The NWCC (Northwest Cook County) Sierra Club is currently forming a group in conjunction with the Illinois Chapter’s Monarch/Pollinator team to support the monarch/pollinator movement. Although the monarch butterfly was chosen as the symbol of our campaign, we recognize that it is one of many insects that are in trouble from loss of habitat and pesticides.
CAMPAIGN MISSION:
1. Support the movement across Illinois to stop the decline of monarchs and other pollinators by supporting policies and practices designed to protect and increase habitat for monarchs and other pollinators.
2. Support policies and practices that protect monarchs/pollinators from other risks, such as pesticides.
3. Build Group capacity The Illinios Chapter has established objectives, as well as several objectives that the NWCC team can select from.
The objectives fall under the headings of Legislative and Policy Initiatives and Outreach and Education.
If you are interested in being a part of our team to support this campaign, please contact Cathy Menke.
The Illinois Monarch Pledge is Now Open!
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Getting Your Milkweed Seeds Started
Milkweed seeds require cold stratification before planting, most types for at least 60 days. There are many ways to accomplish this but we are going to try what is trending right now, recycling plastic milk jugs/containers. Seeing as milk jugs were something we did not have on hand, using cat litter plastic containers was the next choice for our experiment. You want to use a clear or opaque plastic. If you use an opaque one like we did, you need to put in some extra drainage holes in the bottom. Toss the lids in the recycling bin, you won't need them as you want water to enter the container when it rains. Here is what you do:
#1 Gather the materials you will need.
#2 Drill, or puncture, the drainage holes in the bottom.
#3 Using the marker, make your cutting mark about 5 inches from the bottom.
#4 Make the cut around 3 sides of the container, leaving one side uncut to form a "hinge". We used the box cutter for this.
#5 Add about 4 inches of seed starter soil. DO NOT use the kind with the moisture control added to it. Put the container where it can drain and moisten the soil, being careful not to water forcefully which would compact the soil. Using a watering can or spray nozzle at your sink is your best bet.
#6 Sprinkle your seeds and gently press onto the dirt. Another method is to cut paper towel or wrapping paper tubing into about 4 1/2 inch pieces and press it all the way to the bottom of the container. Put a couple seeds in each paper roll section. The idea here is that the plants will be easier to extract when it is time to plant. We are trying both methods. After you have placed the seed in the dirt put a layer of more dirt on top, no more than 1/4 inch.
#7 Now it is time to seal it up! Close the lid, which is the upper half of the container, and place the duct tape completely around the container, being careful to create a tight seal around the cut that you made in the container. It is imperative that the tape completely seals the 3 cut sides. If you are planting more than one type of milkweed you will want to label the container with the name of the plant.
#8 Place your growing container outside where it will get some sun. Attaching it to a fence or pole is a good idea and just wait for Spring! We will be sure to let you know if it worked for us. Let us know if it worked for you.
