How can you help? 

It's simple! Please sign this petition to save these vital pollinators!

The extinction of any species is disheartening and devastating, especially when entirely preventable.  Monarch butterflies are facing a severe decline, with their population dropping by over 80% in the last two decades.  In some areas, Monarchs have declined by 99%.  These iconic pollinators are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting ecosystems. Habitat loss, scarcity of native milkweed plants, pesticide use, and climate change are major threats to their survival.  Monarchs require milkweed and without it, they are likely to become extinct in our lifetime.  Their caterpillars only eat milkweed plants and Monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs.  

We urge New York State officials to implement stronger conservation measures, including protecting milkweed habitats, planting native milkweed and reducing pesticide usage. 

Considerations:

• Introduce native milkweed within NYS parks and along roads and highways.
• Provide milkweed plants or seeds to schools as means of habitat restoration and education.
• Offer environmentally friendly campaigns and volunteer opportunities within NYS parks to plant milkweed. 
• Provide seed packets to NYS park visitors and/or to Empire Pass holders.

Your assistance could make a significant difference in preserving the opportunity for future generations to marvel at the splendor of Monarch butterflies. These remarkable beings undertake a breathtaking migration voyage, with some traveling nearly 3000 miles. By offering support, we can aid them in their journey and contribute to their continued existence. They are truly extraordinary, and it's up to us to play our role in their conservation.

What can you do right NOW?  

Don't sit back and wait for change.  Be the change!

1. Plant native milkweed.  (Tropical Milkweed is not sufficient, it must be native to our area.)  To learn more about which Milkweed is native to New York, visit https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/19-029.pdf. 

These milkweeds are native to eastern North America and Long Island.

• Butterfly weed (A. tuberosa) - nice and compact with beautiful clusters of small orange flowers
• Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
• Swamp milkweed (A. incarnata)
• Whorled milkweed (A. verticillata)
• Poke milkweed (A. exaltata)

2. Talk to local nurseries and garden centers if you cannot find live plants or seeds.  Encourage them to sell native milkweed.

3. Select "New York" and connect with some native Milkweed suppliers in your area.  https://xerces.org/milkweed/milkweed-seed-finder#mwf_tool