With a 90% decline in the monarch butterfly population in just the last few decades, Hillsborough Township is doing their part in efforts to essentially “save the monarch butterfly.”
Hillsborough Mayor John Ciccarelli proclaimed May as “May for Milkweeds” month at a Township Committee meeting in March.
“In recent years, migrating Monarch populations in New Jersey and across the United States have dwindled to an alarming decline, according to scientists,” Ciccarelli said. “A major cause of decline is the widespread loss of the milkweed plant, the only plant on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs.”
To help save the monarch butterfly, Hillsborough is partnering with James Buschong, a resident and president of the Neshanic Garden Club, to raise awareness of its plight by planting ecology gardens and encouraging residents to do the same.
Buschong had approached the township Parks and Recreation Department “to discuss strategies to develop and implement planting beds that benefit monarch butterflies and awareness campaigns to educate the public,” said Parks Supervisor John Crossen.
To kickstart those efforts Buschong joined Ciccarelli in planting milkweed and flowers “that are extremely attractive specifically to monarchs” at a model garden in front of the municipal building.
The planting was captured in a recent segment of Ask the Mayor.
“We can really help bring [the monarch butterfly] back if we choose the right plants for gardens,” Buschong said. “This is a wonderful model garden that we are just getting started. It will specifically help the monarch butterfly which is in really serious trouble.”
Nectar source pollinators also serves as what are called host plants, Buschong said, which means those pollinators can lay those eggs on plants and raise their young.
“It’s designed to really help hundreds of different pollinator species that really need help because of habitat loss,” he said.
Ciccarelli said with Buschong’s efforts they are beginning a townwide effort with the parks department.
“We will be doing these gardens at other locations here at the municipal building as well as various parks throughout town,” he said. “It’s a great way to kick off the effort in saving the monarch butterfly. There will be more information about the native plants that ‘you can plant around your house as well.'”
In addition to planting ecology gardens, Hillsborough will also be sharing information with the community to raise awareness and encourage residents to plant their own beneficial ecology gardens, including an educational session at Ann Van Middlesworth Park. Local nurseries are sponsoring the effort.
Look for more announcements from Hillsborough Township as they join with the community to help elevate the monarch butterfly population.
