A potted milkweed garden is growing by the 100s, so the monarch butterfly population is soon to be all aflutter at CSArts.
Last October and November, students Melany Peralta and Teigen Ang-Horowitz planted the milkweeds along the side of the wall next to room 100. They are meant to be a sanctuary for western monarchs, who are close to being federally listed as threatened. Ang-Horowitz, who got the milkweed for free, says the butterflies help local biodiversity. “I’ve always had the idea to plant native plants around the campus to liven it up a bit,” he says, “and I did have some milkweed planted at home during the summer.”
Besides biodiversity, monarch butterflies are essential to the local ecosystem. As president of CSEarth club, senior Melany Peralta understands their role. “Monarchs also act as an indicator species, meaning their population health reflects the overall condition of the ecosystem,” Peralta says. “When their numbers drop, it means there is something wrong with milkweed availability, habitat loss, pesticide use, and other stressors.” Keeping monarch butterflies confined or startling them during a nighttime rest state called torpor state can also be stressors.
Next year, CSEarth club will likely continue to keep the butterfly sanctuary. “I think most of the butterflies will be arriving during the summer while we’re not at school,” says Ang-Horowitz. “The season is May to July.”
Five Minutes After the Bell