May 22: Oberhauser Shares How to Save the Monarch Butterfly

–submitted by Valerie Renk

Dr. Karen Oberhauser, conservation biologist and UW-Madison Arboretum Director, told Rotarians that Monarch Butterfly populations have been declining in the last three decades. Loss of breeding habitat and hot/dry conditions translate to less feed and are to blame. Twelve of the 100+ milkweed species needed are native to Wisconsin.

Oberhauser then shared how we can help:

• Landscape your own home with flowers that bloom throughout the summer; Kentucky bluegrass is invasive.
• Plant milkweed and colorful flowers in rights-of-way not mowed, crop buffers and land already protected.
• Contribute to science and conservations organizations; mitigate climate change.

If you missed the program this week you can watch it here:  https://youtu.be/vJALctE5Ocg.