The Milkweed to Monarchs program, launched in 2014 by the Cincinnati Nature Center, works to enhance monarch habitat across Ohio, educate the public and aggressively distribute native milkweed seeds. From May to December 2015, the Nature Center is actively restoring a 10 acre abandoned agricultural field on their property to native grassland. Less than 1 percent of Ohio’s native grassland remains; these areas provided vital native milkweeds and nectar sources for pollinators. Introducing native flowering forbs to this 10 acre plot will attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies as well as grassland nesting birds. The seed mix used will include native milkweeds to attract monarchs.
Once mature, this Monarch Waystation will be used for native seed collection, and will provide an outdoor learning space for monarch conservation and monitoring workshops or demonstrations. These opportunities will teach visitors about seed collection, the importance of using native plants, citizen science monitoring, and more.
You can learn more about the Cincinnati Nature Center’s Milkweed to Monarchs program on their website.