Pollinators play an important role in the health of our natural ecosystems and are vital to our food supply. While many pollinator populations are in decline, the Monarch butterfly has been hit especially hard, and the Western population has declined by 99 percent over the past 20 years, according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Because of this steep decline, there is a growing need for Monarch and other pollinator projects. CSLRCD is working to enhance Monarch habitat by restoring degraded overwintering sites and planting nectar species on farms and ranches. We’re working with the Sweet Springs Natural Preserve in Los Osos to enhance the historic overwintering site by planting native trees that Monarchs cluster in over winter and planting plant species that Monarchs use as nectar sources.
Educational signs will be put up along the preserve to highlight the Monarch butterfly and other pollinators, and a field day is planned for early fall 2021.
Partners: Audubon Society, Xerces
Funders: MBNEP
RCD Contact: Hayley Barnes, hbarnes@coastalrcd.org