The Monarch Project of Cape Cod:

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Briana Cannon
6 years ago
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1 The Monarch Project of Cape Cod: Basic Information: Reverend Nell Fields and congregants of the Waquoit Congregational Church have partnered with other concerned citizens to launch the The Monarch Project of Cape Cod. The Monarch Project hopes to collaborate with area gardeners, schools, faith-based groups and others to educate the community about the threat to the Monarch's survival. This spring, the group will provide and help distribute free milkweed seeds across Cape Cod to enhance the Monarch's chances for survival. Due to a declining food supply, one of the most beautiful summer visitors to Cape Cod may no longer be returning. The Monarch butterfly, which winters in the mountains of Michoacan, Mexico and then begins a 3,000 mile migration north to the United States and Canada in the spring requires the milkweed plant in order to survive the arduous journey. During the course of their migration, female Monarchs lay eggs on milkweed leaves, which is the Monarch caterpillar's only food source. This cycle is repeated several times over the summer, and new generations of butterflies emerge to fly further north, including the Cape Cod region. In the fall, the migration turns south and, emulating the migration of their forebears, the Monarchs (several generations removed) return to the fir trees of Michoacan. For a variety of reasons, the milkweed plant is vanishing across North America. As a result, the migration has diminished greatly. Last summer, few monarchs were seen on the Cape. The Monarch Project of Cape Cod has been formed in response to the Monarch's plight. The initial free distribution of seeds will take place Saturday, March 29, 10 AM- 2PM at the Waquoit Congregational Church's Farmers Market, 15 Parsons Lane, East Falomith. Inspiration for the project: My lady Ellen and I went to Michoacan, Mexico ten years ago to view the Monarch butterflies. We rode horses high into the mountains where the butterflies "hibernate" for the winter. Luck was with us and a sunny spring day revealed a sky that was obscured by countless

2 orange, black and white beauties. I broke down crying at the magnificent spectacle. On returning to the Cape I have photographed the Monarchs every summer. Sadly, their migration has greatly diminished and last summer there were none in our garden. A couple of weeks ago, I described this situation to Reverend Nell Fields at the Waquoit Congregational Church. The very active Reverend Nell, fellow congregant Beth Bagley and I have been contacting others in the Falmouth community including butterfly expert and naturalist Alison Robb and master gardener and Chairman of the Falmouth Agriculture Commission Stan Ingram to initiate the "Monarch Project of Cape Cod." Mission Statement: The magnificent migration of the Monarch butterfly, and indeed the survival of this iconic species, is in jeopardy. The Monarch butterfly depends on the existence of the milkweed plant, which is the Monarch caterpillar's only food source. For a variety of reasons, the milkweed plant is vanishing across America, which threatens the Monarch's survival. In conjunction with other similar efforts, the Monarch Project of Cape Cod will provide and help distribute milkweed seeds across this region to help rejuvenate the Monarch's migration and prevent its extinction. Logo:

3 Rifkin in Mexico- photo by Ellen Mycock

4 Many Monarchs in Michoacan- photo by Paul Rifkin

Monarch Video by Paul Rifkin- was shown at the Woods Hole Film Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

5 Monarch Video by Paul Rifkin- was shown at the Woods Hole Film Festival: Committee Contact info: Paul Rifkin- Chief home cell Reverend Nell Fields of the Waquoit Congregational Church- Spiritual adviser

6 Beth Bagley- Public relations, writer, editor- Beth came up with our motto "Got Milkweed?" Stan Ingram- Head gardener at the Coonamessett Farm in Hatchville, Chairman of the Falmouth Agriculture Commission Alison Robb- Naturalist, butterfly expert

monarch butterfly C FF0D25A82A97DEACB3168D29 Monarch Butterfly 1 / 6

monarch butterfly C FF0D25A82A97DEACB3168D29 Monarch Butterfly 1 / 6 Monarch Butterfly 1 / 6 2 / 6 3 / 6 Monarch Butterfly The fourth generation of monarch butterflies is a little bit different than the first three generations. The fourth generation is born in September