N A T U R A L
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OUTSIDE
W O R L D
Monarch butterflies need your green thumb
GO HERE By Megan Burton
Courtesy Bend Trail Series
Growing and planting milkweed can help
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Deschutes Land Trust
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s spring draws nearer by the day, many people in Central Oregon start to get eager for the resumption of warm weather and springtime habits. For some, gardening tops that list, and they jump the season by starting garden seeds indoors. Tomatoes and other vegetables are the usual suspects, but this year, why not add in a few native milkweed seeds to help out our local monarch butterfly population? There are two kinds of milkweed native to Central Oregon: showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) and narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis). Both kinds were historically found throughout Central Oregon, but are now very limited in their range. Planting more native milkweed in Central Oregon can help the iconic Western monarch butterfly survive into the future. What?! We have monarch butterflies in Central Oregon? Yep! Central Oregon is within the migratory range of the Western monarch butterfly. Many know this bright orange-and-black butterfly because of its amazing migration from North America south to Mexico. Our monarchs, however, are a separate species from the ones that migrate to Mexico. They live only in the Western U.S. and make their migration from the Northwest to overwinter in California. Monarch butterflies, like many butterflies, rely on certain host plants as food sources and for egg laying and rearing. Milkweed is the host plant that monarch butterflies use for egg laying and then for providing the food young butterflies need once they emerge as caterpillars. Sadly, the Western monarch butterfly population has seen a steep decline in recent years. This past year, according to the Xerces Society, only 1,900 butterflies were spotted at overwintering grounds in California—down from 192,000 in
Catch some views while racking up the miles with the Bend Trail Race Series, coming this summer.
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Native showy milkweed in full bloom.
2017—and a 99.9% decline since the 1980s! The primary reason? Loss of habitat at overwintering grounds and along their migratory pathways where milkweed was once more abundant. The good news is that people can help the struggling Western monarch butterfly by simply planting milkweed in their yards, gardens, or even in pots on their patios! And now it the time to get those seeds started. Here are a few tips to help grow and plant milkweed successfully: Plant and grow ONLY native milkweed (the two varieties above). Non-native milkweed is sometimes sold at local garden stores and it can actually harm our species of monarch butterflies. Get your milkweed seeds and seed growing tips from the Deschutes Land Trust and buy your milkweed plants later this spring at a native plant nursery like Wintercreek Nursery. Plant three to six milkweed plants together—preferably a combination of Deschutes Land Trust
A Western monarch butterfly on native showy milkweed.
showy and narrowleaf to help provide enough egg-laying space and food for newly emerged caterpillars. Learn more about what milkweed needs to thrive. Showy milkweed likes full sun and medium water. Narrowleaf also likes full sun but prefers well-drained soil and is more drought tolerant. Both species spread via rhizomes—so plant them where they have the room to spread! Tend your milkweed once it is planted. Native plants (even drought-tolerant ones) will need regular watering in order to establish their roots. This can sometimes take a couple of years. Once their roots are established, they won’t need as much water and should thrive in our Central Oregon climate. Milkweed also doesn’t like competition (from weeds or other plants), so make sure you give it enough space to thrive. Bonus: Plant other pollinator-friendly native plants with your milkweed! Create a monarch garden by adding other plants to your milkweed that provide nectar for monarchs and bees and other butterflies. Choose a variety of blooms that stretch from early spring through fall and use only native plants that haven’t been treated with neonicotinoids (an insecticide often found on nursery plants and extremely harmful to pollinators). Spring is coming! Seed starting offers a great window into the season and planting milkweed is one of those little steps we can all take to make the world a little better for monarch butterflies. Happy planting! -Sarah Mowry is the Deschutes Land Trust’s Outreach Director. She has worked for the Land Trust since 2005 and leads its communications and community engagement efforts.
It’s no secret that Central Oregon is packed with outdoor adventure and activities. From downhill freestyle skiing, bouldering at Smith Rock and hiking some of the most impressive mountains around, locals and visitors alike are sure to get their heart racing. For those looking to loosen up while keeping it moving, the Bend Trail Race Series has just the thing for you. Four chill Thursday evening trail runs await those who decide to tackle this racing series. Registration opens March 1, but the races won’t be held until late summer and early fall with distances and courses set only the week before you get out there. Runners can expect each course to be between 4-7 miles in distance with varying terrain and plenty of those spectacular Central Oregon views. In addition to a quick trail run on a cool summer evening, runners are also entered to win all kinds of prizes and gear from the series sponsors. Complete at least three of the runs to be included in their overall Series standings. Plus, there will hopefully be a celebration immediately after the final run at 10 Barrel’s Eastside location. The post-series festivities will include raffle prizes, awards to winners and plenty of well-justified beer and pizza. The Bend Trail Race Series is placing all registrants on a waitlist until confirmation of COVID-19 protocols. You won’t be charged for the race series until they confirm your spot. Bend Trail Series
Aug. 12- Sep. 23 gobeyondracing.com/races/bend-trail-series $70 for all four races
VOLUME 25 ISSUE 08 / FEBRUARY 25, 2021 / THE SOURCE WEEKLY
By Sarah Mowry