Letter to the Editor: Help keep monarch butterflies migrating through our area

It is a beautiful world, and the monarch butterfly helps by adding its color to the landscape. Not only does it do this, but it is crucial to pollinating all plants.

The Tiverton Arts Council invites nature and beauty lovers of all ages to join in the adventure of preserving the monarch butterfly in our beautiful town landscape.

We are part of the migration route of the monarch, and it is essential that there is enough food available along its journey. Milkweed is necessary to the caterpillar phase of its life, and goldenrod plants provide the energy for the long flight.

The monarch butterfly needs a steady supply of milkweed as well as goldenrod along its path. Unfortunately, these two plants have been diminishing over the years. Many grow in locations that are being developed and others are replaced by other landscaping.

The Tiverton Arts Council proposes that there be a town wide effort to re-establish this food source for the monarchs while passing through our lovely town.

If you have either of these plants in your yard, encourage their growth.

If you have a business such as a junkyard, quarry or any type of manufacturing facility, please consider planting and encouraging the growth of these plants on your property.

As a positive part of the landfill closing, Tiverton should plant milkweed and goldenrod as part of the process.

If we all band together and contribute to the effort we will be helping the preservation of the butterfly.

The Tiverton Arts Council, to highlight the beauty of the monarch butterfly is planning a monarch butterfly exhibit for the summer 2020 at Town Hall. We encourage everyone to take pictures, paint or otherwise replicate the Monarch or its habitat.

The Arts Council will try to secure some funding for seeds or milkweed plants. Information will be on the Arts Council website.

Everyone is all invited to participate, including schools, Scouts, and other community groups.

Join us in cheering on the monarch butterflies.

Barbara Pelletier

Chair of the Tiverton Arts Council