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Environmental Concern Inc.
Taylor Gordon, EC's Education Program Coordinator, and Michael Page, QAC Supervisor of Instruction, celebrate Wetlands Day at Grasonville Elementary School.
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Environmental Concern Inc.
Monarchs only lay eggs on milkweed plants, and the monarch caterpillar only feeds on milkweed leaves. No milkweed – no monarchs!
In 2004, an estimated 550 million Monarchs completed their winter migration. In 2013, only 33 million arrived at their overwintering grounds in Mexico - a 94% decrease over 9 years. EC formed the Mid-Atlantic Monarch Initiative to fill the need for an east coast action plan to increase milkweed habitat. The Mid-Atlantic Monarch Initiative is working to activate conservation initiatives on a local and regional level to benefit the monarch butterfly.
EC will launch a Mid-Atlantic Monarch Initiative Program, the Mini Monarch Ultra, this fall. The Mini Monarch Ultra will coincide with the trinational Monarch Ultra Run, the first attempt to run across North America (Canada, United States & Mexico) in order to raise awareness of monarch butterflies who make this amazing migratory journey every year.
Local students will participate in their own Mini Monarch Ultra run while following the progress of the Ultra runners. Eight Queen Anne’s County (QAC) Elementary Schools are the first to sign up for the program. Environmental Concern has been working with the QAC Elementary Schools for the past two years to create outdoor learning habitats at every school and to support the development and implementation of their Environmental Literacy Plan. Students will learn about the monarch migration, connect with other schools and students throughout North America, and will receive a milkweed plug to plant in their very own pollinator habitats. “This is a unique opportunity to expand the students’ connection with nature and the monarch butterfly’s challenging journey. The program also provides a process for students to communicate using social media with other schools across North America who are participating in the Mini Monarch UItras”, comments Pittenger-Slear.
Environmental Concern’s (EC) Vice President of Restoration, Jessica Lister, is participating in the Monarch Ultra Run – a dream come true for this monarch butterfly and running enthusiast. Lister says, “My hope is that the monarch butterfly will become a symbol of resiliency, strength and empowerment for thousands of people, motivating them into conservation action.” Lister will join approximately 70 ultra runners following the 4,300 km (2,760 miles) migratory path of the monarch butterfly. The relay starts on September 19 in Peterborough, Ontario, and will continue for 47 days through the United States to the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico. Lister is running the 50K segment in Harrisburg, Illinois on October 2.
A fundraiser for the Mini Monarch Ultra Program is planned for September 21st. Join the fun at the Tardigrade Obstacle Course in Cordova, Maryland. Four spectacular events will be offered for both youth and adults, including a competitive Obstacle Course Race; a fun Obstacle Course Race; a 1.5-mile Fun Run/Walk; and a Virtual Run. All participants will receive a Mid-Atlantic Monarch Initiative Bumper Sticker and milkweed seeds to take home and plant in your garden. Click here to register: https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Cordova/MiniMonarchUltra
For more information about the Mini Monarch Ultra program, visit www.wetland.org.
