Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club’s Monarch Rescue

This is the third summer for the Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club’s Monarch Rescue project we call “Release Butterflies-Not Balloons” started by our past President, Elaine George. So far this year, we have released close to 200 butterflies bringing our 3 year total to 665. Since the season is not over and several members still have developing caterpillars, that number is sure to rise! In light of the statistic that only about 10% of the Monarch eggs laid survive to adulthood, we feel pretty good about the fact that we have helped 600 make it to maturity and hopefully helped boost the total population of this most easily recognized and beautiful butterfly.

Member Diana Wyrock took this process one step further by tagging the monarch butterflies. This is a simple process of delicately placing a sticker on the wing of the butterfly. This sticker has a number system on it for Diana to track the monarch. Once these butterflies make their way down to Mexico and are spotted, then a record is made and Diana is notified that one of her butterflies made the journey successfully.

Sometimes the butterflies like to take their time leaving their lovely habitat. They will fly onto your head, shoulder, hands or another flower before they take off for good.

To learn more about the club please visit: avonlakegarden.club