Kentucky Monarch Conservation Plan - Kentucky Fish and Wildlife
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Monarch
Kentucky
Photo © Mike Matthews
Conservation Plan
Dedication
This plan is dedicated to Mary Carol Cooper,
director of the Native Plant Program at Salato
Wildlife Education Center and employee from
4/7/1997 through 12/31/2010. Mary Carol
Cooper’s passion for native plant and pollinator
conservation in Kentucky inspired all who knew
her. Her legacy of conservation will live on forever
in our backyard gardens and in our hearts.
Dave Baker photo
Executive Summary
from the eastern North Ameri- pesticides, natural enemies, and other an-
can population, long known thropogenic factors. Some of these factors
to migrate “somewhere” to are beyond our scope of control in Ken-
southern destinations, were tucky and will not be addressed here, but
overwintering by the millions more information is available on the MJV
in the oyamel forests of the Si- website at: http://monarchjointventure.org/
— Ellis Laudermilk erra Madre Mountains in Mexico. Tragi- threats/. Without significant changes in
cally, only forty years later, this annual the way humans manage the landscape
T
HE MONARCH BUTTER- phenomenon is now in serious jeopardy and a concerted effort by citizens across
FLY (Danaus plexippus) is one due to the precipitous crash of the mon- Canada, Mexico, and the United States,
of the most recognized and be- arch population. future generations may not bear witness to
loved species in the world. Children and In fact, monarchs have declined by one of the greatest migrations on Earth.
adults alike are drawn to this beautiful approximately 90% over the last 20 years As is the case with many other spe-
and iconic species with its striking or- (Monarch Joint Venture, 2017), and by as cies, habitat loss and alteration are the
ange wings and black venation. Once a much as 97% from the highest popula- primary culprits threatening monarchs.
familiar backyard species, the monarch tion estimates in the winter of 1996-97. These can be addressed, at least to some
was widespread, abundant, and easily This massive decline in numbers can be degree, in Kentucky. What are these habi-
observed. Countless schoolchildren have attributed to numerous obstacles faced tat changes and why did they suddenly
learned the butterfly life cycle by rearing by the species. Monarch Joint Venture affect monarchs so drastically? What
monarchs in their classrooms or at home. (MJV) identifies six major categories of are the other factors contributing to the
In 1975, admiration for the monarch threats to monarchs: breeding habitat loss, declines that Kentucky citizens can ad-
grew when it was discovered that adults overwintering habitat loss, climate change, dress? To answer these questions, we need
Executive summary
to start by explaining what is required to eration enters a reproductive diapause winter months where they reproduce on
complete the monarch life cycle and what (suspended development) in late summer non-native tropical milkweeds. Monarchs
kind of habitat restoration must take place or early fall. This includes the majority of west of the Rocky Mountains spend the
for their survival. adult monarch butterflies in eastern North winter along the California coast, though
The next generation of monarchs be- America at this time, which then begin a a small subset of this population will also
gins when females lay eggs on host plants, southward migration to the Sierra Madre make the trek to Mexico.
specifically various milkweed species Mountains in the States of Mexico and In February, the adults in Mexico be-
(Asclepias spp.), which is the required food Michoacán, Mexico. Along the journey, gin to mate and start their journey to the
source for the caterpillars that emerge adult monarchs must find safe havens to U.S. and Canada. Like the journey south,
from those eggs. Monarchs must have spend the night, more flowers to provide they need to find shelter and flowers for
milkweeds to complete their life cycle nectar for flight, and avoid collisions with fuel, but this time there is the added pres-
and without them, they cannot survive. In vehicles, wind turbines, and other ob- sure of finding milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) so
approximately 4-6 days, the eggs laid on stacles they may encounter. they can lay their eggs for the next genera-
the milkweeds hatch, and the caterpillars This journey is perilous with countless tion. It is critical the monarchs soon find
begin to feed on the plant’s leaves. After losses, but each year millions of butterflies milkweed after leaving their winter grounds
about 9-13 days, the caterpillars each form defy the odds and reach their destina- in Mexico, because the adults that begin
a chrysalis where the pupa undergoes its tion in Mexico. These incredible monarch the journey north do not reach the most
transformation into an adult, a process adults then overwinter in the same oyamel northern destinations of the species’ sum-
spanning another 8-12 days. Upon emer- forests on the mountaintops their ances- mer range. Just as the individuals from last
gence, the adults must find flowers so they tors used, at elevations of approximately summer’s, non-reproductive generation mi-
can consume nectar for fuel and begin the 10,000 feet. Some eastern individuals join raculously knew when to begin the journey
life cycle all over again. the southern Florida non-migratory pop- south and where to go in Mexico, the off-
One generation, typically the fourth ulation, while others remain in the south- spring from the eggs laid along the spring
produced each year, is special. This gen- ern U.S. in a reproductive state during migration route continue the journey north
KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN 1
Executive summary
to destinations they have never been before. croplands in Iowa, an im-
At one time, milkweeds were wide- portant state within the
spread and abundant because sustainable monarch’s breeding range,
land use practices were commonplace, lost 98.7% of its milkweed
facilitating the monarch female’s search from 1999 to 2012. Dur-
for host plants. In Kentucky, small fam- ing this same time pe-
ily farms were the norm, and milkweed riod, an estimated 64% of
often grew among the row crops, pastures, milkweeds were lost from
fencerows, and field edges. Fallow fields the entire Midwest, an
were also common as crop rotation was a area crucial for monarch
standard practice. Bush hogs weren’t near- reproduction. The petition
ly as prevalent, and zero-turn mowers had also stated that milkweeds
not yet been invented, so neatly trimmed in croplands produce
farms were uncommon. Today, fallow monarchs at a rate nearly
fields are rare. Manicured landscapes with four times higher than
little habitat beneficial to monarchs, other plants in other settings, so
pollinators, or even wildlife in general losses in croplands have a
have proliferated. disproportionate impact
Use of extensive mowing and her- on monarchs. According
bicides targeting milkweed species has to the petition, the losses
increased over the past several decades for translated into an estimat-
a multitude of reasons. Some species of ed 88% fewer monarchs
milkweed contain substances called carde- in the region in 2012 than
nolides, which are toxic to livestock. Often were produced in 1999.
efforts to eradicate milkweed are not con- Natural enemies and Monarch caterpillar on common
tained only to production fields, resulting exotic species introduc- milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
in farm-scale control of milkweed species. tions are also playing a role
USFWS photo
Furthermore, in 1996 and 1998, in the loss of monarchs.
respectively, Genetically Modified Or- Monarch larvae and eggs are particularly contribute to the stresses on monarchs by
ganisms (GMOs) in the form of herbi- vulnerable to predation. According to weakening individuals and having negative
cide- resistant soybeans and corn were MJV, only about 5% of monarchs reach impacts on survival, mass, reproduction,
developed. The corn and soybeans were the last larval instar. Native predators and the resources needed for migration.
resistant to the herbicide, but all other such as ants, spiders, true bugs, beetles, One of the best known monarch parasites
plants and weeds were not. These varieties and lacewing larvae are known predators is a protozoan called Ophryocystis elektros-
of herbicide-resistant corn and soybeans of monarch eggs and larvae, but exotic chirra, or OE. This parasite has a higher
represent approximately 90% of soybeans predators such as Chinese mantids are also occurrence in monarch populations that
and 80% of corn now grown in the U.S taking a toll. The monarch larval stage in do not migrate, such as the one in Florida,
(Forbes Magazine), and require specific particular is also vulnerable to parasitoids. and may be exacerbated in areas with ex-
herbicides (toxic to milkweeds). As a Parasitoids are organisms that require de- otic milkweeds that grow year-round.
result of the widespread use of these her- velopment inside or on a host to complete
bicides and over-spray into fencerows and their life cycle, eventually killing the host. Bringing Back
field edges, milkweed and other beneficial The larval stage is the most common tar- the Monarch
pollinator plants, once so abundant, began get for parasitoids. MJV suggests that at A concerted effort is needed to recov-
to disappear at an alarmingly fast rate. least twelve tachinid flies and one braco- er monarch populations, not just for the
Consequently, it has been estimated nid wasp species are known monarch par- sake of safeguarding biodiversity, but also
that more than one billion milkweed asitoids. A native pupal parasitoid, Pterom- to ensure food security and food supply
stems have been lost from the breeding alus cassotis, was recently re-discovered, but stability. Monarchs and other pollinators
range of the monarch in eastern North little is known about the effect it has on contribute greatly to food supplies and
America, primarily because of habitat monarch populations. Parasitoids are used economies. Native pollinators contribute
loss or alteration. Due to the rapid and as well-meaning biological control agents over $24 Billion to the U.S. economy via
severe declines in monarch numbers, an for unwanted pests, but they often have agricultural production benefits (pollina-
Endangered Species Act Petition to list harmful effects on non-target species like tion). With more than 90% of Kentucky’s
the monarch as a threatened species was monarchs and other pollinators. Although nearly 26 million acres privately owned,
filed in 2014. The petition stated that not usually fatal per se, parasites also private lands management will be a critical
2 KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN
Executive summary
Joint Venture, Monarch Watch, Wild
Ones, and garden clubs, including some
here in Kentucky, were already working to
restore monarch habitat.
The first step for developing a Ken-
tucky plan was to identify the key part-
ners in the state, bring them together,
identify the problems, and develop next
step solutions to increase monarch num-
bers. In February of 2016 a one-day
“Kentucky Monarch Summit” was held
in Frankfort and representatives from
approximately 40 state and federal agen-
cies and non-government organizations
attended. Presentations were given to
highlight the needs of and threats to the
monarch, as well as current recovery ef-
forts, to ensure that everyone had a clear
understanding of what needed to be
done. Participants were asked to com-
Adult on plete a questionnaire for expediting mon-
butterfly arch recovery, and volunteers were sought
milkweed to assist in the development of a monarch
conservation plan.
(Asclepias A follow-up working group meeting
tuberosa) for those who volunteered was held at
the Salato Wildlife Education Center in
USFWS photo
April 2016 to identify the needs and begin
part of any plan to bring back the mon- helping to prevent the isolation of popula- development of a plan. A steering com-
archs. Education will play an essential tions. Continued research and monitoring mittee and the following six subcommit-
role in raising public awareness of the of our work will be needed to see how tees were also established: Education and
monarch’s plight and inspiring individual effective it has been in helping monarch Outreach, Funding, Private Lands, Public
participation. Even small backyards have numbers. Ultimately, funding to carry out Lands, Research and Monitoring, and
room for milkweed and nectar plants monarch recovery efforts will be the deter- Rights-of-Way. The subcommittees were
capable of producing monarchs and sup- mining factor as to how much of this work charged with developing goals, challenges,
porting other pollinators each year. Every can be completed. and strategies to implement monarch con-
contribution is an important step toward Fortunately, the road to monarch servation through a Kentucky Monarch
recovery. Public lands and rights-of-way, recovery is already underway. In late Oc- Conservation Plan.
such as power lines and roadsides, will tober of 2015, the Midwest Association The plan that follows is the ini-
also be important to recovery efforts. The of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the tial result of these efforts, but it will be
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conserva- United States Fish and Wildlife Service adaptable to changes in technology and
tion estimated that roadsides alone cover sponsored a “States Monarch Conserva- our knowledge regarding the monarchs’
more than 10 million acres of land in the tion Workshop” with cooperation from the needs. Time is of the essence since
U.S. Another 9 million acres is found in National Wildlife Federation, Association monarch numbers are at critically low
power transmission lines and 12 million in of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and Pheas- levels and need to rebound as quickly as
pipelines, the cumulative total of which is ants Forever. The workshop was designed possible to ensure the migration is not
roughly equivalent to about one-third of to bring together key partners from the lost forever. Our initial plan seeks to
the land area found in the national park Midwest region to begin the process of meet target benchmarks within a 5-year
system. developing state monarch conservation period, and this plan is designed to be
These areas are underutilized for spe- plans. The final goal being to merge these adaptively managed and updated on a
cies conservation, that when well managed plans into a regional monarch conserva- frequent basis. We need your help, so we
can act as corridors and networks of cor- tion plan. Some states had begun the pro- hope you will engage in the efforts out-
ridors allowing monarchs and other spe- cess of developing a monarch conservation lined in this plan to do your part to bring
cies to move along uninterrupted habitat, plan, and organizations such as Monarch back the monarchs.
KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN 3
Education and Outreach
Overview: Although the migration of the monarch butterfly
is one of the most intriguing phenomena in the natural world, we
also depend on these butterflies for our food and wildflower diversity.
Monarchs serve key roles in pollination, both for food production and
for wildflower gardens (75% of wildflowers need pollination to flower).
By instating education and outreach efforts across Kentucky, we can
raise awareness about the importance of the monarch and its lifecycle.
Through the formation of a network of engaged volunteers and interest
groups, we can create and maintain monarch habitat and spread the
message about the importance of these conservation efforts.
Goal: Enhance public knowledge of monarch butterflies, the plight
of the monarch, and ways that citizens of the commonwealth can
become involved in helping this species.
USFWS photo
Challenge 1: monarchs and raise awareness and knowl- Challenge 3:
Identify and expand communication to edge, then progress can be made. Educate the public about the importance
target audiences. of and current threats to monarchs and
• Strategy: Create, promote and main- other pollinators. Through establishing a
• Strategy: Identify priority audiences for tain Kentucky-specific social media network of informed educators, supportive
monarch conservation. sites. Rely on existing website resources materials and increasing Certified Mon-
• Strategy: Utilize varying communica- (Monarch Joint Venture) for streamlined arch Waystations, this effort could have
tion methods and strategies based on information. Explore feasibility of a link enormous impact.
target audience. (e.g., presentations at to Kentucky-specific materials within
industry meetings or workshops, presen- these existing websites. • Strategy: Recruit and train “monarch
tations for local and state government • Strategy: Utilize local media outlets, ambassadors” (including children) across
agencies, social media, radio, direct com- newspaper articles, television, radio, and the state who will conduct outreach to
munication, print) podcasts. teach about monarchs.
• Strategy: Measure change in support • Strategy: Create “branded” signage at • Strategy: Create educational materi-
and participation of monarch conserva- KY welcome centers and rest stops and als (videos, articles, PowerPoint pro-
tion among target groups by develop- provide informational brochures. grams and teaching aids) as tools for
ing effectiveness measures. Adapt and • Strategy: Recruit a celebrity spokesper- the ambassadors and other educators/
change messaging approach to target au- son to be the face of Kentucky’s mon- presenters.
diences if not creating desired response. arch outreach. • Strategy: Adapt Kentucky Department
• Strategy: Develop public service an- of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Back-
Assessment: Priority monarch conserva- nouncements. yard Wildlife program to include infor-
tion audiences will be identified and par- • Strategy: Partner with the Monarch mation on Monarch Waystations.
ticipation/support levels in monarch con- Conservation Science Partnership and • Strategy: Identify and adapt (as need-
servation will be quantifiable. All strat- Monarch Joint Venture to integrate a ed) existing educational presentations
egies will be implemented within the statewide citizen science program in and material on monarchs and certified
5-year benchmark. Kentucky aimed at inventorying milk- monarch waystations.
weed stems and recording monarch eggs • Strategy: Fund and develop locally ap-
Challenge 2: and caterpillars. propriate native pollinator seed packets
Increase public knowledge of the monarch to be distributed with educational ma-
butterfly and its life cycle. Public aware- Assessment: All strategies should be im- terials.
ness is increasing as studies and reports plemented in 5 years, and a third of the • Strategy: Use social media sites to steer
demonstrate a dramatic decline in migrat- school-aged population of the state should be Kentucky’s public to existing FAQ and
ing monarchs, bees and other pollinators. able to recognize a monarch butterfly within “ask the expert” resources. Encourage
If Kentucky can create a “buzz” around 5 years (assessed via online survey tool). residents to post images, suggestions and
4 KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN
Education and outreach
comments on social media sites. Assessment: 50% of Kentucky nurseries • Strategy: Identify local networks of
• Strategy: Increase knowledge of large have signage and/or educational materials ambassadors and develop a monarch
landowners, both public and private, about neonicotinoids. All strategies will be conservation training program. Ambas-
about monarchs and their plight. employed by the 5-year benchmark. sadors will be trained in education, hab-
• Strategy: Increase school districts’ itat development and research efforts.
knowledge about monarch waystations Challenge 5: Develop programs based on audience
and pollinator gardens as tools to teach Increase public awareness on where milk- and region of the state.
the Kentucky Academic Science Stan- weeds and native nectar producing plants • Strategy: Develop science-based resources
dards. are available for purchase. to aid ambassadors in communicating the
• Strategy: Promote Certified Monarch principles of monarch conservation, in-
Waystations and more than double the • Strategy: Provide current lists of where cluding habitat, research and education.
number in the state, with a goal of es- pesticide-free, native milkweed plugs • Strategy: Support local monarch ef-
tablishing 1,000. and seeds, as well as native nectar plants, forts with financial resources and out-
• Strategy: Develop a Monarchs Across can be purchased. reach materials.
Kentucky curriculum using existing cur- • Strategy: Use existing educational • Strategy: Provide information on po-
riculum that can be found at the Univer- products such as brochures, website con- tential funding mechanisms for the in-
sity of Minnesota Monarch Lab (http:// tent and social media content to pro- stallation (and certification) of monarch
monarchlab.org/education-and-gardening/ mote information about the importance waystations and pollinator gardens.
curricula) to supplement current curricu- of planting nectar-producing flowers
la programs such as Project WILD. and providing recommendations about Assessment: Two of these five strategies
which flowering plants have the great- will be completed by the 5-year bench-
Assessment: In 5 years, the monarch est importance for monarch survival. mark. Within 10 years, priority audienc-
ambassadors will have worked with resi- Many of these educational products can es will be identified and outreach toolkits
dents in every county, 1,000 new monarch be found at the Monarch Joint Venture will be available for ambassadors. An ef-
waystations will be developed and certified website (http://monarchjointventure.org/) fective and comprehensive training pro-
with Monarch Watch, and more educa- • Strategy: Use existing educational ma- gram will be developed and implemented
tional materials will be available. terial: presentations, brochures, publica- for the network of local ambassadors.
tions, website content and social media
Challenge 4: content to share how to identify mon- Challenge 7:
Promote public awareness on the harm- arch eggs and caterpillars. Again, many Outreach to Civic Groups. Engage envi-
ful effects of spraying pesticides, especially of these resources can be found at the ronmentally-conscious civic groups across
neonicotinoids, on plants that that are im- Monarch Joint Venture website. the state (e.g. garden clubs, FFA, 4H, Boy
portant to monarchs and other pollinators. • Strategy: Establish a website at Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.) in monarch con-
kentuckymonarchs.com. Let this website servation (i.e. train-the-trainer).
• Strategy: Enlist plant nurseries and include the existing list of native plant
sellers, including large-scale sellers like vendors but also expand upon that infor- • Strategy: Meet with at least one civ-
Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc., to educate mation by providing links to helpful re- ic group per county regarding the urgent
customers on use of pesticides, especially sources. This website can include a blog need for monarch conservation.
neonicotinoids. as well as menus and pages that lead to • Strategy: Secure annual funding for
• Strategy: Encourage retailers to start helpful resources. Devise and implement seed packets to encourage citizens to de-
selling flowers and garden plants free of strategies for driving traffic to this web- velop pollinator plantings.
neonicotinoids. site. Monitor website traffic and period- • Strategy: Secure annual funding to de-
• Strategy: In lieu of the above, ask re- ically review and revise strategies for in- velop signage for landowners engaged in
tailers to label products that contain ne- creasing website traffic. monarch conservation.
onicotinoids. • Strategy: Identify and distribute exist-
• Strategy: Work with retailers to create Assessment: In 5 years, we will have a ing monarch conservation and Monarch
educational signage and material regard- database available on the website with in- Waystation educational materials to civ-
ing impacts of neonicotinoids. formation about where to purchase milk- ic groups through conferences, commu-
• Strategy: Request that retailers post weeds and other native nectar producing nity events and other civic activities. En-
signage that explains the risks of neonic- plants. We will have educational materials courage civic groups to distribute these
otinoids. available for download from the website. materials to their members.
• Strategy: Distribute existing neonicoti-
noid educational materials developed by Challenge 6: Assessment: All strategies will be imple-
other organizations. Support local specialist groups. mented by the 5-year benchmark.
KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN 5
Private Lands
Habitat Management
Overview: Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) populations
have experienced alarming reductions during the past 20 years, with
the decline in the subspecies (Danaus plexippus plexippus) that breeds
east of the Rocky Mountains being of particular concern. Multiple
generations of monarchs use summer habitat in Kentucky, and it is
assumed that loss of monarch habitat in the state has contributed to
population declines. With 95% of Kentucky under private ownership,
collaboration with these landowners will be essential for monarch
conservation efforts in the state to be successful.
Goal: Form monarch conservation partnerships with private
landowners across Kentucky to maintain quality monarch habitat
through establishment and management of new plantings or
management of existing habitat.
USFWS photo
Challenge 1: http://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the- • Strategy: Secure annual funding to de-
Implement Non-corporate monarchs/milkweed/free-milkweeds-for- velop signage for private corporate land-
Pollinator Plantings restoration-projects/ owners engaged in monarch conservation.
Partner with private, non-corporate • Strategy: Secure annual funding to • Strategy: Secure annual funding to
landowners (e.g. production & hobby develop signage for private non-corpo- purchase seed (bulk & individual pack-
farmers, wildlife enthusiasts, non-profit rate landowners engaged in monarch ets) for pollinator plantings on private
organizations) across the state to establish conservation. corporate land that is not eligible for
quality pollinator plantings that include USDA program incentives.
milkweeds and nectar producing plants for Assessment: All strategies will be imple-
monarchs and other pollinators. mented by the 5-year benchmark. Assessment: Two of three strategies will
be implemented by the 5-year benchmark.
• Strategy: Use existing United States Challenge 2:
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Implement Corporate Challenge 3:
program incentives to establish pollina- Pollinator Plantings Implement Backyard
tor plantings in every Kentucky county Partner with private, corporate landown- Pollinator Plantings
on private non-corporate land. ers across the state (e.g. utility companies, Partner with landowners across the state
• Strategy: Establish 100 acres of new coal companies, horse farms, distilleries, to establish quality pollinator plantings
pollinator plantings in the Conservation golf courses, nursing homes) to establish including milkweed and nectar producing
Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) quality pollinator plantings that include habitats in “backyard” type settings within
area, the Livingston county Quail Focus milkweeds for monarchs and appropriate urban and suburban areas.
Area, and the Shaker Village Quail Fo- nectar producing habitat.
cus Area. • Strategy: Coordinate with University
• Strategy: Secure annual funding to • Strategy: Use KDFWR’s KY Busi- of Kentucky Master Gardener programs
support purchase of seed (bulk & indi- ness Conservation Partnership program to install and certify a minimum of one
vidual packets) for pollinator plantings to establish at least one new pollinator new private Monarch Waystation in
on private non-corporate land that is not planting per county on private corporate each participating county.
eligible for USDA program incentives. land while emphasizing maintenance, • Strategy: Use KDFWR’s Backyard
• Strategy: Secure Milkweed from Mon- employee, and public relations benefits Wildlife program to establish at least
arch Watch for two large-scale (2 acres (i.e. less mowing costs, wildlife viewing one new pollinator planting per county
minimum) private Monarch Waystation areas for relaxation, good environmental in non-traditional areas such as schools,
restoration efforts (to be identified). stewardship). churches, cemeteries, urban/suburban
6 KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN
Private Lands Habitat Management
sites, homeowner association properties,
community gardens, etc.
• Strategy: Secure annual funding for
the purchase of seed (bulk & individual
packets) for pollinator plantings in non-
traditional areas.
• Strategy: Secure annual funding to
develop signage for non-traditional land-
owners engaged in monarch conservation.
Assessment: Two of three strategies will
be implemented by the 5-year benchmark.
Challenge 4:
Management of Existing
Monarch Habitat
Private land owners have diverse land use
interests making it difficult to orchestrate
monarch habitat man- USFWS photo
agement and inven- the need for and benefits of less mowing.
tories on private land. • Strategy: Publish newspaper articles in
Effective management major media markets addressing the im-
is necessary to sustain pact of excessive mowing on monarchs.
milkweed and compli- • Strategy: Utilize USDA Farm Service
mentary pollinator spe- Agency’s newsletter to increase aware-
cies in existing monarch ness of effects of mowing on monarchs.
habitat. Landowners • Strategy: Collaborate with USDA to
need concise and clear limit annual mowing requirements in
direction on how to Farm Bill programs.
manage newly created
and existing habitat. Assessment: Two of four strategies will
be implemented by the 5-year benchmark.
• Strategy: Iden-
tify and promote Best
USFWS photo
Challenge 6:
Management Practices (BMPs) for Kentucky Extension, USDA Natural Demonstration Sites
monarch habitat. Resources Conservation Service, USDA Develop monarch habitat demonstration
• Strategy: Develop at least one printed Farm Service Agency, The Nature Con- sites around the state to facilitate aware-
and one online educational tool to servancy, Kentucky Farm Bureau, and ness of the issue and show examples of
communicate identified management Kentucky Department of Agriculture) high quality monarch habitat.
practices. on delivering sound monarch habitat
• Strategy: Secure funding for publica- management recommendations that • Strategy: Develop at least one demon-
tion of printed monarch habitat man- should be shared as part of an overall stration site per county, possibly at Uni-
agement material. monarch awareness and habitat manage- versity of Kentucky Extension offices.
• Strategy: Distribute monarch habi- ment message. • Strategy: Post signage at demonstration
tat management material to private sites explaining the need for monarch
landowners via University of Kentucky Assessment: All strategies will be imple- conservation and where to obtain more
Extension Office educational outreach mented by the 5-year benchmark. information.
classes, Master Gardening programs, • Strategy: Facilitate annual monitoring
state garden clubs, and public/private Challenge 5: of demonstration sites (citizen science or
arboretums. Reduced Mowing Campaign grant funded) to evaluate maintenance
• Strategy: Train appropriate agen- Minimize annual mowing by farmers, needs.
cies and non-governmental organiza- businesses, and other private landowners.
tions (Kentucky Department of Fish Assessment: All strategies will be imple-
and Wildlife Resources, University of • Strategy: Develop brochure explaining mented by the 5-year benchmark.
KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN 7
Public Lands
Habitat Management
Overview: Public lands, which comprise less than 5% of
Kentucky, are ideal sites for implementation of monarch protection
because they serve as an interface between people and nature. Public
lands offer several potential benefits: demonstration areas, trained land
management staff, trained educators and interpreters, easy access, and
readily accessible audiences. Monarch habitat restoration on public
land associates agencies with positive actions and results. Funding
sources are more likely to be available for public lands. Some public land
organizations even have the capacity to create vast monarch habitat
and provide the manpower and equipment for maintenance.
Goal: Establish a strategy for identifying practitioners within
each public land agency who have decision-making powers about
implementing a Monarch Habitat Management plan and then sharing
scientific information documenting the need to create more monarch
habitat with these practitioners.
USFWS photo
Challenge 1: • Strategy: Provide land managers with Assessment: All strategies will be imple-
Identify relevant public land entities and accurate data on unit costs for installing mented by the 5-year benchmark.
determine the proper contact(s) for dis- and maintaining monarch habitat.
cussing monarch habitat initiatives. Challenge 4:
Assessment: All strategies will be imple- Establish large areas of continuous mon-
• Strategy: Develop a list of all the public mented by the 5-year benchmark. arch habitat.
land holding agencies in the state, with
contact information for the appropriate Challenge 3: • Strategy: Once information is gathered
person(s). Build a network of public land managers on all the various public land agencies
interested in developing monarch habitat across the state, target restoration efforts
Assessment: All strategies will be imple- and establish lines of communication towards larger tract sizes.
mented within 1-year. between them. • Strategy: Develop and/or provide
guidance to land managers detailing
Challenge 2: • Strategy: Collect contact information the process for establishing high quality
Convince diverse agencies with different from all the identified public land man- monarch and pollinator habitat.
priorities that monarch conservation is agers throughout the state that are in-
important enough for action. terested in participating in the monarch Assessment: All strategies will be imple-
restoration program. mented by the 5-year benchmark.
• Strategy: After identifying individual • Strategy: Establish a user-friendly
land managers, schedule face-to-face communication forum for all these indi- Challenge 5:
meetings to present information regard- viduals to discuss ideas and share experi- Promote consistency among public lands/
ing the monarch program. ences (e.g. possible monarch restoration agencies—establish consistent messaging
• Strategy: Visit potential habitat sites list-serve). while still allowing various land manage-
with land managers and discuss restora- • Strategy: Host several meetings dur- ment actions that suit the policies and
tion options. ing the year at various locations so needs of diverse agencies.
• Strategy: Assist land managers with individuals can continually develop and
development of restoration and manage- share ideas as well as see what others • Strategy: Identify key points for agen-
ment plans for sites. are doing. cies to emphasize with the public re-
8 KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLANPUBLIC Lands Habitat Management
garding monarch restoration. and other pollinators. duction sites.
• Strategy: Develop multiple restoration iii. Determine important nesting and
and management guidelines to fit differ- Assessment: Strategy will be imple- overwintering sites.
ent situations. mented by the 5-year benchmark. iv. Identify pollinators of sensitive or at-
risk plant species on Federal, State, local
Assessment: All strategies will be imple- Challenge 7: or non-governmental organization lists.
mented by the 5-year benchmark. Elevate importance of eight key Best v. Identify and remove invasive species
Management Practices when evaluating to improve pollinator habitat.
Challenge 6: projects for conserving pollinator habitat. vi. Strive to use local, genetically appro-
Acquire additional public land to protect priate native seeds.
and restore pollinator habitat. • Strategy: Align with regional and vii. Implement adaptive management of
national initiatives to promote the fol- pollinator habitat.
• Strategy: Secure annual funding for lowing Best Management Practices for viii. Engage and inform the public.
Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation pollinator and monarch habitat
Fund and similar programs to purchase i. Focus on high quality foraging habitat. Assessment: Strategy will be imple-
and protect suitable lands for monarchs ii. Identify important pollinator repro- mented by the 5-year benchmark.
Right-of-Way
Management
Overview: Right-of-Ways (ROWs) have been identified as a
significant opportunity for monarch habitat implementation at the
landscape level. Thousands of acres of transportation, utility, and other
ROWs dissect Kentucky from east to west, north to south. These areas
present prime opportunity to convert traditional grass monocultures
to expansive areas of optimal pollinator habitat. Ultimately, the
availability and scale of ROWs may prove to be a hallmark in monarch
butterfly recovery.
Goal: Form partnerships, develop planting/mowing plans, and
identify site selection parameters with various public and private
entities to convert ROWs into significant pollinator habitat.
USFWS photo
Challenge 1: others to discuss planting procedures. in which to begin ROW plantings and
Germination and weed competition have • Strategy: Review previous planting plans determine which entities to target.
proven to be a major hurdle for establish- from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
ment of desirable species within ROWs. and other entities to determine what • Strategy: Coordinate with stakehold-
Therefore, we need to determine the best methods proved to be effective in ROWs. ers, including Kentucky Transportation
planting procedure to reduce weed competi- Cabinet, to determine which sites may
tion and increase germination of milkweed Assessment: All strategies will be imple- provide the greatest benefit to monarchs
and other desirable species within ROWs. mented by the 5-year benchmark. and pollinators.
• Strategy: Meet with stakeholders to
• Strategy: Work with Kentucky Trans- Challenge 2: determine overall interest in ROW
portation Cabinet, seed companies, and Develop prioritized list of focal areas plantings.
KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN 9Right-of-way management
• Strategy: Identify five sites for ROW equipment or retrofitting existing equip- net, to determine when to mow while
planting. ment to harvest seed properly. keeping traffic safety concerns in mind.
• Strategy: Work with ROW stakehold-
Assessment: All strategies will be imple- Assessment: All strategies will be imple- ers to take proactive measures preventing
mented by the 5-year benchmark. mented by the 5-year benchmark. the spread of non-native invasive plants
into restoration areas.
Challenge 3: Challenge 4: • Strategy: Coordinate pro-active mea-
Determine seed availability, cost of seed Finalize proper mowing regimes and sures to control the spread of undesirable
and equipment needs. application techniques of specific herbi- species into restoration areas (e.g. sig-
cides to reduce non-native invasive plant nage for restoration areas, clean equip-
• Strategy: Meet with seed producers to competition and maximize growth of ment policies).
establish cost and availability. beneficial species.
• Strategy: Discuss the feasibility of Assessment: Strategy will be imple-
developing these ROW sites as poten- • Strategy: Work with stakeholders, in- mented by the 5-year benchmark.
tial seed sources. This may involve new cluding Kentucky Transportation Cabi-
Funding
Common milkweed seedlings
Overview: Effective rare species management and habitat manage-
ment is expensive, and requires long term foresight and support. This is
especially true for monarch butterfly, a wide ranging migratory species.
Monarchs use habitat across the migration route, most of which is degrad-
ed or even missing. Conservation and restoration efforts will be costly.
Goal: Generate funding mechanisms to support monarch conserva-
tion, including habitat restoration, management, education, and research.
USFWS photo
Challenge 1: as a ranking criterion in target areas to public lands are owned by an assortment of
Funding is needed to establish and/or direct more funding to practices ben- organizations with varying missions.
manage monarch habitat on private land efitting monarchs and other pollinators.
throughout Kentucky, in both large and ii. Set a goal of enrolling 1,000 to 1,500 • Strategy: Apply to the National Fish
small areas. Approximately 95% of Ken- acres per year in pollinator habitat and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
tucky is privately owned. management on EQIP tracts. Monarch Conservation Fund for
iii. Set a goal of directing mid-contract $50,000 to $250,000 to form a multi-
• Strategy: Utilize existing USDA Farm management of CRP and CREP land agency collaborative effort to man-
Bill Programs including the Conservation to improve pollinator habitat on at age pollinator habitat on public lands
Reserve Program (CRP), the Conservation least 45,000 acres. throughout Kentucky, to include invasive
Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), • Strategy: Utilize United States Fish species removal and prescribed fire on
the Environmental Quality Incentives and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Partners grasslands with natural milkweed popu-
Program (EQIP), and the Wetland Re- for Wildlife program to establish pol- lations (http://www.nfwf.org/monarch/
serve Enhancement Program (WREP) linator habitat in appropriate areas. Pages/home.aspx).
to improve existing or potential pollinator • Strategy: Apply to the Kentucky Heri-
habitat, including lands currently enrolled Challenge 2: tage Land Conservation Fund (heritage-
in these programs and new contracts. Funding is needed to establish monarch land.ky.gov) for funding of monarch habi-
i. Work to establish pollinator habitat habitat on public land throughout Kentucky, tat management on state-managed natural
management, such as fescue conversion, in both large and small areas. Kentucky’s areas such as Wildlife Management Ar-
10 KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLANFunding
eas, Nature Preserves, Parks, Wild Rivers ment on appropriate sites. cize through Kentucky Association for
watersheds, and Conservation Easements • Strategy: Work to secure annual funding Environmental Education, such as the
to include invasive species removal and for Kentucky Heritage Land Conserva- stipend for “Got Milkweed?K” train-
prescribed fire on grasslands with natural tion Fund (KHLCF) to acquire and pro- ing for teachers. (http://pages.stolaf.edu/
milkweed populations. Utilize this as tect natural areas with significant or ap- mohl/2016/04/06/2016-summer-work-
non-federal match for appropriate federal propriate monarch and pollinator habitat. shops-for-teachers/)
grants, including NFWF, where possible.
• Strategy: Work with the Kentucky De- Challenge 3: Challenge 5:
partment of Transportation to apply up to Milkweed species, which are host plants Research funding is crucial to setting
$75,000 in Transportation Enhancement to monarch butterflies, are expensive to monarch population benchmarks in Ken-
Funds to benefit pollinator habitat on propagate and the supply is limited. tucky and identifying sites with high qual-
highway rights-of-way and other sites. ity pollinator habitat to facilitate directing
• Strategy: Utilize $25,000 in Imperiled • Strategy: Identify funding sources for limited funding to the best possible areas.
Bat Conservation Funds to enhance local propagation of milkweed species.
pollinator habitat on appropriate sites as • Strategy: Identify research funding
prey sources for rare bats. Challenge 4: sources, and coordinate with existing
• Strategy: Explore private funding Funding is also needed to educate the research entities to ensure monarch con-
sources, such as the Doris Duke Foun- public on the importance of monarchs as servation research needs are appropri-
dation and other charitable foundations. pollinators. ately addressed.
• Strategy: Collaborate with conservation
partners to direct agency program fund- • Strategy: Identify sources of funding Assessment: Half of these strategies will
ing towards pollinator habitat improve- for educational programs and publi- be employed by the 5-year benchmark.
KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN 11Research and
Monitoring
Overview: A carefully constructed and implemented monitoring
and research plan is of critical importance to the Kentucky Monarch
Plan. It should provide objective and quantifiable parameters to
measure the progress and effectiveness of individual efforts within the
scope of the project (i.e. number of monarch stations established, acres
of habitat restored). A comprehensive monitoring plan will track the
collective impact of all efforts on the recovery of the monarch. A sound
monitoring plan will add relevance to the project and enable informed
decision making.
Goal: We will utilize existing resources to develop a Kentucky
monitoring protocol for monarch butterflies and habitats that is
practical and designed to yield consistent results, if implemented by
individuals of a variety of backgrounds with minimal training.
USFWS photo
Challenge 1: Challenge 2: • Strategy: Share management protocols
Define “suitable habitat” for monarch Compile Best Available Science to define with managers involved in monarch
butterflies. best management practices for monarch habitat restoration.
habitat restoration and management in
• Strategy: Identify experts who are fa- Kentucky. Assessment: All strategies will be imple-
miliar with current research. mented by the 5-year benchmark.
• Strategy: Develop a list of highest- • Strategy: Form a committee of experts
priority research questions regarding including land managers from Kentucky Challenge 3:
regionally specific habitat requirements State Nature Preserves Commission, Determine location, distribution, and
for monarchs. Kentucky Department of Fish and status of current and potential monarch
• Strategy: Engage university researchers Wildlife Resources, The Nature Con- habitat.
in dialogue regarding monarch research servancy, monarch citizen scientists and
priorities. others to generate a report on currently • Strategy: Create comprehensive data-
known best management practices as base for monarch habitat based on Ken-
Assessment: All strategies will be imple- well as specific management questions tucky State Nature Preserves Natural
mented by the 5-year benchmark. that need to be addressed. Area Inventory (NAI) database, Biotics.
USFWS photos
12 KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLANResearch and Monitoring
• Strategy: Inventory new areas, update monitoring and who/how data will be for landowners to provide information
older records from NAI database. tracked. on their monarch habitat including size,
• Strategy: Identify potential corridors quality, and contact information.
and key areas for habitat establishment/ Assessment: All strategies will be im-
protection. plemented by the 5-year benchmark. Assessment: Two of three strategies will
• Strategy: Create report/product that be implemented by the 5-year benchmark.
can be shared with monarch taskforce. Challenge 5:
Develop monitoring and reporting tools Challenge 6:
Assessment: Two of four strategies will to identify and track the location and Monitor monarch migration in Kentucky.
be implemented by the 5-year benchmark. status of monarch habitat.
• Strategy: Use Journey North tools to track
Challenge 4: • Strategy: Coordinate with Monarch and record Kentucky monarch sightings.
Determine the best methodology for Watch to locate and track Monarch • Strategy: Leverage public interest using
monitoring populations in Kentucky. Waystations on private land in Kentucky citizen science engagement for tracking
and to obtain permission to add private Kentucky monarchs.
• Strategy: Seek advice from experts for landowner contact information to a • Strategy: Train educators, scientists,
input and review of existing protocols. Kentucky Monarch Habitat database. and individuals in tracking and tagging
• Strategy: Select or adapt the most • Strategy: Build a database of Monarch Kentucky monarchs.
suitable monitoring protocol based on Waystations in Kentucky and quality of
expert input. habitat at each waystation. Assessment: All strategies will be imple-
• Strategy: Determine who will conduct • Strategy: Develop a self-reporting tool mented by the 5-year benchmark.
A simple way to help
The Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund generates funding for natural
areas habitat management, including pollinator habitat enhancement, through the
sale of license plates featuring the viceroy butterfly, a monarch mimic.
KENTUCKY MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN CKentucky Department of
Fish and Wildlife Resources
1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601
1-800-858-1549 • fw.ky.gov
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