another of the group's specialties - is where the "More" comes in, Fish said.

As generations of monarchs make their long migration north from Mexico, some flying all the way to Canada, adults feed on the nectar of native plants, which also help sequester carbon and aid stormwater drainage, Fish said.

"We're Monarchs and Milkweed because that draws everybody's attention, but there's just so much more to it," she said. "Planting the 'natives' and helping the monarchs leads to protecting the environment."

The nonprofit has been involved in a host of activities in the past year, working with a slim budget to further that cause.

Much of its work entails donating or planting milkweed plugs or seeds and native plants in places such as Northbrook's Temple Beth El, the village's Floral Park, the Northbrook Metra Station, Glenbrook North High School, and Goose Island in Chicago.

It has a presence at Northbrook's Farmers Market and has conducted projects at Fremont Township Community Garden in Mundelein.

Fish's presentation on native plants for Northbrook's UL Solutions, the former Underwriters Laboratory, was so well-received UL wants to distribute it worldwide and asked Fish to create a sequel, Gordon said.

Earlier this month, the Morton Arboretum in Lisle recognized Monarchs, Milkweed, and More as a partner in increasing the urban tree canopy.

Fish is engaged with students and staff at Libertyville High School to help create native gardens, rid the area of invasive bush and buckthorn, and restore the Butler Lake shoreline just north of the school.

"She has been fabulous about giving her time and lending her knowledge of plants to our project, and she continues to collaborate with us and plan with us to see how she can leverage her club's membership and expertise to ensure the success of our project," said Jennifer Kahn, Libertyville High School environmental science and earth science teacher.

Fish has worked with students in Libertyville's ECOS and LEAF sustainability clubs to assess the project, offer lists of native plants, and plans to help with ongoing buckthorn removal.

"There's still a long way to go in terms of eradicating all our invasive species on our campus, so we really rely on outside organizations such as Marilyn's," Kahn said.

Upcoming activities beyond monthly virtual presentations on the group's website include attending the April 15 College of Lake County Green Fair; and an April 30 venture with the Northbrook village and park district to remove buckthorn and other invasive species at Techny Prairie Park and Fields' Trail Through Time.

"For a little, independent group we are very busy," Fish said.

Living with her husband in the oldest standing house in Northbrook circa 1873, Fish can't quite believe the impact and partnerships her group has made in its brief existence.

"My goals have been so far surpassed that I can't even think where the group will go from here," she said. "And I have to add, the group is what it is because of the wonderful people I have working with me. I could never be doing this by myself."