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Mill Creek Park aids migrating monarchs
Mill Creek Park creates area for monarch butterflies
YOUNGSTOWN
As they flutter their way through an annual migration that spans 3,000 miles round-trip, monarch butterflies have a new rest stop at which to refuel: Mill Creek Park.
Mill Creek MetroParks is a participant in “Monarch Wings Across Ohio,” a collaborative effort launched this year by the Pollinator Partnership that seeks to aid the orange-and-black beauties on their journey.
“The purpose is to establish areas for monarch butterflies, to facilitate migration and breeding and habitat needs, and then to study their interaction with the plants that were selected,” said Justin Rogers, park planning manager.
The program is needed because of habitat challenges faced by monarch butterflies on their routes between northern regions and areas such as central Mexico, where they spend the winter. The insects now should be getting ready to travel south.
“A lot of their habitat has disappeared, and their migration is this amazing, thousands-of-miles journey, so they need areas to re-energize – for rest, for food – and we are doing our part,” Rogers said.
Caterpillars need milkweed to feed on, and full-grown butterflies get their fuel from nectar-type plants. Milkweed habitats are disappearing, which has disrupted migration.
The Pollinator Partnership aims to remedy that, and Mill Creek MetroParks is contributing five host sites to the effort. Park visitors may spot signs at the sites located near Lanterman’s Mill, Daffodil Meadow, a wildlife garden on Mayfield Avenue, the Wick Recreation Area and near utility easements off Newport Drive.
Park staff installed 2,000 plants, such as milkweed, aster, wild bergamot, mint and culver’s root.
The park also has nine way stations that previously were planted to provide monarchs with the plants they need for breeding and nourishment.
When approached by the Pollinator Partnership, park staff readily applied to participate, Rogers said.
“We establish or maintain habitats to encourage wildlife, to diversify the environment, to manage or introduce native species, so this fit our mission,” he said. “We’re honored and excited to be part of the program. It’s a national program, and to have five sites in the MetroParks is exciting.”