Save milkweed seed

Photo credit to MEI member Dave Johnson

SAVE AUTUMN MILKWEED SEED FOR MONARCH WATCH!
Monarch Watch is seeking volunteers to collect wild native milkweed seeds for the Bring Back the Monarchs campaign. Thanks to the donations of over 90 seed sources from across the United States, Monarch Watch was able to distribute more than 50,000 native milkweeds this past spring. But they could have distributed more! 

For information on what seeds are needed and how to collect them, go to the following link:
http://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/campaign/2014-campaign

Also, here is a video that explains how to collect milkweed seeds from pods.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhjkC1Mbzlg

And if you want to plant milkweed seeds in the ground this fall, you can read about it here.
http://monarchbutterflygarden.net/fall-planting-milkweed-10-steps/

Monarch Butterflies are roosting!

Monarchs roosting SW Cedar Rapids.

It has been reported by a Monarchs in Eastern Iowa group member that she observed a monarch butterfly roost at her home on the SW side of Cedar Rapids, near Fairfax!  The migration is here and will peak in mid-September for this region.  Keep your eyes open for clusters of monarch butterflies in the trees near dusk and report them to Journey North at this page - http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/monarch_roosts_fall2017.html

Sending Monarchs south with tags

Photo by Dave Johnson

We are heavy into monarch butterfly raising and several of our group have raised over 100!  Soon it will be time to start tagging the last generation of monarchs that will make their way to their over-wintering grounds in Mexico.  If you haven't ordered tags to tag your monarchs, please do ASAP!  

How to order tags:  http://help.monarchwatch.org/kb/article/49-monarch-tagging-process#howtoorder

If you haven't tagged monarchs before, read up on it at Monarch Watch website.
http://help.monarchwatch.org/kb/article/49-monarch-tagging-process#ourmethod

The peak time for Monarchs migrating through our area (Cedar Rapids/Iowa City is latitude 41) is September 8th - 20th.

From Dave Johnson, MEI member:   How to handle a butterfly. Make sure when you pick one up you put your fingers such that all 4 wings are being held, and that you hold from the front of the wing. That will allow your other hand to put the tag on and press to attach.

Photo by Dave Johnson