Monarch Butterflies begin their annual fall migration in mid-August. What are some things I we can do to help monarchs at the local highway level?

Some things you can do to help Monarch butterflies include:

• Turn a portion of your ditch backslopes or other vacant land into a wildflower meadow—plant milkweed or other native wildflowers. 
• Delay mowing areas with milkweed  and wild flowers until later in the fall.
• Avoid using herbicides—they kill all life-stages of monarchs (egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult) except when highway safety justifies their use

Although it is important to preserve, enhance or create an adequate habitat. More importantly to the highway community is to maintain highway safety as a paramount, which would include keeping lines-of-sights clear and making traffic control devices are clearly visible.

Resources:

NYSDEC August Wildlife, Fish, & Marine Life Newsletter:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/bulletins/2ee6262

August, 21