{"id":4757,"date":"2020-06-03T13:35:44","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T17:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/schools.wrdsb.ca\/environmental-education\/?page_id=4757"},"modified":"2022-01-11T14:41:02","modified_gmt":"2022-01-11T19:41:02","slug":"monarch-madness","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schools.wrdsb.ca\/environmental-education\/citizen-science\/monarch-madness\/","title":{"rendered":"MONARCH MADNESS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Monarch Waystations Installed at WRDSB Schools!<\/h1>\n

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Monarch Waystations have been installed at dozens of schools in the Waterloo Region District School Board. Waystations are wildflower gardens designed to provide Monarch Butterflies with milkweed which are the only plants that Monarchs lay their eggs on, and the only plants that Monarch caterpillars will eat. In addition, the waystations will have many other flowering plants that supply nectar to adult butterflies. Seeds planted by students include Dense Blazing Star, New England Aster, Columbine, and Goldenrod. If a Monarch Butterfly is flying over our region, we would like each of our schools to be a rest stop for these beautiful insects, where they can lay eggs and fuel up for the rest of their travels.<\/p>\n

Monarchs are an iconic species of butterfly. Their striking orange-and-black colouration is unmistakable as they glide over fields and gardens. For a species that holds such a close place in our hearts, we are falling short of protecting them. Their populations have been in decline for approximately 25 years, and Monarchs are now classified as endangered in Canada.<\/p>\n

To track the success of our waystations, we invite you to submit any sightings of Monarch Butterflies, eggs, caterpillars or pupae. You can also report if milkweed is growing at your school.\u00a0 Just click the button below.<\/p>\n

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Why Monarchs?<\/h2>\n