Feeding the Hungry

Metamorphosis: It is one of the first lessons we learn as children about the miraculous processes of nature. That a creepy crawly caterpillar can transform into a gorgeous, soaring butterfly … well, frankly, it's a better—and more easily demonstrated—rags to riches story than "The Ugly Duckling." This quiet evolutionary miracle is a windfall for butterfly enthusiasts, who are simultaneously trying to arrest, and raise awareness of, the plight of monarch butterflies, whose populations are precariously low. With such a spectacular creature in peril, it is easier for soldiers like Linda Auld—a New Orleans resident who has made it her mission to spread the word … and the seed that ultimately feeds the monarchs—to attract new recruits to the cause.

Monarch Watch, a research and conservation organization that provides information about monarchs in order to preserve their populations and migration routes in the face of shrinking habitats, conducts regular population assessments. This past January, the group released the following information on its website about the Eastern Monarchs' overwintering colonies in Mexico, which are limited exclusively to eleven to fourteen sites in the Transvolcanic Mountains:  

"Nine colonies were located this winter season with a total area of 1.13 hectares. Although this figure represents an improvement from the 0.67 hectares recorded last year, it’s the second lowest population on record and the third low population in as many years. Populations of this size are extremely vulnerable."

In other words, just two years ago, the monarch population was at its lowest recorded levels ever.

The goal of this group and its advocates is to grow the population in order that the species is not at such dire risk in the face of harsh winters and depleted forests. But there is one vital component that must be available in order for this to work: food.

The only food that monarchs eat is milkweed, which, as its name suggests, is considered a trash plant throughout the U.S. and Canada, through which the monarchs migrate starting in March. Milkweed is destroyed by herbicides and ousted by development, making the monarchs' spring journey a potentially calamitous trek. The best solution—the only solution—is to make sure there is milkweed. And making sure there is milkweed is what Linda Auld aims to do.

In an ironic intersection of occupation and interest, Linda Auld runs her family's pest control supply business in New Orleans; but during her off hours, she raises butterflies and moths. (Her memorable mission statement: "I sell death for pests but promote life for the rest!") For the past two years, she's been applying herself to the practical problem of providing food for migrating monarchs. Her efforts began in 2014 when a particularly sharp call to action by conservation groups got her attention. She wanted to buy some milkweed seed but discovered that Louisiana was the only state without a milkweed seed distributor. So she bought a pound of seed, created a label and packaging, and began to distribute her supply.   

In 2014, with the help of ten garden centers in New Orleans, Auld was able to distribute 120,000 seeds. She followed in the fall with garden installations at sixteen area schools, where students raised and tagged monarchs. This year, she has expanded her reach to all of South Louisiana, selling what she calls "passalong packs" at garden centers and nurseries in seven cities. Priced at $5, each pack contains three seed packets of twenty seeds each. The idea is that the purchaser will plant twenty seeds and pass along the other two packets to other people.

The seeds are Asclepias curassavica, commonly known as tropical milkweed, not one of Louisiana's thirty-three native varieties, but one considered by conservation groups a good alternative to natives because it is easy to plant and the most vigorously growing. (Although there are cautionary details that should be considered, as in all instances of introducing non-natives to a region: http://tinyurl.com/akufy2d.) The seeds do not require stratification (exposing to cold to simulate winter conditions), but can be started out of the pack with a moist paper towel placed in a Ziploc bag till they sprout or sown directly on scratched-up dirt (be sure not to cover them with dirt, though).

In addition to her expanded market, Auld has also partnered with the Louisiana Office of Tourism to grow milkweed at the state's welcome centers, and she also works with various botanical and horticultural organizations to help educate the public and get more milkweed in the ground.  

"This last year there's been an outcry nationwide of people who want to help," said Auld, "and its proven that through all of our efforts in 2014, that the population down in Mexico improved by 69 percent. That's very encouraging … . As long as we continue to plant more milkweed and provide these havens for these monarchs, I can see that the [populations are] going to increase because now there's public awareness."

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Where to get the seeds:

New Orleans Area
Jefferson Feed
Neighborhood Pet
Harold's Plants
Freret Garden Center
The Plant Gallery
Charvets Garden
Rose Garden Lapalco
Rose Garden Ctr.
Southern Gateway

Covington
Marsolan Feed

Folsom
Spencer's Feed

Baton Rouge
Clegg's Nursery
Naylor's Hdwe/Garden
Harb's Oasis            
Louisiana Nursery Outlet    
BREC Baton Rouge ZOO

Gonzales
Old Time Farm Supply

Hammond
Options, Inc.

Lafayette 
Wild Bird Unlimited