SWCD’s annual milkweed pod collection underway
Monarch butterflies have made a comeback in population, but there is still work to be done. The Holmes Soil & Water Conservation District is now conducting its annual milkweed seed pod collection to help replenish the monarch’s sole food source.
Monarch butterflies have a tough enough life, dealing with a massive journey that takes them from the foothills of Holmes County and other northern areas all the way to South America, where they gather in masses each year.
However, due to a dwindling food supply of life-sustaining milkweed, the monarchs have found it even more difficult to eat, develop, grow and eventually crystalize and turn from caterpillars into beautiful orange and black butterflies.
Thus, the push is on to grow more patches of milkweed, and the Holmes Soil & Water Conservation District is making that happen again this year with its annual milkweed pod collection period.
Holmes Soil & Water Conservation District will collect milkweed pods on behalf of the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative at the Ag Service Center, 62 W. Clinton St., Millersburg.
A collection receptacle will be placed at the back door, which is accessible by driving through the parking lot behind the office. Pods can be dropped off at any time through Friday, Nov. 6.
“It’s such an important part of helping to create a more resilient number of monarchs,” said Karen Gotter, watershed coordinator for Killbuck Creek.
Since 2015 Ohio volunteers have collected over 5,000 gallons of common milkweed seed pods, totaling over 22 million seeds. Milkweed is the only host plant for the monarch butterfly for egg laying and caterpillar rearing. It also serves as a food source for adult monarchs and many other pollinator species. The disappearance of milkweed across the U.S. has contributed to the 80% decline of the eastern monarch butterfly population over the last 20 years.
Because much of the disappearing wildlife consisting of milkweed is man-made advancements in byways and other methods that have reduced the wildlife fields where milkweed thrives, it seems appropriate humankind now has the chance to reverse that trend.
While monarchs have been more plentiful in the area over the past couple of years, this year there have been much fewer reports of people seeing them in the wild. Gotter said there are a number of reasons that may be the case.
“It could be how strange the weather has been with such a late spring,” Gotter said. “Monarchs tend to travel to where their food sources are, and with spring coming here so late, it may be that they have stayed down south more. I think maybe we got a little spoiled with the numbers we have seen the past year or two, but this collection time remains very important in providing food and habitat for the monarchs.”
For a successful collection of milkweed pods, those wishing to participate in the program can follow these tips:
—Make sure that before you collect seed, you become familiar with the common milkweed plant to avoid harvesting pods from similar plants such as hemp dogbane and swamp milkweed.
—It is best to collect the pods when they are dry, grey or brown. “It is very important to follow this,” Gotter said.
—If the center seam pops with gentle pressure, they can be harvested.
—Store the pods in paper bags because plastic bags collect unwanted moisture.
—Keep the pods in a cool, dry area until you can deliver them.
In addition, the Holmes SWCD promotes other types of native plants to enhance the pollination from other insects that are every bit as important to agricultural success. Gotter said while it is easy to focus on the monarch because of its beauty and its story, many other insects need habitats to thrive as well.
“We definitely don’t want to miss out on creating areas for other pollinators to find a place to work their magic,” Gotter said.
The SWCD has created a pollination garden on the west side of its building, where black-eyed Susan, lavender and many other native wildlife plants are planted and tagged to identify them. This gives the public an opportunity to see a pollination garden and get some valuable insight into how they can create a beautiful garden that also creates a natural habitat for pollinating insects and even birds to collect pollen.
Gotter said purchasing seedlings and plants at local nurseries and greenhouses is inexpensive and worthwhile.
While the SWCD doesn’t have a program promoting these pollinator gardens, they will be happy to provide details and information on how to go about starting one, whether it is individuals, Scouting groups or other organizations and even businesses.
Holmes SWCD will collect pods now through Friday, Nov. 6. Visit the website at www.HolmesSWCD.com or the Facebook page for more information. Call the office at 330-674-SWCD ext. 3 or email holmes.swcd@gmail.com with any questions about the seed pod collection or the pollination gardens.