Save Our Monarchs Foundation Launches in the Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN – June 2, 2014 –Save Our Monarchs Foundation, a new foundation dedicated to saving the threatened monarch butterfly, has launched in the Twin Cities. The public is invited to the “Plant a Seed” launch party on Wed., June 11, 5-7 p.m. at Interlachen Country Club, 6200 Interlachen Blvd., Minneapolis.

A grassroots non-profit organization, Save Our Monarchs is the only foundation in the U.S. whose sole mission is to save the monarch butterfly by planting more milkweed – the sole source of sustenance of the monarch caterpillar.

“Other organizations educate people about the plight of the monarch butterfly. Our foundation has a simple, solitary purpose: to plant milkweed,” said Ward Johnson, executive director of Save Our Monarchs. Johnson’s parents, who already were concerned about the monarch’s dwindling numbers, were his inspiration. “They’re disappearing because we’re inadvertently destroying milkweed all across the U.S.,” Johnson said. “Our goal is to distribute 100,000 milkweed seed packets this year to help save our beloved butterflies.”

Save Our Monarchs has formed an alliance with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to increase habitat for the monarch butterfly. The Arboretum will be educating its visitors and other audiences about the importance of planting milkweed for the monarch’s survival. This summer, the Arboretum will be distributing the Foundation’s milkweed seed packets at classes, field trips and educational events both on and off-site, as well as during membership drives and in the Arboretum’s gift store. This summer, through Aug. 17, the Arboretum is presenting "Butterflies: Beauty in Flight," a live exhibit on monarchs and other native butterflies in the Snyder Building's Conservatory. 

In addition to the Arboretum, seed packets from Save our Monarchs can be picked up from garden centers including Bachman’s,Sunnyside Gardens, Tangletown Gardens and Wagner's Greenhouses, and stores including Goldy’s Locker Room and the Linden Hills Coop. The Foundation is also working with the Monarch Joint Venture, the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Foundation and other national butterfly conservatories to help spread the word.

Save Our Monarchs Foundation is the only foundation solely dedicated to saving the monarch butterfly by planting more milkweed. Save Our Monarchs is partnering with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and garden clubs to distribute milkweed seeds, the sole source of sustenance of the monarch caterpillar. To obtain milkweed seeds or make a donation, visit www.saveourmonarchs.org.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest and a premier northern arboretum, is part of the University ofMinnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and a public resource for horticultural and environmental information, research, and education. It is located 9 miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen.