Help TPE Collect Milkweed Seed

Reprinted in part from The Prairie Enthusiasts‘ (TPE) 8-2-17 BLOG entitled “HELP TPE COLLECT MILKWEED SEED.”

“The Prairie Enthusiasts have implemented a Monarch Butterfly Cooperative Agreement with the US Fish & Wildlife Service to manage and restore habitat for monarchs throughout Wisconsin. These efforts have resulted in more remnants being cleared of brush, and new acres of prairie planted. Currently there are several projects underway throughout TPE’s service area that need more milkweed seed to help with the on-going grant projects. These include:

• Trout Unlimited has a cost share grant project through the USDA to conduct stream restoration, and plant prairie back along the stream banks in the Wisconsin and the Minnesota Driftless Area.
• The Southwest Grasslands Stream Conservation Area covers portions of Dane, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties. Currently Driftless Area Land Conservancy has a monarch butterfly grant to manage and restore prairie in the region.
• Due to recent flooding, the Northwest Illinois Prairie Enthusiasts are in need of swamp milkweed for their seed mixes this year.”

“TPE’s Milkweed to Monarchs initiative gives members and volunteers a Grassroots Conservation in Action approach to this threat to Monarchs….By collecting your milkweed seeds this fall, you will be making a difference and together we will have a big impact with this restoration effort.

Thank you for considering this initiative. We are asking people to collect their milkweed seed this summer and fall, send it to TPE and the seed will contribute to these regional efforts. Please email Chris Kirkpatrick or call the office at 608-638-1873 to let us know you are interested in participating and what types & amounts of milkweed you can provide.”

For more details about this initiative and collecting the seed, go to the referenced blog posting of Milkweed for Monarchs.