MONTICELLO, Ill. – Monarch butterflies are a remarkable species. Each year, they migrate to places as far as the mountains of Central Mexico to the California coast. Yet, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife, North America’s monarch population has steadily declined over the past two decades. One of nature’s beautiful pollinators necessary to our ecosystem faces many threats, including habitat loss. But we can help.

Monarch Butterfly Workshop with Piatt County Master Gardeners will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Piatt County Extension, 210 S. Market St., Monticello, Ill. This free workshop covers identification, life cycle, habits in the landscape, and supportive garden plants.

Register by Aug. 15 at go.illinois.edu/MonarchWorkshop or call 217-762-2191. For more information, please contact Beth Miglin, horticulture Extension coordinator, at bmiglin@illinois.edu or call 217-762-2191.

The horticulture program is a branch of University of Illinois Extension that provides research-based information and training about soil testing, tree health, lawn care, pest identification and control, vegetable gardening, and more. The horticulture program also provides Master Gardener training. Find DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Extension Master Gardeners and Horticulture on Facebook.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact 217-762-2191. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

Source: Beth Miglin, Horticulture Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension

Writer: Laura Crider, Marketing and Communications, University of Illinois Extension