Thank you for helping monarch butterflies

Patty Ankrum

To the editor:

Thank you, New Pioneer Coop and your members, for your most generous donation of 1,000 32 oz clear deli containers with lids to Monarchs in Eastern Iowa for our Rearing in the Home outreach project! These are providing monarch housing for the many 'foster parents”, raising monarchs for the first time.

Why do we raise monarchs inside? The population of monarchs is in critical decline, from over 1 billion 20 years ago to around 50 million today. The greatest impact on their numbers has been attributed to the changes in our agricultural practices, use of chemicals, loss of habitat to farming and developments, and for monarchs specifically, loss of the only plant on which they lay their eggs, and which their caterpillars can eat - milkweed.

But also greatly impacting the population is the loss of eggs and caterpillars to predators like ants, spiders, parasitic flies and wasps. Survival rates for monarch eggs and caterpillars in the wild is between 2 and 5 percent, compared to 95 percent when raised inside. So the math is favorable for the monarchs when home raised.

Also, people who raise, get involved. They develop an intimate eye to nature, ask questions about why and how we got here, and believe rightfully they can make positive changes as individuals today. One monarch, one individual, at a time.

So, Theresa Carbrey and staff, and all the New Pioneer Coop members, we thank you. You make a difference!

Patty Ankrum

Mount Vernon