The monarch butterfly is becoming increasingly hard to spot around the globe after being one of the most recognizable and well-known butterflies on the planet.Recently the International Union for Conservation of Nature, better known as the ICUN, has listed the migratory insects as an endangered species.”Less rain, more drought conditions are temping down milkweed growth and monarchs, they’re dependent on that plant,” said Martha Van der Voort, program coordinator, Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center. “If we’re losing that due to drought and higher temperatures, we’re putting populations at risk.”Scientists estimate the population of monarch butterflies is dropping rapidly.Martha Van der Voort runs the Butterfly House at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center.She and her team are aiming to preserve monarchs by educating visitors on the challenges facing the population.”The most important thing is education and through bringing native species into this very small intimate, quiet environment, we’re able to engage people in the diversity of life and show them the diversity of butterflies and moths that live in the Adirondacks,” said Van der Voort. The butterfly house works closely with researchers tracking and aiding butterflies at all stages of their life cycle.Even taking part in an international effort tagging nearly 200 monarch butterflies each year in hopes of learning more about their migratory pathways. “Every day, we put new milkweed in the tanks and this one has seven caterpillars and all expect for one have made their chrysalides,” said Alison Lamb, student and Butterfly House coordinator. Lamb said anyone can help preserve butterfly population by simply planting milkweed in their home gardens. “Even if it’s just in our corner, we can make a difference,” Lamb said.As of right now, the United States has yet to declare the monarch butterfly as an endangered species. Van der Voort says the IUCN’s move to place the species on its list is expected to begin conversations globally and foster new ways to preserve the population.
The monarch butterfly is becoming increasingly hard to spot around the globe after being one of the most recognizable and well-known butterflies on the planet.
Recently the International Union for Conservation of Nature, better known as the ICUN, has listed the migratory insects as an endangered species.
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“Less rain, more drought conditions are temping down milkweed growth and monarchs, they’re dependent on that plant,” said Martha Van der Voort, program coordinator, Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center. “If we’re losing that due to drought and higher temperatures, we’re putting populations at risk.”
Scientists estimate the population of monarch butterflies is dropping rapidly.
Martha Van der Voort runs the Butterfly House at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center.
She and her team are aiming to preserve monarchs by educating visitors on the challenges facing the population.
“The most important thing is education and through bringing native species into this very small intimate, quiet environment, we’re able to engage people in the diversity of life and show them the diversity of butterflies and moths that live in the Adirondacks,” said Van der Voort.
The butterfly house works closely with researchers tracking and aiding butterflies at all stages of their life cycle.
Even taking part in an international effort tagging nearly 200 monarch butterflies each year in hopes of learning more about their migratory pathways.
“Every day, we put new milkweed in the tanks and this one has seven caterpillars and all expect for one have made their chrysalides,” said Alison Lamb, student and Butterfly House coordinator.
Lamb said anyone can help preserve butterfly population by simply planting milkweed in their home gardens.
“Even if it’s just in our corner, we can make a difference,” Lamb said.
As of right now, the United States has yet to declare the monarch butterfly as an endangered species.
Van der Voort says the IUCN’s move to place the species on its list is expected to begin conversations globally and foster new ways to preserve the population.
