Free workshops on creating habitat for monarch butterflies

A monarch butterfly sucks nectar from narrow-leaved milkweed flowers. Photo by Ron Vanderhoff

DIXON, CA (MPG) – The Solano Resource Conservation District (RCD) is offering two free online workshops and two free in-person workshops to help residents learn how to create monarch habitat in just 1,000 square feet in their own backyard.

Each workshop will cover the natural history and life cycle of monarchs, the types of plants monarchs need to survive, and how to properly install and manage these plants for the benefit of butterflies. The population of monarch butterflies has declined by 95% in the last decade. Loss of habitat and food resources is the primary reason for monarchs’ decline, and residents can help them recover by providing these resources in their backyards! As a bonus, installing plants that help monarchs also benefits other pollinators, including honeybees and bumblebees.

The online workshops will take place on Zoom on Tuesday, October 29th, 7pm to 8pm and Wednesday, November 6th, 7pm to 8pm. The in-person workshops will be held Saturday, November 9, 1-2 p.m. 3-4 p.m. at the Solano Resource Conservation District Fall Plant Sale, 4513 Putah Creek Road, Winters.

Each workshop covers the same material. To register, please fill out the form at the following link: or contact Sammy Flohr at [email protected].

Workshop participants have the opportunity to purchase a Monarch Waystation kit for $25 (one per home while supplies last) at the Solano Resource Conservation District Spring Native Plant Sale. These kits contain the perfect mix of flowering plants to feed both monarch butterflies and caterpillars, including 12 milkweed plants for monarch caterpillars to eat and pupate, and 24 flowering plants to provide nectar for adult butterflies. Simple drip irrigation kits that attach to a hose nozzle are also available for purchase to make monarch habitat installation a breeze.

The Solano Resource Conservation District’s annual fall plant sale will be held on Saturday, November 9, from noon to 4 p.m. at Green River Brewing and Taproom, 4513 Putah Creek Road in Winters. In addition to Monarch Waystation kits, many types of California native and drought-tolerant plants are available for purchase.