We all know how butterflies enliven a wildflower meadow, delight little kids with the magic of metamorphosis, and lift our spirits with their brilliant colors, but not so many folks are aware of the importance of butterflies and moths beyond their beauty and curious life cycles.

The Monarch butterfly is a well-known summer resident in North America, flying south in autumn to winter in spectacular roosts. Unfortunately, the monarch has suffered precipitous declines over the last two decades. Loss of a preferred food plant, native milkweed, is a significant factor in that decline.

Our last scheduled Heart of the Blues lecture of the season features Tom Landis, an expert on monarch butterflies and their habitats. Based in southern Oregon, Tom’s research on monarch restoration has taken him on speaking trips far and wide, including the Society of Ecological Restoration conference in England. Tom will share his insights on the natural history of the monarch, its importance in the ecological stability of the western hemisphere, and how local citizens can help bring back healthy populations of this beautiful native.

Join us Thursday, September 29 at 7 pm at Cook Memorial Library in La Grande, to learn about monarchs and milkweed and what you can do to help restore the species in Oregon.

 Out with the old, in with the new!  Volunteers of all ages showed up to Pete's Pond en masse last Friday to help finish off clumps of stubborn quack grass and plant dozens of milkweed starts and native wildflowers.  The Conservancy thanks you for your dedication to conservation... and the butterflies and pollinators will thank you soon, too!

Looking for a family-friendly event that will get you outside one last time before you get out your snow gear? Blue Mountains Conservancy has got you covered!  Grab a shovel, work gloves, and 5 gallons of water, and help us get hundreds of milkweed and wildflower starts in the ground!  Meet at Pete's Pond (directions on the flier below or on our Events Calendar) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd.  If you're scratching your head for the water request, keep in mind that Pete's Pond doesn't yet have plumbing, and we will need to water all those little plants to increase chances of survival.  Thanks for your support!  Hope to see you there.