Elkhart Monarch Flyaway on Route
66 habitat stop opens
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[June 14, 2021]
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On Saturday, June 12, the village of Elkhart held its first ‘Monarch
Flyway,’ a spring event with activities around downtown Elkhart.
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The day’s events began with a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially
open the “Elkhart Monarch Flyway” Native Plant and Pollinator
Habitat at the corner of Route 66 and Governor Oglesby Street.
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The event was part of the debut of the Monarchs of Route 66. Elkhart
is located within the Route 66 Monarch Flyway, a 200-mile-long
corridor of monarch habitats across Illinois.
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Illinois Department of Transportation Roadside Management Resource
Specialist Erin Holmes said this project is in phase one, the
chrysalis phase.
The Monarch butterfly is the state insect of Illinois. In recent
years there has been an 80 percent decline in the butterfly
population. During National Pollinator Week June 21-27, Holmes and
others will do several virtual programs through Midewin National
Tallgrass Prairie and Partners to highlight what can be done to
improve the natural habitats for pollinators.
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A resolution signed by village of Elkhart President Lyle Fout
encouraged residents to make a difference for monarchs and help them
flourish again by planting native milkweed and nectar plants.
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Once the ribbon cutting was done, there were several other
activities available such as a photo opportunity with a 6’ Monarch
Butterfly.
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At the Habitat, people could also tour the native plants and pick up
a free Native Plant Kit. Planting milkweed and other native plants
provides food, water and cover for pollinators. Monarchs also lay
their eggs on these plants.
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Those who headed further downtown could also meet Rhonda Brady,
“Miss Mariposa” the Butterfly Lady, in her bus, a colorful mobile
classroom and greenhouse on wheels.
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The bus had information about the life cycle of the butterfly and a
map showing the migration of monarch butterflies.
Mesh containers held chrysalis that would soon become butterflies.
The butterfly lady explained the monarch life cycle from egg to
caterpillar (larva) to chrysalis (pupa) to butterfly (adult) and the
lengths of each cycle. Monarch butterflies are cold blooded, relying
on the sun for warmth and flying only during warm sunny weather.
Their lifespan is four to five weeks.
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While in semi-hibernation west of Mexico City during their
migration, butterflies cover the trees.
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The butterfly lady said she wants her grandkids to see more than
just specimens of monarch butterflies. If the butterfly populations
can survive, we can have three generations per year here in
Illinois.
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At The Country Bumpkin visitors could watch a DVD to learn more
about butterflies.
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At other stations kids could make pollinator themed crafts, do
butterfly dot art or puzzles or make honeycombs.
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The Friends of the Elkhart Habitat and Sierra Club Illinois Chapter
shared additional information on ways to protect monarchs and their
habitats.
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For hungry visitors, there was Clark’s Kettle Corn, the KONA Ice
Truck, Mini Donuts, Corn Dogs and drinks.
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Many families could be seen enjoying the Monarch Flyway Spring event
and activities around downtown Elkhart.
[Angela Reiners] |