Monarch butterflies, the Burk’s, and Wild Ones in local Times article

By Marcia Myers
Bog Editor, Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter

Monarch caterpillar
Photo by Besa Schweitzer

Monarch butterfles don’t care about state lines or country borders. For such seemingly fragile and lovely creatures, they travel between the continental United States and Mexico, with some as far north as Canada, on an amazing and difficult journey. Even under the best of circumstances, they brave challenging environmental conditions.

Unfortunately due to multiple factors including loss of habitat caused by human beings, monarch butterfly populations have decreased by 90 percent. Some wonderful organizations and dedicated individuals are working to increase awareness that if we don’t act quickly, we may lose a national and international treasure.

Susan Burk is one of those individuals who has taken on the task of raising monarch butterfly caterpillars. Her efforts were recognized and the local Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc. published an article, Local Naturalists Fight To Save The Monarch Butterfly, written by Mary Shapiro. Diana Linsley, who took the photos, is a new member of our Chapter.

Susan wrote a blog which was published on our website on April 26, “We need help raising abundance of early baby monarchs.” Also, we held our April 2017 monthly gathering at the Burk’s.

According to the article, “Seventeen people called, and more than 50 caterpillars were given away.”

Wild Ones is mentioned in the article and our Chapter President, Marsha Gebhardt is quoted. For more information on monarch butterflies, this fact sheet was compiled from Monarchjointventure.org and Monarchwatch.org.