I have previously written about nectar guides. The guides draw nectar-seekers into the flower for their rewards. As such, I too have been drawn in for a reward by way of two women who have guided me to the Monarch butterfly, Alice Cason and Mia Monroe.
When I worked in the Presidio I first met Mia and her group in an effort to create a Monarch habitat / sanctuary in a eucalyptus grove near Robb Hill Campground. Who knew I would cross paths with her again at my next stop?
Alice and I met shortly after I started working at Marin Art and Garden Center. She offered context to the gardens by way of history and a working knowledge of our campus. She also offered seeds of Asclepius speciosa and Asclepius fascicularis, showy milkweed and narrow leaf milkweed respectively. I took her up on the offer of seeds.
Over the last 3 years I’ve sought to create a safe and thriving place for Monarchs. Using the seeds Alice gave us and the help of students, we have grown and planted enough milkweed to dedicate and area for just milkweed. It has been very meaningful to work with elementary school students, middle school students and high school students to make what we call Monarch Meadow. Students have been involved in every step of the process.
Thus began my interest in the Monarch. Before Alice and Mia guided me to develop a care and passion for the butterfly, I was casually aware. I have always cared enough to never harm a butterfly and to respect its process from egg to adult.
But with Mia’s encouragement and knowledge and Alice’s seeds and connections, I have developed a deeper understanding of its fragility and importance. I had been guided!
Gardener Tom and I just planted out the last of the narrow leaf in early May. We’ve seen monarchs already, though it seems early for them , it looks promising. If you’d like to see Monarch Meadow it’s near the Habitat Pond. Just find Tom or me and we’ll guide you to it.
