Look to the skies, Atlanta, the monarch butterflies are coming! You’ve probably seen photos of hundreds of monarch butterflies roosting on evergreen trees or in Milkweed flowers–and now you could see them right in your own backyard! And these beautiful orange butterflies need our help! Keep scrolling to see how you can help them on their migratory journeys from Canada to Mexico!
Wait… will the monarch butterflies be migrating through Georgia at all?
Yes! According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ,
Monarchs can be seen migrating across Georgia in the fall on their way to the mountains of Mexico and before returning to Georgia and states to the north in the spring. During fall migration, monarch butterflies may roost in large numbers in evergreen trees on cold nights following a day of strong migration.
How can I help the monarchs in their journey?
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service notes,
According to the 2023 annual survey (conducted by The National Commission of Protected Natural Areas in Mexico, the World Wildlife Fund Mexico and the World Wildlife Fund TELMEX Telcel Foundation Alliance), the eastern population of overwintering monarch butterflies was 50 percent lower than the previous year. This follows a decades-long decline in the population as a whole.
To help out, the department recommends planting native milkweed and native nectar plants with an “aim for diversity of species and bloom timing.” It’s very important to select NATIVE Georgia milkweed and nectar flowers… you don’t want to plant Common milkweed or Tropical milkweed, since they’re invasive/non-native and potentially harmful to the environment. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed, so it’s very important to have plenty around!
Follow up, then, what does native Georgia Milkweed look like?
Don’t get the wrong type of milkweed! Use this nifty guide to make sure you’re planting the right thing to help the butterflies!
Where can I see the monarch butterflies?
You might have to take a little trip from Atlanta if you really want to see the migration of the monarch butterflies. Below is a helpful chart so you can know where they’re headed to… and from!
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also wants you to notify them if you see migrating monarchs! Report when you see them here!
You can learn exactly how to identify them by watching this short video:
So enjoy the beautiful migration of the monarchs! And help out our beautiful butterflies on their journey!