One of the biggest threats to pollinators is loss of habitat. You can create habitat that supports Monarchs and other pollinators in your yard or even on your patio or porch by planting native plants and removing non-native and especially exotic invasive plants. Xerces Society provides resources for landscaping for pollinators as well as community science opportunities. National Wildlife Federation offers resources and certification for your garden. If you’re in Knoxville, use the Natural Landscape Guidelines to avoid code violations. 

Unfortunately, insecticides kill pollinators, too, not just the pest species. Only use pesticides when necessary and then only in very targeted applications. Buying organic as much as you can afford supports farmers that limit pesticide use. Creating pollinator habitat will also encourage natural pest predators like songbirds, spiders and wasps to patrol your garden to keep pests under control. Xerces Society has information about pesticides and alternatives.

As our climate changes, habitats change with it, often in ways that make it difficult for pollinators to survive. The best way to limit climate change is to decrease the use of fossil fuels which takes carbon out of the ground and releases it into the air where it traps heat. Some of the most impactful ways include buying the most fuel efficient vehicle you can afford, replacing older inefficient appliances and heat and air systems with ones that have the Energy Star label, winterizing your home and supporting renewable energy. KUB’s Go Green program and TVA’s Energy Right program offer a number of options for increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy use.

Butterflies that are raised by humans tend to be smaller and less resilient than their wild counterparts and may carry diseases that are difficult to detect. These can spread to wild butterflies when they are released, causing local butterfly populations to suffer. If you choose to raise butterflies for educational reasons be sure to keep the butterflies for their entire life. Monarch Joint Venture has a handout with more details.

You can make a bigger difference if you involve your community. Purchase a pollinator yard sign from Xerces Society or National Wildlife Federation to start conversations with your neighbors about the benefits of planting native, attracting pollinators and avoiding pesticides. If you have a community space in your neighborhood, gather support for converting a portion of it to a pollinator garden. Contact your local, state and federal legislators about supporting pollinator-friendly legislation. National Wildlife Federation has an Advocacy Toolkit to get you started. You can also ask your city to sign onto the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge.