It’s that time of the year for our annual milkweed pod collection and Seneca Conservation District will once again serve as a collection hub for the area. As you know, milkweed is the preferred food and nesting source for the monarch butterfly. Monarch populations are dwindling in numbers due to insufficient habitat (Milkweed Plant) attributed to land-use changes and extreme weather events.
The monarch has a unique life cycle that spans four generations in a single year, with the last generation migrating from its northern birthplace in the upper Great Lake states and southern Canada, back down to Mexico where they over-winter. The adult Monarch uses the nectar of the milkweed and other flowering plants in their diet, whereas, the larval Monarch caterpillar feeds, exclusively on the milkweed plant.
The Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative collects milkweed pods from various sources, including Seneca Conservation District, and we need your help. We ask local conservation groups, scouting organizations, and citizens to assist in the collection of pods. The pods must be collected when they have dried and are just about to open. Do not collect any green pods; they cannot be processed because the seeds within, have not matured (see below).
Finally, it is strongly recommended that only 25% of the pods be harvested off each plant. This allows the plant to propagate in the area where they inhabit. Use paper grocery bags to collect and store the pods.
There is a labeled, plastic recycling tote at the Seneca Conservation District office where participants can bring those pods they have harvested. We are located at 3140 South State Route 100, Tiffin. The drop-box is located at the rear entrance to the building. The deadline to drop off any pods is October 31st.
Questions?
Drop Off Location:
- 3140 S SR 100, Tiffin
