Monarch butterflies

The links below contain information on what you can do to help monarchs in our community. 

How You Can Help Monarchs

1. Plant milkweed.
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed, and monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed. The best thing you can do to help monarchs is to plant milkweed in your yard or garden. There are several species of milkweed native to Iowa. Milkweed seeds are available at the Pella Public Library.

 2. Plant nectar flowers. 
Monarchs feed on a variety of annual and perennial flowers. See the list of Monarch nectar flowers. (PDF) You can help not only monarchs, but other butterflies and pollinators as well, by planting nectar-rich flowers. 

3. Reduce or eliminate pesticide use. 
Butterflies are insects, so insecticides will kill them. Use pesticides with care in your yard and garden, or make a commitment to garden without pesticides.

 4. Get involved.
There are numerous organizations devoted to monarch preservation and habitat restoration.

Milkweed and Nectar Plants

Monarch Nectar Plants Midwest

Milkweed Native to Iowa

Milkweeds of the Central US

Tallgrass Prairie Center

Additional information

Iowa’s Mowing Law for Roadsides (PDF)

National Wildlife Federation Monarch Butterfly

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Farm Bill programs and other ways agricultural producers can help butterflies and pollinators.

US Fish and Wildlife Save the Monarch Butterfly

Xerces Society Monarch Conservation and Project Milkweed