About Save the Monarch Butterfly Campaign

Save the Monarch Butterfly – Plant Milkweed!

Our mission is to grow the monarch butterfly population by planting and encouraging others to plant milkweed – the only plant that nourishes monarch caterpillars before they make their incredible transformation.

As the producers of Manitoba Home and Gardener, Ontario Home and Gardener, and Alberta Home and Gardener magazines, we feel a responsibility to use our platform and to reach out to you, our fellow gardeners, to help us with this cause.

Milkweed is the only plant upon which monarch butterflies will lay their eggs, as it is the only plant the caterpillars will eat. Without it, the population cannot sustain.

The rising use of genetically modified crops has drastically reduced the number of milkweed plants, as the spraying of these crops kills surrounding natural plants.

Only 40 per cent of milkweed has survived this trend, and the monarch butterfly population is suffering with it.

In 1996, 350 million butterflies survived the long journey to Mexico. Last year, less than 33.5 million made it. The image of a kaleidoscope of butterflies covering every square-inch of a fir tree could soon be a distant memory.

Without our help, monarchs will not have enough places to lay their eggs. We know that all things big and small are beautiful, and are connected to us. We’re hoping a small group with big efforts can help save this tiny, miraculous creature.