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Monarch Butterfly in Crisis: A Plantchat Discussion

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Mon, Jul, 21, 2014 @ 10:07 AM

Monarch AHSButterflies are important pollinators, yet they are facing a population crisis. According to the Natural Resources Defence Blog, "the number of monarch butterflies that migrates across the United States each year and overwinters in the forests of Mexico has dropped to an all-time low. The 2014 Monarch census put the population at 33.5 million individuals. Although the number of butterflies varies from year to year, this estimate is a precipitous drop from a high of 1 billion in 1997 and down from a long term average of 350 million over the last 15 years." This week's #Plantchat focuses on the Monarch Butterfly, and offers tips and strategies on how John Q. Public can help to mitigate their habitat destruction. 

You're Invited to Tweet 

Join @CoronaTools and #plantchat co-partner, American Horticultural Society Digital Communications Manager Charlotte Germane @AHS_Gardening for the topic, Monarch Butterfly Crisis and How You Can Help. The live chat begins Monday, June 21, 2014 at 11 a.m. PST / 2 p.m. EST, were we come together with green industry experts and fellow horticultural tweeps each week to discuss all things related to plants and horticulture, since 2014.

Discussion Overview 

Startling Drop in Monarch Population -Last winter was the lowest number of over-wintering of Monarchs in Mexico. 

One Reason for Monarch Decline -The startling drop in the Monarch population is the farm use of Roundup-Ready soybeans, along with the use of this herbicide to kill milkweed. 

What can Gardeners Do? - Plant Milkweeds in home and community gardens 

Create Monarch Habitats - Home Gardeners can create certified Monarch habitats for both adult monarchs and their immature offspring. 

Participate in the Monarch Count - Become a Citizen Scientist and track/watch Monarchs with Journey North (on Twitter, @JourneyNorthOrg).  

Join the Conversation

Plantchat logo on Corona ToolsDon’t miss out on this exciting topic and join the conversation via Twitter. Just sign into #plantchat with your Twitter ID and you can follow the conversation and share with the community. Be sure to add the hastag to all your tweets or join us in the plantchat room on Tweetchat.  They will automatically add it for you and it's easy to watch the conversation as it happens!

If you do miss the live event, you can still access the Storify recap, accessible 24/7 that will be posted following the live chat. The transcript includes all the information and links shared during the discussion. 

About Plantchat

Connect and share with the green industry leaders live on Twitter and 24/7 to learn and share about hot topics in the green industry. Plantchat is part of the Green Industry Leaders Network (GILN) presented by Corona and its partners.  We are an alliance of professional organizations who are advancing the horticulture, tree care, and landscaping industries.  Register now to get weekly updates of upcoming chats, links to transcripts, chat reminders and more!  Register now on the GILN website!

Topics: Corona Tools, #Plantchat, AHS, Monarch Butterfly Crisis

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