The Monarch Sanctuary Project

My name is Sonia Koschoreck. I am a Texas Master Naturalist and the Executive Director of The Monarch Sanctuary Project. Two years ago, I found a monarch caterpillar in my tiny garden at the beginning of the pandemic. I watched in awe as it went through its strange and fascinating metamorphosis. At the time, I was also changing and couldn’t help but notice the similarities between us. Change isn’t always easy or pretty, but it pushes us to evolve and realize our true potential.

Determined to learn everything I could about my new friend, I soon discovered that the beautiful monarch butterfly, the state insect of Texas, is in trouble. Their population has declined 85% over the past two decades. I read about their multi-generational, seemingly-impossible yearly migration from Mexico to Canada and back again. I learned about all of the adversities they face, including climate change, the use of pesticides and habitat loss. When I heard that the only plant they eat as a caterpillar is milkweed and that their food sources are dwindling, I exclaimed, “What?! They come right smack dab through Texas twice a year, and they’re starving?? And all we have to do is plant native milkweeds and native nectar plants to feed them? I’m on it!” I created habitats in my backyard but quickly realized it wasn’t enough. I stared at the ceiling at night, wondering what more I could do. I feverishly wrote emails to anyone who had any amount of land who would be willing to let me plant milkweed seeds to create a safe space– a Monarch Sanctuary, if you will– to help support their migration and offer a place where they could rest, rejuvenate and raise their families.

I am proud to report that after two years of tremendous efforts, networking, and community-building, we have turned The Monarch Sanctuary Project into an official 501c3 non-profit organization! Our board of directors includes an outstanding group of women naturalists, artists, designers, and gardeners.

Our mission is 3-pronged: We help build and support the creation of native habitat spaces, we offer relevant and digestible education, and we help to raise awareness for all things monarch and native milkweed in our communities by hosting engaging events that combine nature, science, art, music and food.

So far, we have planted over 800 milkweed seedlings and 1200 native nectar plants in Pflugerville, Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Austin, and Wimberly. We aim to install a minimum of 4 new habitats per year and participate in countless events around central Texas to help raise awareness and distribute seeds so that everyone can make a difference, starting in their own backyards.

We can’t do it alone. We need your help. The monarch was recently listed as an endangered species by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). There is still time to help save this beautiful creature, but it will take an all-hands-on-deck approach.

Your support is vital in solving this problem. There is no dollar amount too small or too large. Would you consider donating to help us?

Your donation will go toward purchasing seeds, plants, and gardening supplies and will be used to help create literature and event planning.

You can easily donate with this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-monarch-sanctuary

Your friend in nature,

Sonia Koschoreck

Executive Director

PS- Someone recently asked me, “With so many other causes to support, why should we work to save the monarch migration?” Why save this biological wonder? I’ll tell you why: If we don’t, we will lose some of the much-needed magic, grace and mystery in this world. And to me, that is worth fighting for.

Please feel free to connect and follow along:

Instagram @the_monarch_sanctuary_project

Facebook @themonarchsanctuary

Gmail: [email redacted]