Carolyn Schroeder has been involved with Duluth Monarch Buddies since its inception in 2015. Over the years, the interest in monarchs has grown. The organization now has a mailing list of over 120 members, and they coordinate the annual Monarch Festival, this year happening on June 3rd.
Creating a better habitat is the primary goal. The group obtains milkweed plants and other pollinators and continues to plant them on non-profit lands throughout the city. "This summer we're going to be way out west at the Boy Scout Landing," says Schroeder. "We're basically planting tons and tons of milkweed plugs and some pollinator plants."
Educating residents is also paramount for Monarch Buddies. Two objectives that they message to homeowners is "No Mow May" and avoiding insecticides. Letting grass grow through the late spring and early summer will better allow monarchs to thrive. Insecticides can easily get into plants and harm, not just monarchs, but also humans. "One out of three bites we take... are pollinated," says Schroeder. "A lot of our fruits and our vegetables; without the pollinators it really affects what we eat."
Monarch Buddies meets the last Monday each month at 6:30pm at the Coppertop Church in Duluth. More information can be found on Facebook and on the Monarch Buddies website.
