What's happening?
The Monarch Butterfly, the state butterfly of West Virginia, is disappearing from our state and from across the country. In fact, Monarch Butterflies population declines have become so pronounced that Monarchs are now being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act. While there are many causes for the Monarch’s decline (habitat loss, disease, etc.), there are also many potential solutions. Explore this site for some of these possibilities! Use it as a clearinghouse of information.
2018 WV Monarch SummitInformation of the 2018 WV Monarch Summit at WVU Jacksons Mills |
Monarch Butterfly InformationNatural History, Migration, Possible Listing under the Endangered Species Act, Conservation Efforts, Milkweeds and Nectar Resources |
Resources Informative links to resources for Monarchs, Pollinators, Habitat, and Threats |
News and EventsNews & EventsCurrent News, Current Events, Workshops, Progress on listing of Monarch to Endangered Species |
OUR GOAL
Our Monarchs and pollinators are disappearing.
We're working to change that!
We're working to change that!
DID YOU KNOW...
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...that the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus)
is the official State Butterfly of West Virginia?
WV Legislature image
1995 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11
(By Senators Schoonover, Anderson, Scott, Buckalew, Bailey, Manchin, Love, Whitlow, Helmick and Ross)
Declaring the monarch butterfly as the official state butterfly of West Virginia.
Whereas, West Virginia does not have an official state butterfly; and
Whereas, The monarch butterfly is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the region; and
Whereas, The monarch butterfly exists in abundance in West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the monarch butterfly is hereby declared the official butterfly of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the governor.
(Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=SCR11%20INTR.htm&yr=1995&sesstype=rs&i=11&houseorig=s&billtype=cr0)
(By Senators Schoonover, Anderson, Scott, Buckalew, Bailey, Manchin, Love, Whitlow, Helmick and Ross)
Declaring the monarch butterfly as the official state butterfly of West Virginia.
Whereas, West Virginia does not have an official state butterfly; and
Whereas, The monarch butterfly is one of the most beautiful butterflies in the region; and
Whereas, The monarch butterfly exists in abundance in West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the monarch butterfly is hereby declared the official butterfly of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the governor.
(Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=SCR11%20INTR.htm&yr=1995&sesstype=rs&i=11&houseorig=s&billtype=cr0)
...that September 12th
is the official Monarch Butterfly Day for WEST VIRGINIA?
2004 WV HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 28
(By Delegates Ennis, DeLong, Swartzmiller, Tucker, Yost, Wakim and L. White)
Requesting that September 12th of every year be declared as West Virginia Monarch Butterfly Day.
Whereas, The Monarch Butterfly, scientifically known as Danaus plexippus and nicknamed the "milkweed butterfly", is the state butterfly; and
Whereas, The Monarch Butterfly has declined in population in recent years; and
Whereas, September 12, an established school day, will facilitate the study of the Monarch Butterfly migration through West Virginia; and
Whereas, Monarch butterflies migrate through West Virginia traveling north in July and migrate south in September and October; and
Whereas, September 12 offers warm weather, facilitating field trips to observe the Monarch on the milkweed; and
Whereas, September 12 is close to the day known as "Grandparents Day" which allows families to celebrate worthwhile family activities in celebration of grandparents and Monarch Butterflies; and
Whereas, The day to be set aside as West Virginia Monarch Butterfly Day would not require an absence from employment obligations as a legal observed holiday and not require funding to establish this observance on September 12; and
Whereas, The Monarch Butterfly being our state butterfly reflects our acknowledgment of the Monarch butterfly; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That September 12th of every year beginning with 2004 be set aside for the Monarch Butterfly to be acknowledged, pondered, studied, explored, conserved and celebrated.
(Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2004_Sessions/RS/Bills/hcr28%20intr.htm)
(By Delegates Ennis, DeLong, Swartzmiller, Tucker, Yost, Wakim and L. White)
Requesting that September 12th of every year be declared as West Virginia Monarch Butterfly Day.
Whereas, The Monarch Butterfly, scientifically known as Danaus plexippus and nicknamed the "milkweed butterfly", is the state butterfly; and
Whereas, The Monarch Butterfly has declined in population in recent years; and
Whereas, September 12, an established school day, will facilitate the study of the Monarch Butterfly migration through West Virginia; and
Whereas, Monarch butterflies migrate through West Virginia traveling north in July and migrate south in September and October; and
Whereas, September 12 offers warm weather, facilitating field trips to observe the Monarch on the milkweed; and
Whereas, September 12 is close to the day known as "Grandparents Day" which allows families to celebrate worthwhile family activities in celebration of grandparents and Monarch Butterflies; and
Whereas, The day to be set aside as West Virginia Monarch Butterfly Day would not require an absence from employment obligations as a legal observed holiday and not require funding to establish this observance on September 12; and
Whereas, The Monarch Butterfly being our state butterfly reflects our acknowledgment of the Monarch butterfly; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That September 12th of every year beginning with 2004 be set aside for the Monarch Butterfly to be acknowledged, pondered, studied, explored, conserved and celebrated.
(Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2004_Sessions/RS/Bills/hcr28%20intr.htm)
...that the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
is the official State Insect of West Virginia?
WV Legislature image
2002 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9
(By Senators Facemyer, Anderson, Ross, Helmick, Minear, Love, Bailey, Craigo, Edgell, Prezioso and Caldwell)
Designating the honey bee the official state insect.
Whereas, The sale of honey produced in West Virginia is an ever-growing segment of the state's economy; and
Whereas, The honey bee represents an insect whose activity produces more benefit to the state's economy than any other insect; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby designates the honey bee the official state insect; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor and the Commissioner of Agriculture.
(Source: http://www.wvculture.org/history/symbols/2002scr9.html)
(By Senators Facemyer, Anderson, Ross, Helmick, Minear, Love, Bailey, Craigo, Edgell, Prezioso and Caldwell)
Designating the honey bee the official state insect.
Whereas, The sale of honey produced in West Virginia is an ever-growing segment of the state's economy; and
Whereas, The honey bee represents an insect whose activity produces more benefit to the state's economy than any other insect; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby designates the honey bee the official state insect; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor and the Commissioner of Agriculture.
(Source: http://www.wvculture.org/history/symbols/2002scr9.html)
Other official state symbols can be found here: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Educational/Kids_Page/symbols.cfm