Did you know that the monarch butterfly population has dropped 97% since the turn of the century? Did you know that the U.S. government is considering whether they're an endangered species?
Why? Anyone who has seen those black/white/yellow-striped caterpillars knows that they eat milkweed. However, it's a plant with toxins and has been destroyed for use of the land in which it grows. This deforestation of the monarch's feeding and breeding grounds along their migration route means that many perish without reproducing.

Morris Farm’s First Monday class on July 1 will be about butterfly gardening and will focus on creating a refuge for these butterflies. By showing you the combinations of native milkweeds on which they lay their eggs, other food-rich flowers, and their favored conditions of water and shelter, we give you the building blocks to help the monarch make a comeback.

This class will have an interactive setting, and nominal fee of $5 to cover materials will be charged. We will send you home with common milkweed plugs to get your garden started. Light refreshment will be served and instructors will stay as long as there are questions.

For more information, call 882-4080 or visit www.morrisfarm.org