Migrating Monarchs Are Using Arkansas' Razorback Greenway As A Super Highway
By Carol Ann Carson|Published September 17, 2019
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
Cyclists aren’t the only ones taking advantage of the Razorback Greenway in Northwest Arkansas. The NWA trail is being adopted by monarch butterflies because of the efforts of local Arkansans. While hikers and bikers are casually enjoying the trail, these butterflies are using it as a super highway during their peak migration season. Let’s learn more about the insect initiative and the beautiful results.
The Razorback Regional Greenway has gradually been connecting the cities of NWA since 2000.
Improvements and new portions are consistently being added to the now nearly 40-mile long trail. The trail connects Fayetteville to Bella Vista but one particular city is making extra effort for the trail's smallest users. Springdale has created a special dedication to the monarchs passing through the city.
In 2016, the city of Springdale joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Save The Monarch Butterfly program. This effort focuses on habitat cultivation for the vanishing species.
Springdale for Monarchs is a local community group that has blossomed from this initiative. The group mainly works with nearby schools to get students involved in the conservation effort. Since 2016 the group has created microbeds, waystations, and gardens primarily along the Razorback Greenway.
The group primarily plants a perennial called swamp milkweed. They have reseeded miles along the Razorback Greenway to create a sort of super highway for the monarchs. This native flower is the host plant for monarchs. The butterflies lay their eggs on the milkweed and the caterpillars only eat this type of plant. What's even better is that pollinators of all types benefit from the plethora of milkweed. The city had a grant approved by the National Wildlife Federation so all of these planted milkweed are being reimbursed, too!
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September and early November are the peak months to see the migrating monarchs.
Earlier this spring Arkansas was lucky enough to be part of the pathway of millions of monarchs heading north. Now the 4th generation of this group is headed back to Mexico.
Now is the time to take the trail and see these beautiful creatures in their travels.
If you'd like to learn more about the city's effort you can follow their Facebook Page.
Have you seen a kaleidoscope of butterflies along the Razorback Greenway? Share your monarch photos in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
Take the southern portion of the trail in Fayetteville to see the state’s only butterfly house. If all that monarch spotting has made you hungry, take the Greenway to this lovely trailside restaurant.
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