In the last 20 years, monarch butterfly populations in the U.S. have declined by more than 70 percent due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and other threats. The decrease in the population is so significant that the monarch is being considered for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. In response to this dramatic decline, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) has become a partner of the Monarch Joint Venture (MJV), a partnership of nearly 60 organizations working together to conserve, protect, and promote the monarch and its habitat throughout the country.
Wisconsin has been identified as a key location in monarch conservation. Each spring, the offspring of the monarchs overwintering in Mexico return to Wisconsin and other northern locations to breed and lay eggs. In the fall, the migratory generation of monarchs from the upper Midwest make the full journey south to the overwintering grounds in Mexico, nearly 2,000 miles. Destruction of milkweed and nectar plants in key migratory and breeding areas, like Wisconsin, factors largely in the decline of the eastern monarch population.
“Habitat in Wisconsin is a critical link in the monarch lifecycle, so we believe it is our responsibility to do what we can to restore habitat and educate people in Wisconsin on how they can help,” said Caitlin Williamson, director of conservation programs at the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.
As part of the Monarch Joint Venture, NRF will connect and engage its network of conservationists and partners in local, regional, and national monarch conservation efforts. NRF will offer grants for projects focused on monarch conservation and habitat restoration. NRF will also share information on how Wisconsinites can get involved through volunteering or making donations to support critical projects. Additionally NRF is offering hands-on education through monarch-focused Field Trips that engage Wisconsinites in some key conservation projects like monarch tagging and habitat restoration.
“By partnering with the Monarch Joint Venture, we are committing to conserving and creating monarch habitat throughout the state, while educating the public on the important environmental roles played by monarchs and other pollinators,” said Williamson.
“We are excited to welcome the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin to the MJV,” said Wendy Caldwell, MJV Coordinator. “Their outstanding leadership in guiding and supporting conservation in Wisconsin will help drive awareness and creation of habitat in a very important area."
Visit NRF’s website and to learn more about their work.
The Monarch Joint Venture is a national partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic programs working together to conserve the monarch butterfly migration. The content in this article does not necessarily reflect the positions of all Monarch Joint Venture partners. Header photo by Wendy Caldwell.
Katika miaka ya hivi karibuni, idadi ya vipepeo wa kifalme nchini Marekani imepungua kwa zaidi ya asilimia 70 kutokana na kupoteza makazi, matumizi ya dawa za kuua wadudu, mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa, na vitisho vingine. Kupungua kwa idadi ya wanyama hao ni kubwa sana hivi kwamba ndege huyo wa kifalme anafikiriwa kuhifadhiwa na serikali ya Marekani chini ya Sheria ya Spishi Zilizokabili Hatari ya Kutoweka. Kwa mujibu wa shirika la Wisconsini, shirika la uhifadhi wa samaki la kipekee la NRC, shirika la Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) linafanya kazi ya kuhifadhi, kulinda na kukuza samaki wa kipekee nchini humo. Wisconsin imetambuliwa kuwa eneo muhimu katika uhifadhi wa kifalme. Kila mwaka, watoto wa kifalme wanaotumia majira ya baridi kali huko Mexico hurudi Wisconsin na maeneo mengine ya kaskazini ili kuzaliana na kuweka mayai. Katika majira ya baridi kali, kizazi cha wahamiaji wa kifalme kutoka Midwest ya juu hufanya safari kamili kusini hadi maeneo ya majira ya baridi kali huko Mexico, karibu maili 2,200. Uharibifu wa mimea ya milkweed na nectar katika maeneo muhimu ya uhamiaji na uzazi, kama vile Wisconsin, ni sababu kubwa ya kupungua kwa idadi ya monarch mashariki. "Habitat katika Wisconsin ni kiungo muhimu katika mzunguko wa maisha ya monarch, kwa hivyo tunaamini ni jukumu letu kufanya kile tunachoweza kurudisha makazi na kuwaelimisha watu huko Wisconsin juu ya jinsi wanavyoweza kusaidia, ""alisema Caitlin Williamson, mkurugenzi wa programu za uhifadhi katika Taasisi ya Rasilimali Asili ya Wisconsin." Kama sehemu ya mradi wa pamoja wa Monarch, NRF itaunganisha na kushiriki mtandao wake wa watunzaji na washirika katika juhudi za uhifadhi wa kienyeji, kikanda na kitaifa za monarch. NRF itatoa ruzuku kwa miradi inayolenga uhifadhi wa monarch na kurejesha mazingira. NRF pia itashiriki habari juu ya jinsi Wisconsinites wanaweza kuhusika kupitia kujitolea au kutoa michango kusaidia miradi muhimu. Kwa kuongezea, NRF inatoa elimu ya mikono kupitia safari za uwanja zilizozingatia monarch ambazo zinajumuisha Wisconsin katika miradi muhimu ya uhifadhi kama vile kuashiria monarch na kurejesha makazi. "Kwa kushirikiana na Monarch Joint Venture, tunajitolea kuhifadhi na kuunda makazi ya monarch katika jimbo lote, wakati wa kuelimisha umma juu ya majukumu muhimu ya mazingira yaliyochezwa na watawala na wapiga mbegu wengine, ""aliambia Williamson." "Tunafurahi kuwakaribisha Shirika la Rasilimali Asili la Wisconsin kwenye MJV", alisema Wendy Caldwell, Mratibu wa MJV. "Uongozi wao bora katika kuongoza na kusaidia uhifadhi katika Wisconsin itasaidia kuendesha ufahamu na uundaji wa makazi katika eneo muhimu sana. " Tembelea tovuti ya NRF na kujifunza zaidi kuhusu kazi yao. Monarch Joint Venture ni ushirikiano wa kitaifa wa mashirika ya shirikisho na ya serikali, mashirika yasiyo ya kiserikali, na mipango ya kitaaluma inayofanya kazi pamoja ili kuhifadhi uhamiaji wa vipepeo wa monarch. Yaliyomo katika makala hii si lazima kutafakari msimamo wa washirika wote wa Monarch Joint Venture. Picha ya kichwa na Wendy Caldwell.