SAVE endangered Monarch Butterfly. STOP cutting native milkweed. RESTORE monarch habitat.
Petition received 25,194 signatures as of December 31, 2023
Started by Inwood Butterfly Sanctuary
Save the Monarch Butterfly from Extinction
We must protect, preserve and restore the habitat of an endangered species.
NEW YORK CITY: SEPTEMBER 2021 The beauty of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) has inspired our marvel and imagination since childhood when they were once a common sight on a bright summer day. The mysterious miracle of metamorphosis is just one extraordinary aspect of the butterfly that is capable of migrating thousands of miles to find the same forest as its ancestors. Children today may never have the opportunity to see a monarch butterfly as this beloved species is critically endangered and headed for extinction. A modern-day canary in the coal mine, this indicator species is sensitive to changing conditions, a living signal of threats to our well-being and environmental health. We must pay attention to their warning as scientists now believe the species will soon become extinct at the present rate of population decline due, above all, to habitat loss.
Monarch butterflies rely on a particular host plant, native common milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) that is absolutely crucial for their survival. Monarchs will only lay eggs on milkweed, which has leaves that contain a substance that provides the larva, caterpillars, and adult butterflies with a primary defense from their many predators. Without milkweed, monarchs will not survive.
A few weeks ago the NYC Parks Department grounds crew unwittingly destroyed the most extensive and important monarch habitat in Northern Manhattan. Despite several formal notifications to administration regarding the importance of preserving this colony of native common milkweed, located south of the Dyckman Marina, it has been clear cut at the worst moment as the "super generation" monarchs hosted there were in the final phase of development preparing to make the longest migration of any insect. And now they have been decimated as the entire milkweed colony has been cut to the ground.
- Stop the indiscriminate clear-cutting of common milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) and restore native habitat for threatened Monarch Butterflies.
- Educate NYC Parks & Recreation lawn crew about the importance of preserving milkweed.
- Install protective barriers/range fence and signage to protect native milkweed colonies.
- Restore and relocate stem-for-stem naturally occurring common milkweed that is inadvertently cut or intentionally removed.
- Increase native habitat by growing monarch butterfly "waystation" gardens according to guidelines set forth by the nationally recognized conservation program, Monarch Watch, University of Kansas.
- Maintain and stabilize established milkweed colonies. Manage adjacent plantings and help control invasive insects, vines, and plants.
- Administer a city-wide survey to track, document, and assess native milkweed in New York City.
- Eliminate spraying insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, and other "shotgun" approaches to pest management where more targeted approaches are feasible.
Please help us call attention to an issue of critical importance. Habitat loss is the primary reason the monarch butterflies may soon be extinct. We must follow the examples of other cities and municipalities around the country that have made significant efforts to restore the native habitat of a threatened species of butterfly and pollinator.
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Decision Makers petition shared with at 25,000 signatures
New York City Council
Make your petition known to New York City Council
Corey Johnson
New York City Council Speaker
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
U.S. House of Representatives - New York 14th Congressional District
NYC Parks & Recreation Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff
Kirsten E. Gillibrand
U.S. Senator
https://www.change.org/p/new-york-city-council-save-endangered-monarch-butterfly-stop-cutting-native-milkweed-restore-monarch-habitat
