Kenton County Extension Horticulture planted a Monarch Waystation in its Outdoor Education Center this spring. A waystation is a purposeful, planned garden habitat designed to provide larval host plants for Monarch egg-laying and larval development, and nectar and pollen-producing plants adult butterflies need. There is considerable science behind the pretty plantings—research into larval host nutrition, best plant species, insect mortality, adult feeding preferences, planting design and layout to make the garden less predator-friendly, and more.

There were three goals for the waystation. The first was to demonstrate design and function of a well-designed Monarch habitat—there is considerable public interest in this. The second was to expose children and adults to butterfly life cycles in situ. The third was to provide grade-school teachers and children with eggs and larvae to teach and illustrate biological concepts.

This garden started last fall as the current research was reviewed, the site prepared, layout designed, and plants and seeds ordered. This spring seeds were sown, and small plants installed. 

The garden was successful beyond expectations. Plants can be fickle, but despite deer and a few other glitches, plants grew and flowered, and the butterflies showed up. The plants kept growing and more butterflies came. As butterflies continued to arrive, there were so many larvae that some plants were chewed down to the nubs. Larvae had to be re-distributed to provide enough food—a good problem to have. As of October 10, there were flocks of monarchs gathering to refuel here as they headed south.

The gardens were timed for as much use as possible. The public was invited in; gardens were featured on the county’s annual Farm Tour open house; and the Horticulture Agent mentioned them during a TV spot. Other people saw the gardens as part of Master Gardener classes, an extension horticultural training, a Tri-state native bee class, and the season will culminate in a Monarch waystation planning and planting class at the end of the month. At least 200 persons saw the gardens during prime season when they were filled with butterflies and the milkweeds teeming with caterpillars. 

The most exposure for the gardens came at schools with a 4H-Horticulture collaboration. Michele Stanton (Hort) and Diane Kelley (4H) provided 70+ caterpillars and eggs (and milkweed) to 7 elementary schools. Because butterflies are beautiful and well-loved, they provide a non-threatening way to engage children in biology. At least 1,000 children, teachers and parents saw caterpillars munch their way through their growth stages to become chrysalids and emerge as new butterflies. Urban children with little exposure to the outdoors suddenly saw real life cycles up close. They learned about insects and their place in the animal kingdom; with that came animal life cycles, milkweeds and plant ecology, endangered species, geography and the connections between what goes on in northern Kentucky and far-away places such as central Mexico. One school placed the observation tank in a main hallway; children and teachers saw them on a daily basis over the 4-6 weeks it took for monarchs to grow and emerge.  Many children whose concept of wild animals previously meant Disney characters eagerly made daily checks and carefully watched their progress.

The Monarch waystation project was such a success that it will be expanded next year. Additional topics such as Monarch tagging will be taught on site. Milkweeds will be grown and given to teachers and schools to plant and grow on their lots and provide additional learning opportunities. All in all, it was a resounding success!