News Summary
The Villa Terrace Museum & Gardens in Milwaukee invites the public to join its 7th annual monarch butterfly release and celebration on Labor Day. This event aims to support the migratory journey of monarchs to Mexico while educating attendees about their life cycle and migration patterns. Volunteers rear monarchs to improve survival rates, and participants can learn how to plant essential milkweed to sustain these butterflies and other pollinators. The importance of milkweed as a critical food source is highlighted, alongside conservation efforts within the community.
Milwaukee – The Villa Terrace Museum & Gardens is inviting the public to participate in its 7th annual monarch butterfly release and celebration on Labor Day, aimed at supporting the migratory journey of these fragile insects from Lake Michigan to Mexico. The event will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about the life cycle and migration patterns of monarch butterflies while participating in tagging activities before the butterflies are set free.
According to organizers, this engaging event seeks to educate visitors about the intricate process of monarch migration. A significant point highlighted is that during the fall migration, monarchs leave in large numbers and typically arrive in Angangueo, Mexico, by November 1st. To prepare for the event, volunteers such as Shelly Culea rear monarchs from eggs collected in the Wisconsin wild, significantly improving their chances of survival as only about 1 in 100 monarch eggs survive to become butterflies in their natural environment.
In the wild, monarch caterpillars primarily consume milkweed leaves, which are essential for their development but also expose them to risks from habitat loss and chemical herbicides. The Villa Terrace Museum’s pollinator garden is home to a variety of wildflower species, including 12 types of milkweed native to Wisconsin. At the Labor Day event, individuals will also be informed about how they can plant food sources to help sustain both monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Maintaining habitats with milkweed is critical for the survival of monarchs, as this plant serves not only as the main source of nourishment for caterpillars but also supports various other pollinators. Attendees will gain insights into the UNESCO Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, which is a vital wintering site for millions of butterflies.
Tagged monarch butterflies that are later discovered in Mexico are registered with the University of Kansas Monarch Watch research program, providing vital data on the migration patterns and population health of these species. The Villa Terrace Museum and Gardens will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the end of September. Notably, there is no admission fee on the garden’s closing day, September 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The importance of milkweed in supporting monarch reproduction has not gone unnoticed; the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has designated it as the “Plant Species of the Year.” In Wisconsin, there are 13 native milkweed species, with five recognized as either endangered or threatened. Monarchs face numerous challenges that jeopardize their populations, including habitat loss, pesticide usage, and climate change, all of which contribute to a significant decline in their numbers.
A recent survey conducted by the World Wildlife Foundation reported that the eastern monarch butterfly population wintering in Mexico covered only 4.42 acres, indicating a marked decline from prior years. Although counts for this year suggested an increase in population, overall numbers are still approximately 80% lower than the thresholds required to prevent migratory collapse.
The Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative emphasizes the need for planting milkweed to support both monarch butterflies and the larger butterfly population. Different milkweed species can thrive in diverse landscapes, catering to homes with varying soil types and sun exposure. Furthermore, the village of Elm Grove has actively participated in conservation efforts by planting milkweed at more than 305 properties and aiming for 400 by the end of the year.
Monarchs have specific habitat requirements, needing both milkweed for their larval stage and nectar plants for adults. The conditions that promote ideal habitats for these butterflies include the absence of harmful pesticides and the availability of both milkweed and flowering plants, ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations of monarchs.
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Additional Resources
- WTMJ: Labor Day Butterfly Release at Villa Terrace
- Wikipedia: Monarch Butterfly
- Urban Milwaukee: Milkweed is Wisconsin’s Plant Species of the Year
- Google Search: Milkweed Importance
- WUWM: Monarch Butterfly Population Rebounds
- Google Scholar: Monarch Butterfly Conservation
- Spectrum News 1: Conservation Leaders Track Monarch Butterflies
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Monarch Butterfly
- Urban Milwaukee: DNR Announces Milkweed as 2025 Plant Species of the Year
- Google News: Monarch Butterfly Population
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
