About Us
The vision of this program of the Monarch Initiative stared in 2016 when three retired grannies decided they needed something more meaningful than their regular lunches. They wanted to leave a legacy, for their families and their community. After two years of researching and lunching, they decided that Monarchs were in dire need of help. So, they began recruiting friends and monarch experts, developing plans and writing grants and participating in fundraising. In 2018, they worked with the Schaumburg Park District and a team of 60+ volunteers. Monarch rearing cages were built at the Spring Valley Nature Center and trained volunteers began raising monarchs from eggs. The project required a minimum of 1.5 hours a week per volunteer, seven days a week from June to September. In 2019, the volunteers released monarchs, raised from eggs, at twice daily educational events. Over 6,000 people attended these events, and we were honored with a Governor’s Hometown Award for our work. In 2020 and 2012 we could no longer use park facilities, due to COVID. However, volunteers raised them in their homes. To continue their educational outreach, they affiliated with the University of Georgia’s Project Monarch Health.
Gallery
We love to take pictures to share the joy our program brings to everyone.
2017 Organization
Formed a core group to research project, form relationships with experts, establish goals, policies and procedures, raise funds for cages and rearing supplies. Bought table cloths to decorate Park Foundation tables and held a Bottle Pull at the Foundation Summer Solstice . Had a butterfly display and release for the Environmental Committee at Septemberfest.
2018 Rearing Cages Opened
Recruited and trained volunteers to raise monarchs at Spring Valley Nature Center. Held twice daily monarch releases, 7 days a week. Butterflies checked for OE disease before, named and released on a child’s finger. Diseased monarchs were humanely euthanized. Worked with the Barrington Area Conservancy and Field Museum, Collins School Monarch Tagging Project, held Adios Amigo’s Tagging Event, Raised additional funds for Schaumburg Park Foundation, participated in the Spring Valley and Woodfield Corporate Holiday Boutiques. Did special presentations for handicapped visitors with handicapped monarchs for NWARI and Ray Graham. Provided butterflies and display materials for the Park District & Environmental Committee for Septemberfest. Released monarchs at park district camps and day care facilities when available.
2019 Community Outreach and Volunteer Skills Expanded
Visitors to the releases were weather related going from a few dozen to over two hundred. Expanded the program above by training 14 teams of volunteers to do all the rearing, testing, releasing and public presentations, that only a few volunteers knew how to do the first year. More than 6,000 people were counted and logged at the daily release during the 2019 season. Won a Governor’s Hometown Award. Collins School Monarch Tagging Project
2020 Covid Changed the Program
Volunteers raised and released monarchs at their homes. Some raised monarchs for the University of Georgia Project Monarch Health. No fundraising was allowed.
2021 Homebound Again
Volunteers are already planning to raise monarchs in their homes. We will expand our Citizen Science work with the University of Georgia and take a leadership role in the Illinois Monarch Project. A July fundraiser with Trickster Cultural Center is being planned for Saturday July 31st.