As monarch butterflies grow/mature, they feed on milkweed.  Over the past few decades, the milkweed plant has been removed from much of the habitat in our area.  Russell Co. 4-H members worked on a project in September and October to help restore monarch habitat in places where milkweed could grow but not be planted on farmland.

Over 200 youth in 4^th grade learned about insect anatomy, insect diversity, and incomplete and complete metamorphosis.  During the activity, they were led in a discussion about habitat restoration that would benefit monarch butterflies in their yearly migration across the United States.  As part of the program, the youth colored a monarch butterfly.  On the backs of each butterfly artwork were placed a packet of common milkweed seeds with instructions on planting for winter stratification and information on creating monarch way-stations. 

Three entities in Russell County collaborated with the initiative to have an art instillation of the butterflies for the community members to pick up the seeds to create habitat restoration.  The collaborating entities were the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Russell County Public Library, and the Russell County Judge Executive’s office. The artwork was installed in late September.  Within three weeks most of the butterflies and milkweed seed were taken by community members.  This project was promoted by the local radio station and across Extension, the hatchery, and the library’s social media outlets.  The project was well-received by the community, and we hope to report habitat restoration and multiple way-stations in a few years.