Monarch populations have been in decline in recent decades due to development, climate change, and other factors. Currently, monarch butterflies are under federal protection and may be added to the threatened species list by the end of 2025. Thankfully, there is at least one thing many of us can easily do to help monarch butterflies rebound: plant native milkweed in our yards and open spaces.

Public Lands’ Native Plant Program has added nine varieties of Utah native milkweed species to our project sites to help provide habitat and food sources for Monarchs, and other butterflies and pollinators. This effort started at Fairmont Park in the areas surrounding the pond and streams.

During their development, both larvae and their milkweed hosts are vulnerable to weather extremes, predators, parasites, and diseases; commonly fewer than 10% of monarch eggs and caterpillars survive.

“Petition to protect the Monarch butterfly” Xerces Society

Fairmont Park Monarch Waystation and Butterfly Habitat

Our Native Plant Program’s first project site was Fairmont Park, following a large-scale construction project in 2017-18 that upgraded the pond and surrounding infrastructure. Public Lands stabilized and reconstructed the stream banks, installed new boulders and stepping stones along the stream, and built planting areas throughout the western portion of the stream.

These planting areas were filled with Utah native plants, including many milkweed species and other plants that attract pollinators and butterflies.

The Fairmont Park Project is significant for its official “Monarch Butterfly Waystation” status, thanks to the work of a dedicated volunteer who leads the Utah chapter of Friends of Monarchs. At the time, Rachel Taylor worked in a building across the street from the Fairmont Park Pond, and she talked with Public Lands staff about the work they were doing along the streams. She already had a successful monarch waystation in her yard and offered to help create one at Fairmont.

Now, in the northeast corner of the park, a large native pollinator planting surrounds the pond and tributary streams. It includes nine types of Utah native milkweed plants, and in its first season, it successfully attracted many monarchs, whose eggs were found on the milkweed leaves. Eight of the nine types of milkweed are pictured below.

Why is milkweed so important to monarchs?

Monarchs’ reproductive success depends on milkweed because it is the ONLY food the caterpillars can eat. Caterpillars live on the milkweed for roughly two weeks, eating almost constantly. When they are ready to pupate, they usually leave the milkweed plant to find a suitable place to hang and form their chrysalis, producing a butterfly after 8-15 days.

What can I do to help monarch butterflies?

Plant a pollinator garden that contains milkweed! Even just a few milkweed plants can attract monarchs. You don’t need a big yard or a perfect garden, and many milkweed varieties are drought tolerant, with colorful, attractive blooms available in a variety of colors and textures.