Passion flower

Monarch butterfly populations have experience a dramatic decline in recent years. One of the issues is a decline in the amount of milkweed on the landscape, the only plant eaten by monarch caterpillars, making it fundamental to the future success of this species. In reaction to the decline, the Service is working with partners across the nation to plant more milkweed. In western North Carolina, the Asheville Field Office has worked with Monarch Rescue, Toe River Valley Partnership, and several other partners, including many school, to plant pollinator gardens. Students at Yancey County’s Clearmont Elementary recently came out to plant a pollinator garden behind their school.