There are many reliable resources to consult for information about monarchs and pollinator conservation. Some of these include xerces.org/monarchs and monarchjointventure.org . To learn more about bumble bee conservation, visit xerces.org/bumblebees .
Many people are afraid of bees and other insects, so it’s especially important for people to understand that insect pollinators are crucial to ecosystem health and food production.
Pesticides are harmful to monarch, bee, and other pollinator populations. By supporting local, organic agriculture, you are sending a message to agricultural producers that you prioritize goods produced using sustainable practices that also benefit pollinators.
Planting flowers, vegetables, and fruits (especially native plants) in your yard or neighborhood supports insect pollinators. Planting native milkweeds supports monarchs.
Also, remove any new plant growth at the base of the plant. It will be necessary to prune frequently (every 3 weeks) as it quickly re-grows. Consider replacing your tropical milkweed with appropriate California native milkweed species.
See the section below entitled “Milkweeds to Plant in Contra Costa County.”
In addition to encouraging plant vendors and nurseries to grow and sell native milkweeds, stress the importance of ensuring that all pollinator plants are grown without pesticides. The use of neonicotinoids is of particular concern as, according to the Monarch Joint Venture, "They are systemic, meaning that when they are applied, plants absorb and distribute the compounds to all parts of the plant, making the leaves, nectar, pollen, and woody tissue toxic to insects and other arthropods that feed on them." Learn more about the impacts of pesticide use on monarchs here.
For more information, see “Getting Involved in Community Efforts.”
Milkweed is the monarch butterfly’s host plant, and it’s the only plant that monarchs lay their eggs on. Monarch caterpillars eat the latex-sap-containing milkweed leaves, which make the caterpillars unpalatable to predators. Milkweed is also an important nectar source for honey bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
There are 15 species of milkweed that are native to California. Of those milkweeds, the 3 species that are ideal to plant in Contra Costa County are featured below. You can help monarchs by planting these drought-tolerant native milkweed plants in your yard! Click on the photos below to see our Contra Costa County Milkweed Planting Guide. To learn more about these special plants, check out The Xerces Society’s guide to California’s native milkweeds.
The Bay Area is fortunate to have dozens of nurseries that sell California native milkweed plants and seeds. That said, If you are looking to purchase milkweed with the intent to establish monarch habitat, there are several important factors to consider before selecting a nursery. You can help monarchs by doing your part to ensure that the milkweeds you buy are California natives; were not treated with Bt, neonicotinoids, or other pesticides; and were grown in a facility with phytosanitary practices in place. Taking these precautions will help ensure that the milkweed you plant has the best chance to thrive, will not harm monarchs or other pollinators, and will not spread diseases to plants or pollinators.
Currently, there are only a select few local nurseries that grow milkweeds that are appropriate for planting in our area, employ exemplary phytosanitary practices, and do not use pesticides. The combination of these factors means that the following nurseries can be considered “gold standard” vendors for milkweed plants that are ideal for establishing monarch habitat in Contra Costa County. (Just because a nursery is listed below does not guarantee the availability of milkweed—please contact the nursery to inquire about their current inventory.)
The Watershed Nursery
601 A Canal Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804
You can read about the best management practices used at The Watershed Nursery here!
Native Here Nursery
101 Golf Course Drive
Tilden Regional Park
Berkeley, CA 94708
You can read about the best management practices used at Native Here Nursery here!
Guidelines for Purchasing Milkweed Plants
Guidelines for Purchasing or Collecting Milkweed Seeds
Resources to Help You Find Milkweed Plants and Seeds to Purchase
Have you ever considered replacing your lawn with native plants? Not only are most native plants drought tolerant, but many are excellent for pollinators! Check out these programs and tools:
The Mission of the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District is to Facilitate Conservation and Stewardship of the Natural Resources in Contra Costa County.