Help Me Build the Butterfly Hill Monarch Sanctuary

Monarch butterflies are listed as threatened, so I rescue our local population from the fatal process of haying. I collect eggs and caterpillars from milkweed that grows in some local fields (with permission).

Milkweed is the monarch's host plant and it grows plentifully in hayfields and on roadsides, where monarchs eggs and caterpillars living on the milkweed don't stand a chance. This is where my work with monarchs begins.

Since 2018 I've rescued, raised, and released over 1,500 monarchs from local hayfields, and tagging them (with tags I purchase from Monarch Watch) since 2022. This year the State of Maine has issued me a monarch collection permit because of the high numbers of monarchs I save. (200-400 depending on the year). I spend hours a day with monarchs when the season (June -October) is in full swing. I send my monarch tagging data to Monarch Watch as well.

I started out monarch conservation work eight years ago with only a few mesh habitats on the kitchen counter, but quickly realized I needed to expand in order to shelter all of the monarch eggs and caterpillars that needed refuge from mowing.

I graduated to a screen house, but that structure collapsed in our Maine summer storm winds and wasn't stable enough. Surrounded by a thunderstorm, I found myself holding down the tent and poles, then bringing the mason jars with milkweed clippings and munching caterpillars inside. I knew I needed something stronger.

This year, my father and I have been building a monarch sanctuary shed (12' x 16') with screened windows and this will ensure a safe structure where I can continue to rescue monarchs. When we started out, I had not planned on the level of expense it has been. It started as a small project but with rising costs of building materials, it's costing me more than expected, and as a single mom working several jobs, trying to stay afloat, I'm struggling to cover the costs, but need to see this sanctuary through to completion.

We've up-cycled many of the materials, but lumber, siding, flooring, new screens on old windows, and hopefully insulating foam to keep the heat from the roof out, are driving costs higher than I expected.

This monarch shed will help me continue to rescue monarchs each season, ( I've already brought in over 150 this season alone, but they're habitats are on tables in my garage and office because the sanctuary isn't finished yet. Help me finish in time to raise this year's monarchs inside of it and tag them and send them on their way, safely to the skies.