Monarch Watch rallies donors to earn top challenge spot

Funds will increase education efforts and plant giveaways.

Monarch butterflies feel as light as air, but the golden-orange and black pollinators carry great weight with donors who participated during 24 hours of giving on One Day One KU. During the giving event, KU affiliate Monarch Watch received 533 gifts, more than any school or unit, and came in first in the event's Participation Challenge. Overall, the organization raised more than $58,000.

Monarch Watch is an education, conservation and research program that focuses on the monarch butterfly, its habitat and its spectacular fall migration. For receiving the most gifts, Monarch Watch received a bonus of $16,000, which is the most that could be earned in the Participation Challenge.

Monarch Watch Director Kristen Baum said receiving the challenge funds means the organization can supply more free milkweed plants for monarchs to schools and educational nonprofit groups. Monarch Watch typically receives more applications for free milkweed than it can award.

"Milkweed is the only host plant for monarch caterpillars, and the challenge funds mean we can award more free plants through our free milkweed program," she said. "We are also planning to distribute some of our monarch education materials more broadly, especially information about how to create Monarch Waystations, which provide habitat for monarchs, including nectar plants to fuel the fall migration."

Monarch Watch provides people with information about the biology of monarch butterflies and their conservation needs, as well as resources for incorporating monarchs into education programs for people of all ages.    

"We are constantly looking for ways to expand our reach and broaden our impact, and One Day One KU allows us to do that."
— Kristen Baum, Director, Monarch Watch

"We lead and support research on monarch biology, and we promote the creation and protection of monarch habitats throughout North America,” Baum said. “At Monarch Watch, we are constantly looking for ways to expand our reach and broaden our impact, and One Day One KU allows us to do that.”

The bonus funds expand Monarch Watch’s opportunities to support monarch butterfly conservation, and Baum’s gratitude is immeasurable.

“Monarchs are incredible ambassadors for other wildlife and conservation, and a great connector of people, both to nature and to one another,” she said. “We are grateful to be part of the KU community and to do our part to make KU, Kansas and the world a better place. None of what we do would be possible without our donors and volunteers.”     