We are a group of Windsor, Essex and Chatham-Kent County residents whose goal is to provide information, knowledge and resources to our friends and neighbors who would like to help bring Monarch butterflies back in big numbers into our neighborhoods. You know by now through the media and web sites the Monarch butterfly is in BIG trouble. Our three North America country’s leaders had all promised back in 2014, to help the migration cycle of these creatures to continue for years to come. Unfortunately like all good politicians very little has been done financially to protect the Monarch habitats. 
Let’s face it, the US and Canadian government will never stop farmers from spraying the huge amount of pesticides that automatically kills Milkweed plants in the fields every year. Too many big companies and millions of dollars in profits are at stake in the agriculture world and therefore the majority of these people most likely will never do anything about the Monarch butterfly’s future. So in order to help the Monarch butterfly survive, we’ve decided to take action into our own hands, like hundreds of thousands folks like you and me throughout Canada and US by planting Milkweed on our properties, and by encouraging others to do the same.
We hope you will too. :-)

Providing food for the Monarch caterpillars, and nectar flowers for the adult butterflies is the best way to help these delicate creatures survive with or without any help from our busy politicians.
If you’re interested in planting Milkweed flowers in your garden contact us at anytime and we would love to provide you FREE seeds and or small plants at a reasonable cost. (When available)

                                                                                               ONTARIO NATIVE MILKWEED                                                                                                                            
The three most popular perennial Milkweed species native to Ontario are easy to find and excellent choices to plant in your flower garden or backyard. These three species offer food for the Monarch caterpillar as well as nectar to all butterflies, bees and humming birds.
Swamp Milkweed  (Asclepias Incarnata) is usually found growing near ponds and streams in the wild, but this species grows just as well in average garden soil that is watered regularly during dry spells. Its pinkish-red blossoms have a sweet, vanilla-like scent, and its smooth green seedpods can provide a nice addition to floral arrangements.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias Tuberosa) is a very drought-tolerant species that prefers areas with drier soils that also receive full sun.
This species typically displays brilliant reddish-orange flowers.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca), which is best suited for containers and very large landscapes due to its aggressive spreading habit.
Most people are probably already familiar with the tall and statuesque

All three of these aforementioned native species of Milkweed plants only require about 2 square feet of your garden’s space to grow, and they also perform very well in containers. By planting a native Milkweed, you will be doing your part to help conserve the Monarch butterfly as well as providing yourself and others with the opportunity to witness the fascinating metamorphosis of the beautiful insect. It doesn't take much to contribute to the conservation of the threatened Monarch butterfly species, and each contribution to this broad effort is of great value and vital importance to its prospects for success.
Every person can do their part, however great or small, to ensure that the Monarch butterfly continues to be around to delight and fascinate onlookers for generations to come.

Most nurseries in our area unfortunately did not sell Milkweed plants (although I did see a few Butterfly weed at Fred’s Market in July 2017).
To start with well established plants you can visit this Amherstburg site: www.nativetreesandplants.com  (this is where I got my first milkweed plants ) or look elsewhere online for more vendors. If you would like to start from seeds, we always have a good supply in our fridge that you can have for FREE   Call or email anytime you need some.
If you would like to buy some inexpensive milkweed plant ($ 2-3.00 each) in spring - summer visit these local nurseries:
 http://www.savethemonarchbutterfly.ca/Windsor-Essex-County-Milkweed-Growers.pdf   

                                                                                   THE MONARCH MIGRATION

The Monarch butterfly is one of the most iconic and wondrous insects that are native to North America. Every year, tens of millions of Monarchs take flight in an incredible transcontinental migratory journey, between Mexico, USA, Canada and back.
In the fall, a single generation of Monarchs complete the entire long journey from southern Canada to the mountainous conifer forests of central Mexico despite never having seen their ultimate destination. With spring’s arrival a few months later, the Monarch butterflies depart from their overwintering sites in Mexico and begin the journey north back to USA and Canada. 
Along the way, they lay eggs on Milkweed plants, the sole species of plants that Monarch caterpillars will eat, and soon after die, leaving their offspring to continue the flight north.
Weather permitting, we usually see the Monarchs in our area early June, it takes three to four generations of Monarchs to be born before the species as a whole starts the new fall migration back to Central Mexico.