Monarch butterflies, once a common sight, are now endangered because of climate change and habitat loss.
The Ellicott City Rotary Club recently funded a monarch butterfly garden at Mount Hebron High school in Ellicott City, MD. The project was a joint effort between the Ellicott City Rotary Club and the Mt. Hebron High School Interact Club. Thanks to generous donations from Frank’s Produce and Greenhouse and the Home Depot in Ellicott City students planted 115 pollinator plants. By purchasing plants from EcoWorks- Seeds for Change, a program where inmates learn about nursery operation and plant propagation, the project supported the Howard County Department of Corrections workforce development program.
Monarch butterflies contribute to the health of the planet. While feeding on nectar, they pollinate many types of wildflowers. They are also an important food source for birds, small animals, and other insects. Planting a garden of milkweed and other nectar plants are necessary for the survival of the endangered Monarch butterfly, and because environmental awareness is top of mind for students at Mount Hebron Highs School the garden was a win-win.
By: Temrah Okonski, Area Governor (okonskitg@verizon.net)