Monarch Garden

For many years, our garden has planted two varieties of native milkweed with the intention of drawing declining monarch butterflies. The migratory monarch was internationally classified as endangered in 2022, and milkweed is the only plant on which monarchs will lay their eggs and the only source of food for baby caterpillars. 

At different times, our students have collected and distributed milkweed seeds so people can plant them at their homes. After a first year of zero sightings, last year a monarch was sighted just once. In a thrilling update, recently we have spotted regular, daily monarch activity. Aleitha Burns and her 7th graders confirmed multiple monarch caterpillars clinging to leaves in our milkweed "forest," and a tent has been added to the garden to protect the activity. Monday's tent count was 1 caterpillar, 1 newly hanging caterpillar shaped like a J hook, and 1 chrysalis chandelier on the ceiling. This is more than a delight—it is astonishing. Our new observations will be recorded in a state biodiversity database that tracks successful monarch habitats. This is a project that 7th grade Science Teacher Aleitha Burns and Garden Coordinator Rory Tira have been instrumental in and stretches back to Christina Kaufman, Michael Covey, and all the early stewards of our garden.

“Our plot of land is working to provide safe haven and feed. It's working. It's all our win.” 

- Rory Tira