Turtle Back Zoo
What are pollinators?
Pollinators are animals that carry pollen from one plant to another and allow for growth of new plants. There are many different species of pollinators including bees, bats, small mammals, and some species of birds. Monarch butterflies are common pollinators native to North America. Every year, monarchs migrate from areas such as ours to Mexico – some traveling over 3,000 miles!
Fun Fact: Butterflies taste with their feet and smell with their antenna. They smell flowers through their antenna and will taste the flower with their feet to find nectar. When they find the nectar they will send out their proboscis to drink up the nectar.
What are their threats?
Unfortunately, due to human development, their habitat is shrinking with their population declining 85% in the last two decades. Monarchs rely heavily on native milkweed who’s numbers are also declining due to habitat loss and the planting of non-native plants. Monarch’s lay their eggs on milkweed where they grow into caterpillars that feed off of the milkweed. Without native milkweed, Monarchs are unable to reproduce and we have less of these important pollinators.
How are we helping?
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and The Zoological Society of New Jersey helped to support AZA’s Monarch SAFE and the Monarch Joint Venture in their mission to protect pollinators. Monarch Joint Ventures is helping increase Monarch populations by planting milkweed across the nation. By working with local organizations, they are able to plant local milkweed that benefits Monarch populations. During 2024, for every membership sold, a portion of proceeds went towards Monarch Joint Venture creating pollinator gardens and those who bought a membership received a Pollinator Pop where they could plant their own pollinator plants in their backyard! Four butterfly gardens will be created and Monarch Joint Venture is working with local organizations to decide where in the country they will be planted.
Monarch Joint Venture news letter featuring Turtle Back Blooms info