Organizations sought to help with Monarch butterfly preservation

  • Published
  • By Stacey Geiger
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – To coincide with the theme for the upcoming Earth Week celebration April 23-26, “Protect our species,” the 88th Civil Engineering Natural Resources office is looking for two base organizations to sponsor Monarch waystations.

“Monarch butterflies have faced drastic population declines in recent years,” said Danielle Trevino, 88th Civil Engineering Environmental biological scientist. “There are numerous factors contributing to these population declines, but perhaps the most significant factor is the loss of native habitat.”

Trevino explained that Monarchs need specific native plants to survive and reproduce during their migration every year and by creating a Monarch waystation, a habitat containing a variety of native flowering species which provide important habitat and nectar for Monarch butterflies, will help aid in sustaining the Monarch butterfly population.

The waystations will be built during Earth week on April 23 and the 88th Civil Engineering Natural Resources office will provide plants and a bird bath and will assist with preparing and planting the area. Organizations will be responsible for the upkeep.

“Not only will the station help protect the Monarch population, it is a great way for organizations to use this opportunity to build the waystation as part of a teambuilding or wingman event,” said Trevino. “In addition, once the plants flourish, waystations are visually attractive and adds “curb appeal” to the building.”

There are currently two other Monarch waystations on Wright-Patterson AFB located at the Wright-Patterson Youth Center in the Prairies and at the Interpretive Center at the Wright Brothers Memorial.

Organization interested in participating, should contact Trevino at danielle.trevino.1@us.af.mil by March 1. Organizations must have approximately 50 square feet of space (5’x10’) available and must be located in full sun, have suitable soil, and access to a water source (hose) nearby.