Elkhart Monarch Flyaway on Route 66 habitat stop opens

[June 14, 2021]    On Saturday, June 12, the village of Elkhart held its first ‘Monarch Flyway,’ a spring event with activities around downtown Elkhart.

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.

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.

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.



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.



Once the ribbon cutting was done, there were several other activities available such as a photo opportunity with a 6’ Monarch Butterfly.

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.



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.





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.

While in semi-hibernation west of Mexico City during their migration, butterflies cover the trees.

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.



At The Country Bumpkin visitors could watch a DVD to learn more about butterflies.

At other stations kids could make pollinator themed crafts, do butterfly dot art or puzzles or make honeycombs.





The Friends of the Elkhart Habitat and Sierra Club Illinois Chapter shared additional information on ways to protect monarchs and their habitats.





For hungry visitors, there was Clark’s Kettle Corn, the KONA Ice Truck, Mini Donuts, Corn Dogs and drinks.



Many families could be seen enjoying the Monarch Flyway Spring event and activities around downtown Elkhart.

[Angela Reiners]