"Monarch Mentors" provides opportunities for nature enthusiasts to learn about: habitat restoration in order to re-establish healthy numbers of monarchs & pollinators and then to help educate the public to plant native milkweed species and nectar-rich plants. This seems the only way for the low monarch populations to return to previous healthy numbers.
Habitat. Habitat. Habitat.
Monarchs and Milkweeds Almanac : Vol. 1 and 2
by Ina Warren.
Monarch and Milkweed Almanac
Volume 1 - “This is your Brain on Milkweed”
Top 10 ways this book is different from other science guides:
1. 200 pages in a friendly graphic-rich “almanac” format. Primary focus: monarch life cycle, fall and spring migration; extensive information on Mexico’s overwintering reserves and their rich cultural mountain history
2. All pages written in conversational English for lay studies; very light on scientific jargon; easy to understand biological descriptions
3. A profound quote from a naturalist, philosopher or great thinker graces each page
4. 110 pages of in-depth one-page reviews (with range maps) for all 73 primary Asclepias species of US and Canada; researched from US wildflower guides. Several original charts profile the 73 species’ leaf and bloom characteristics for identification.
5. Many pen and ink drawings invite your colored pencils, crayolas or water colors!
6. Extensive cross-referenced 7-page index; 3 pages of sources and bibliography. Perhaps the most fun Table of Contents of all time.
7. Many invitations to pause, sing or hum a tune and recall memorable film scenes
8. Designed to stimulate a non-science audience to GET INVOLVED with natural resource protection through light-hearted, entertaining, 5 minute per page readings :-)
9. It’s NOT perfect and is likely sprinkled with typos as a professional editor /proofreader was unaffordable.
10. Laughs on each page or your money back!
Corrections and new pages will be provided through email as they are added at no charge for book supporters.
Monarch and Milkweed Almanac - Vol. 2
“Where there’s a Will, There’s a Waystation”
Top 10 features that will gladden the hearts of gardeners:
1. 165 pages. Highlights primarily native biennials, perennials, shrubs and tree species to attract and sustain butterflies, moth, hummingbirds and other pollinators
2. Local and regional common names in English and Spanish as well as scientific names. Indigenous names when available
3. Most of the featured 120+ species have a “Caterpillar Cafe” selection of larvae that might be found using the plant
4. Fun botanical histories; wild edibles, traditional medicinals and indigenous uses; also any current scientific research
5. Related proverbs, biblical references, and myths; also US listings of state flowers, trees and butterflies
6. Again, with the song lyrics! Sing a line or two of an old familiar tune...
7. Three page glossary of basic botanical terms
8. A dozen specialty pages on pollinators, nectar and fragrance of gardening favorites
9. Specialty pages highlighting specific interactions of plant-butterfly species
10. Due to this kaleido-scope (and the endorphins generated from laughter and memories), folks may become more curious in looking at new plants species and that will hopefully lead to protection and restoration of butterfly / pollinator habitat.
Botany is far too important to be boring (or too technical) as to be out of reach for mainstream audiences.
Our future depends on an engaged citizenry to protect our forests, air, water and soil resources and .....................................
............................................we don’t protect what we don’t know.
Please Note :
Some of the perennials featured in
First Lady Michelle Obama's 2014 Pollinator Garden at the White House
are spotlighted in pages from the Almanac at the links below on the
Make Way for Monarchs website.
Enjoy !
http://makewayformonarchs.org/i/natures-almanac
http://makewayformonarchs.org/i/natures-almanac/milkweed-plants
http://makewayformonarchs.org/i/natures-almanac/nectar-plants
A few copies of the initial printing of Almanac are available but due to high costs of printing and mailing,
a digital version of the 356+ page book is being developed. If interested, send an email for notification when it is available.