Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world.
Interested in certifying your new or existing monarch (and butterfly) habitat to show that you are contributing to monarch conservation? Interested landowners are encourages to contact the BBEMA office to set up a site consultation:
Monarch Waystation registration/certification process:
BBEMA staff will assist landowners to assess their potential site – make site recommendations/enhancements to comply with the Monarch Waystation Requirements application – collect site GPS coordinates – register site for applicants via Monarch Watch.
Upon certification each landowner will receive a weatherproof sign that identifies your monarch habitat as an official Monarch Waystation and your site will be included in the International Monarch Waystation Registry, an online listing of Monarch Waystations, and you will be awarded a certificate bearing your name and your site’s unique Monarch Waystation ID number.
Here is a general description of the Monarch Waystation process:
(1) Create a monarch habitat – BBEMA staff will assist landowners to identify potential source plants that are beneficial not only to Monarchs but other species. For example: did you know that Common Milkweed (A. syriacus) which is often associated with Monarchs in Central Canada is not native to PEI and can be invasive by shedding excessive seeds and by producing root buds on its persistent rhizomes – the variety of milkweed native to PEI is the Swamp Milkweed.
(2) BBEMA will conduct a site visit to confirm that Monarch Waystation criteria are met, collect GPS coordinates of the site, collect and submit photos of your Monarch Waystation to be included in the online registry, and complete the Certification Application for the landowner.
(3) The Landowner – you will receive a certificate with your (or your organization’s) name and unique Monarch Waystation ID for your site as well as a 9″ x 12″ weatherproof sign (shown above) for display.