A Place for My Monarchs and Me
Donation protected
Butterflies are beautiful, wonderful creatures and are very important to our ecosystem. My favorite butterfly is the monarch because of its uniqueness. Unfortunately, the fate of monarchs is, without a doubt, endangered. A few years ago there were multitudes of monarchs, along with other species on the campus where I have called home and a place to work for almost 30 years.
At one time monarchs were prolific and I had no doubt that this trend would continue. But this was not to be. For the past 5 years their numbers have dwindled. Whereas there were hundreds, there were only one or two for the entire summer, so I started a project called, "Saving the Monarchs." Each summer I collect the eggs, nurture them until they hatch, then release them.
Humans are destroying milkweed plants, the monarch larvae's only source of food, and this is one of the main reasons why the monarch population is dwindling so rapidly. Of course the destruction of forests in the mountains of Mexico, where monarchs spend the winter, is another important factor in this decline. My goal is to purchase property where milkweed plants can flourish undisturbed, free from pesticides or mowers. A place where the eggs will hatch undisturbed and the adult monarchs released. In addition, the community, especially children, will be educated and informed through workshops and hands-on experiences involving monarchs.
After teaching for 41 years I am now retired, passionate about the fate of monarchs, and would like to leave a legacy that will live on. My aim is acquiring property to grow and save the monarchs. I cannot afford to do this since I spent most of my life raising my children, as a single parent. Now that they are grown and have successful lives, it's a chance to pursue my passion - raising monarchs.
Elizabeth Channer
At one time monarchs were prolific and I had no doubt that this trend would continue. But this was not to be. For the past 5 years their numbers have dwindled. Whereas there were hundreds, there were only one or two for the entire summer, so I started a project called, "Saving the Monarchs." Each summer I collect the eggs, nurture them until they hatch, then release them.
Humans are destroying milkweed plants, the monarch larvae's only source of food, and this is one of the main reasons why the monarch population is dwindling so rapidly. Of course the destruction of forests in the mountains of Mexico, where monarchs spend the winter, is another important factor in this decline. My goal is to purchase property where milkweed plants can flourish undisturbed, free from pesticides or mowers. A place where the eggs will hatch undisturbed and the adult monarchs released. In addition, the community, especially children, will be educated and informed through workshops and hands-on experiences involving monarchs.
After teaching for 41 years I am now retired, passionate about the fate of monarchs, and would like to leave a legacy that will live on. My aim is acquiring property to grow and save the monarchs. I cannot afford to do this since I spent most of my life raising my children, as a single parent. Now that they are grown and have successful lives, it's a chance to pursue my passion - raising monarchs.
Elizabeth Channer
Organizer
Elizabeth Channer
Organizer
Sandy Spring, MD
