The Monarch Encouragement team created Butterfly Hill on the Riverview Expressway as a site for pollinators.
The mission of the Monarch Encouragement Project is to encourage and support the expansion of pollinator habitat in South Wood County, and particularly Wisconsin Rapids area, by providing educational, financial, logistical, and human resources and support to individuals and organizations.
Our Vision: Creating a corridor of pollinator friendly habitat from Lake Wazeecha in the Town of Grand Rapids to the east of Wisconsin Rapids continuing to Port Edwards, focusing on public roadsides, public bike trails, and walking trails.
We are working with Wood County and the City of Wisconsin Rapids to develop smarter mowing practices, increase area useful to nature, and create sustainable, peaceful, natural spaces for the community to enjoy. We invite friends, families, & groups to adopt a space and make it their own Monarch Wayside Garden promoting native plants for they require little attention and grow the best in our area, supporting the native insects and birds that we have here in Central Wisconsin.
Here are tips to protect pollinators:
Limit the use of chemical pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers as a last resort and control the amount, range, and weather conditions.
When using sprays, powders, etc. in yard and garden, carefully read and follow the directions on the container.
Even when using natural pest control products such as neem oil and diatomaceous earth, limit usage to times when pollinating insects are less likely to visit your garden.
Purchase eco-friendly and cruelty-free household cleaning products, lawn care products, and personal care products when possible.
Consider whether the benefits of using the pesticides and other yard chemicals outweigh the risks to children, pets and wildlife.
Reduce weeds by mulching, adding ground cover, foraging suitable types, and weeding by hand. Large weedy areas can be managed by introducing grazing animals. This also serves to fertilize ground cover at healthy levels.
Practice co-planting techniques to discourage unwanted garden pests. Introducing plants such as citronella, rosemary, marigolds, basil, mint, catnip, or lavender can effectively repel problematic insects.
Avoid pesticides with half lives longer than 21 days.
Many herbicides and insecticides have proven toxic to humans. Exposure to dioxins found in many of these products has been linked to birth defects, certain cancers, blood disorders, diseases of the nervous and immune system, and reproductive health issues. Clean Green Action promotes sustainable practices to protect people from contaminated water, soil, and air. Sustainable landscaping and gardening address environmental issues by using numerous practices to prevent damage to our yards, gardens and neighborhoods that can affect pets and humans. There has been a large decrease in the number of birds, insects, bats, and other wildlife due to habitat destruction and pollution. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, homeowners use 10 times more pesticides than farmers. This excess ends up in the rivers and streams.
The Monarch Encouragement team created Butterfly Hill on the Riverview Expressway as a site for pollinators.