Marathon has been awarded “Monarch City USA” status, joining a nationwide effort to support the struggling monarch butterfly population. The Marathon Garden Club (MGC), in partnership with the City of Marathon, achieved this designation by creating and deploying a new monarch butterfly sanctuary garden program for the community.
“The Monarch City USA recognition of Marathon highlights our efforts and commitment to the environment, promoting civic pride and improvement,” said Marathon City Manager George Garrett. “We will proudly display our Monarch USA signage that will be visible upon entering our city.”
In 2019, the MGC invited Jim West to be a guest speaker on the topic of the “Plight of the Monarch.” A Florida native, West informed the club of the perils the monarchs face and made suggestions on what Marathon could do to support the dwindling populations of monarchs. Further research revealed that according to the National Wildlife Federation, the monarch butterfly population has decreased by 90% over the last two decades. Lack of habitat, extreme weather conditions and the use of pesticides have all contributed to the decline.
Shirley Singleton, chair of MGC’s monarch butterfly committee, launched several monarch educational seminars culminating in the Monarch Sanctuary Certification program to help community gardeners plant their own monarch gardens. More than 32 gardens were certified in the first three months of the program.
The monarch butterfly committee programs stressed the importance of native host and nectar plants for the monarchs as they migrate through south Florida. More importantly, the club recognized the need to educate the public on how a simple garden, with the appropriate native plant components, can make a world of difference to the shrinking population of monarchs.
Rosemary Thomas, president of the Marathon Garden Club, said, “We are pleased that both residents and nonprofits embraced the program. We are developing additional butterfly programs and clinics as well as adding a Monarch Garden Tour, which will occur on Saturday, Mar. 5. We also look forward to assisting the City of Marathon with additional environmental, educational and beautification projects.”
To become a certified monarch butterfly sanctuary, participants must have a minimum of 20 host plants and apply for certification to MGC. The application includes a suggested list of larval and nectar plants that work in this area of the Keys. MGC formed an eight-member monarch butterfly certification committee that reviews the applications, visits the properties to verify the plants and makes the certification decision. MGC charges $25 to certify a garden and, upon a successful certification, will award the applicant with an MGC butterfly sanctuary sign.
Monarch City USA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 and based in Maple Valley, Washington. Its goal is to educate and inspire municipalities across the nation to support the monarch butterfly population by planting monarch milkweed and nectar plants throughout their respective cities. More information is at monarchcityusa.com.
