NLC Receives Bring Back the Monarchs Grant

The Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) selected NLC to receive a “Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas” grant for 2018.Only 28 proposals were chosen from a field of 69 total applicants.  NPSOT looked for proposals that indicated strong evidence of gardening knowledge and skills, good planning, and a carefully selected mix of nectar plants and native milkweeds for the region.   They also chose gardens for their overall usefulness to Monarchs, including outreach and educational use. 

 NLC received $300 from the grant and will use the funds to replenish nectar plants and milkweeds in the college's Monarch Waystation, located on the path on the west side of the Wellness Building. NLC students will participate in planting the nectar plants and milkweed when they arrive. 

Since 2015, biology students have used the Monarch Waystation as an outdoor laboratory to study Monarchs and other flora and fauna and to compare the effects of climate change on the environment in both our local area and in other climate zones.  

The Native Plant Society of Texas promotes research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example.  The “Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas” program was started to fund small grants to fund development of Monarch Waystation demonstration gardens.  The Waystations are used to educate the public about Monarch conservation and to encourage restoration of Monarch habitats throughout the Texas migration flyway.

 You can view more photos from NLC’s Monarch Waystation here.