Did you hear that Monarch butterflies were declared endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature on July 21st? These beautiful majestic butterflies, easy to identify thanks to their iconic orange wings with black veins, are now on their way to extinction if we don’t take measures to protect their habitats 🙁
I found out about this recent development through my partnership with True Leaf Market (you can read more about it here), who have been sharing info on ways to help this struggling population to recover “by providing safe host plants for these butterflies to find refuge.” Indeed, True Leaf Market have put together a “Save the Monarchs” seed collection, which features more than 100,000 seeds of 13 beneficial wildflowers such as milkweed, cone flower, zinnia, sunflower, and verbena. These seeds are tolerant to drought, heat, and poor soils – plus, 10% of the purchase goes to Monarch Joint Venture, whose aim is to conserve the Monarch butterfly migration. According to True Leaf Market, Monarch Joint Venture partnerships include “federal and state agencies, other nonprofits, community groups, businesses, and academic programs that work together to implement science-based conservation actions in the form of education, habitat, and science.”
I am showcasing my love for Monarch butterflies in this scrumptious edible flower salad, which features nasturtium, cone flower and pink dianthus petals, Swiss chard, marinated tofu, chives, pumpkin seeds, and beet microgreens.
All of these flowers can help the Monarch butterflies. We have been lucky to enjoy a plentiful garden, which I intend to grow bigger by populating it with even more Monarch-loving plants, using the True Leaf Market seed mix in the process. You can shop True Leaf Market here.
Have you seen Monarch butterflies recently? I have not. In previous years I would see them all summer long, and I would marvel at their breathtaking beauty. Let me know in the comments!
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