Saving the Monarch butterfly

DAYTON-A "Waystation" for the endangered Western Monarch butterfly is in early planning stages for a half-acre site at the Blue Mountain Station. With generous support from the Port of Columbia, a newly formed committee is working to make the Waystation and Pollinator Garden a reality.

Spring is here, and there is much to do. The committee is seeking community-wide participation from people with extensive gardening experience, as well as from youth groups and seniors. Financial support and material donations are also welcome.

Good progress is being made. The Port of Columbia will soon have the ground prepared and will install the irrigation system. Shasta daisies, Mexican Hat, Goldenrod, Blanket flower, Coneflower, Lobelia, and Sunflower seeds are getting a cozy start in the greenhouse at Dayton High School, thanks to Melanie Morgan's FFA students.

The idea for the project came from a September community town hall meeting hosted by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and the Dayton Development Task Force, when Dayton resident Kathy Ellsworth spoke about nationwide efforts to create habitats for Eastern and Western Monarchs. The Western Monarch population has declined by more than 95%, mainly due to habitat loss from land development and climate change.

The migration path of the butterfly includes this area, into the Columbia Basin, and as far north as the Canadian border. Not only butterflies, but pollinators and wildlife will benefit. The garden will attract visitors and will benefit the local economy.

The committee's contact person is Jeff Keating, who can be emailed at jeff.keating322@gmail.com.