Safe Haven for Monarchs

Monarchs—the beautiful bright orange and black butterflies. The not-so-beautiful news: They’re endangered. The butterflies feed on nectar from many different plants, but the caterpillars only eat milkweed.

PROBLEM: Milkweed is being destroyed through urbanization, industrialization, and herbicide use.

ACTION: Build waystations—areas with milkweed and other plants where the butterflies can rest (particularly on their migration south for the winter).

So, that’s exactly what USM’s incredible STEM Club (most notably STEM Scholar Abby Logan) did.

And it worked! USM ecology professor spotted a Monarch caterpillar in our waystation this fall!