MAP: Map Asclepias Project with Monarchs Across Georgia

Suitable habitat is a limiting factor for the success of many species, including the Monarch butterfly. Asclepias species, commonly known as milkweeds are the host plant for the Monarch, providing the sole food source of these caterpillars. With the loss of native milkweed patches across our landscape, it is important that existing milkweed stands are protected to ensure Monarchs have adequate food sources. We need to know where and what milkweed species are still available for egg-laying females. We also need to know where cultivated plantings are located. To this end, MAG is asking butterfly and native plant enthusiasts to familiarize themselves with Georgia’s milkweeds, search them out in your travels and report your findings. Specifically we would like photo documentation, a description of the site including the latitude and longitude and the number and state of the plants. Using your records, a milkweed distribution database/ map in GIS and milkweeds of Georgia scrapbook will be created. This data will also help prioritize future milkweed restoration and education efforts.

To find out more about the project and how to report the milkweeds in your garden and those you have seen growing wild, visit our website, www.MonarchsAcrossGA.org/Milkweed_Gone.php.  An online and mail-in version of the reporting form along with our field guide to Georgia’s native milkweeds are available at this link.

MAG has set a goal to locate 100 milkweed sites by the end of National Pollinator Week, June 22-28, 2008. Please join us in our data collection efforts by participating in our MAP: Map Asclepias Project. We hope to hear from you soon!!