by Trey Lamkins, Landscape Operations, Kimmel Education and Research Center
Meet the Monarch:
The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of North America's most iconic insects, easily recognized by its bright orange wings edged in black with white spots. Males can be identified by two small black scent spots on their hind wings, while females have thicker wing veins.
Monarchs undergo a four-stage life cycle: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult. The caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed, absorbing toxins that make them unappetizing to predators. After growing up to two inches long, they form a seafoam-green chrysalis flecked with gold. Within about four weeks, a fully formed butterfly emerges.
Epic Migration:
The Monarchs we see here in Nebraska are part of the eastern population, which breeds east of the Rocky Mountains and migrates up to 3,000 miles to overwinter in the high-altitude oyamel fir forests of central Mexico.
This journey is one of the most remarkable migrations in the animal kingdom but no single butterfly makes the full round trip. Instead, it takes multiple generations each year, with butterflies reproducing and expanding northward throughout the spring and summer, then returning south in fall.
Why Monarch Conservation Matters:
Over the past three decades, Monarch populations have declined by more than 80%. The causes are complex, but key threats include:
- Loss of milkweed (Monarch caterpillars’ only food source) due to herbicides and land development
- Decline of nectar plants that fuel adult butterflies, especially during migration
- Pesticide use, which harms Monarchs directly or kills the plants they depend on
- Habitat loss at overwintering sites in Mexico due to logging and forest degradation
- Climate change, which brings increasingly severe weather along migratory routes
At Kimmel Orchard, we’ve designed our landscape beds with pollinators in mind, featuring spring-blooming milkweeds, and nectar-rich plants for mid- to late-season fuel. In 2024 our site became a Certified Nebraska Pollinator Habitat and in 2025, our site also became the first certified Monarch Waystation in Otoe County, and one of only 10 sites statewide this year.
How You Can Help Monarchs:
You don’t need a large space to make an impact. Here’s how you can help:
- Plant native milkweed and nectar flowers in your garden, school, or community space
- Avoid pesticide and herbicide use, especially during breeding seasons
- Join citizen science efforts like Journey North or Monarch Watch
- Promote programs like the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge in your town, school, or workplace
Every milkweed stem and nectar bloom help Monarchs survive and thrive.
Get Involved: Join Us This July!
Pollinator Workshop | July 16th | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard
Join us to learn how to support pollinators, select native plants, and create thriving habitat in your own backyard. The workshop will feature educational sessions, youth activities, and a UNL Bee tour. Perfect for families, educators, gardeners, and anyone who care about conservation.
Register here: Pollinator Workshop RSVP
Sources & Key Resources
For deeper reading and helpful guides, check out:
Nebraska-Specific Resources
- Nebraska Game & Parks – Monarch Life Cycle & Natural History
- Nebraska Game & Parks – Monarch Butterfly Overview
- Nebraska Monarch & Pollinator Conservation Plan
- Nebraska Monarchs – Local outreach, data, and habitat support
- Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources – Pollinator Habitat (UNL)
Monarch Biology & Migration
- Journey North – Track migration sightings and seasonal updates
- Monarch Watch – Monarch tagging, Waystation info, and citizen science
- National Wildlife Federation – Monarch Guide
- World Wildlife Fund – Monarch Species Profile
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Save Monarchs
Pollinator Habitat & Gardening
- Xerces Society – Monarch Conservation
- USDA NRCS – Monarch Butterfly Programs
- Monarch Joint Venture – Partnerships and habitat restoration tools