Syngenta partners with Monarch Joint Venture to support efforts to protect and enhance habitat across North America for pollinators like the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). (Photo by Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 US)

By Caydee Savinelli, Ph.D.

Editor’s Note: This Entomology Today post is a sponsored article contributed by Syngenta, a Gold Corporate Partner of the Entomological Society of America. Views presented in sponsored posts reflect those of partner organizations and not necessarily those of ESA. Learn more about Syngenta and the ESA Corporate Partner program.

Each year around this time, monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) partake in an incredible migration of more than 3,000 miles from the U.S. to Mexico. These iconic creatures serve as a flagship species for butterfly conservation efforts across North America.

By planting milkweed and native plants, farmers, landowners, and communities can do their part to protect monarch populations. These same resources also help support other pollinators, like bees and beneficial insects, that in turn support crop production. This is a small yet mighty example of how conservation and agriculture go hand in hand.

Creating pollinator habitats in local communities and at home helps support conservation efforts:

Step 1: Pick the Perfect Spot

When determining the location of your pollinator garden, be on the lookout for areas with plenty of sunlight, access to water, and weed control materials such as mulch.

Step 2: Select Your Seeds

Consider using a mix of native species with varying bloom times, including milkweed, to provide a consistent food source and safe habitat from spring through fall.

Step 3: Establish Your Site

Once you’ve pinpointed the perfect spot and gathered your seeds, it’s time to remove leaves, weeds, and other debris from the area. If you’re working with a smaller site, scatter seeds by hand. Consider seeding generously to help promote strong establishment and coverage. Once your seeds have been planted, cover them with one-quarter to one-half inch of soil and water them thoroughly.

Step 4: Grow Your Garden

Now that you’ve planted your garden, it’s time to maintain it. Consider incorporating mulch to prevent weeds and let natural predators control pests. Be patient and take notes for next year!

Collaborative initiatives involving farmers, landowners, and industry organizations can help expand pollinator habitat protection and biodiversity at a larger scale. Through our partnership with Monarch Joint Venture, a national conservation nonprofit implementing science-based conservation actions for monarch butterflies and other pollinators, Syngenta supports efforts to protect and enhance pollinator habitat across North America.

Watch the video to learn how we collaborate to help protect, preserve and restore local monarch butterfly populations:

Caydee Savinelli, Ph.D., is stewardship team and pollinator lead at Syngenta. Email: [email protected].

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