Hinsdale Monarch Project

Making a Difference
for Monarchs

We assemble monarch habitats that are on display at key locations throughout the community, including libraries and community centers. The habitats contain monarch caterpillars and show their transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Due to habitat loss, increased use of pesticides and climate changes, the monarch population has seen a decline of up to 90%. One way to help the monarchs is to restore their habitat by engaging communities in recovery efforts and empowering people to grow native plants like milkweed and nectar plants. The good news is that creating habitat for monarchs also benefits many other important pollinator species by providing nectar and host plants.

By offering ways to experience the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, we hope to encourage others in our community to join the Hinsdale Monarch Project in promoting awareness and supporting the restoration of natural habitats. Even small efforts like backyard pollinator gardens help make a difference!

what we do

Check out some of
our habitat displays

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Learn about the life cycle
of the monarch butterfly

The Hungry caterpillar!

WHY ARE POLLINATORS IMPORTANT?

How can you
make a difference?

Plant Milkweed!

Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed, the only host plant for this iconic butterfly species. As such, milkweed is critical for the survival of monarchs. Without it, they cannot complete their lifecycle and the monarch population risk decline.

Support monarch conservation efforts!

There are a number of monarch conservation efforts underway. Please consider donating to support these monarch conservation programs.

Donate

Encourage public land managers to create monarch habitat!

Roadsides and parks of all sizes offer great opportunities to create habitat for monarchs and other pollinators. Check out the Rotary Club of Hinsdale pollination efforts!

Learn More

Plant Nectar Plants!

Monarchs need nectar to provide energy for breeding, for their migratory journey and to build reserves for the long winter. Include butterfly plants in your garden and avoid using pesticides.

Find Plants

Join citizen-science efforts to track monarch populations!

The data collected by hundreds
of citizen scientists across the country are used by monarch scientists to decipher monarch population trends, and to learn more about what might be driving their numbers from year to year.

Get Started