Micke Grove Zoo is expanding its conservation goals to include in-situ conservation programs. One of these is the Monarch Waystation Project which is aimed at conserving the threatened migratory monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus ssp. plexippus considered VULNERABLE by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Their free-ranging population numbers have declined over the last decade due to loss of feeding and breeding ground along their migratory route. Although, a large number of monarch waystations have been created in the East, Midwest US and Southern California, very few exist in northern California.
The Monarch Waystation Project plans to establish a Pollinator Garden and incorporate native wildflower species that will help to sustain Monarch butterflies in their migration.
Monarch Waystation Project Goals
- To conserve threatened migratory monarch butterflies through the establishment of (1) a pollinator garden and (2) replace natural habitats across the zoo landscape where they can breed, feed, and rest in their migratory journey.
- To conduct education programs on threatened migratory monarch butterflies for local communities and motivate them to grow pollinator gardens in their backyards for monarchs
- To train students and volunteers to gain experience in planning and establishing pollinator gardens aimed at conserving monarch butterflies
- To practice water-wise gardening techniques and plant native drought-resistant plants and wildflowers that provide feeding and breeding habitats for other threatened native insects
Project Summary
The Monarch Waystation Project was launched in the fall of 2023 by breaking ground for the pollinator garden. An area near the Zoo entrance was selected measured and mapped. A drift map and planting list were created to include a number of annual and perennial native wildflower species and three species of native milkweed.
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Apart from these plants, seedballs, and guerrilla droppings of the following CA native wildflower species were bought from Seedballs.com (No Longer In Business):
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Zoo volunteers were involved in the project execution and were instrumental in:
- Measuring and mapping the area,
- Preparing the area for planting,
- Gridding the area according to drift map plant locations,
- Preparing pits for plants and broadcasting the seedballs.
- Younger volunteers were trained to crush and scatter guerrilla droppings in specific drift locations.
- Placing large stone pebbles around native plants to promote growth
Project Update
Between the years 2023 and 2025 a number of annual and perennial native plants have been planted in the Pollinator Garden. The wide variety of plants will help increase plant diversity and have blooming periods in every season of the year for the butterflies to feed on. Three species of native milkweed that are local to this area were also planted to provide breeding stations for the Monarch butterflies. The native wildflowers were planted in drifts to mimic natural wildflower landscapes.
What is a Monarch Waystation?
A Monarch Waystation is a micro environment created by the local community to support monarch butterflies during their migration by providing food, shelter, and breeding areas along their migration route.
