Monarchs and Milkweed in Your San Leandro Garden

In conjunction with the San Leandro Main Library's upcoming exhibit on "Monarchs & Milkweed: A Story of Survival" from April 2nd to May 30th, here is a list of local resources to help you learn more about how to support Monarch butterflies in our area.

Discover Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Sites

Western Monarchs overwinter in special areas along California's coastal regions. The eucalyptus grove in San Leandro's Monarch Bay Golf Course is where our local Monarchs spend their winter months.

Use the digital map on the Xerces Society’s site created by Western Monarch Count to see other East Bay locations.

Xerces Society is a leader in conservation work to protect beneficial insects and a valuable resource for Monarch butterfly info, including how to visit these sites responsibly. Western Monarch Count is a community driven project that monitors Monarch populations annually.

The Digital Map: https://westernmonarchcount.org/map-of-overwintering-sites/

How To Visit Overwintering Sites: https://xerces.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-visiting-overwintering-monarchs

Volunteer at the San Leandro Butterfly Garden 

Located across from the BART station under the eye-catching Monarch mural, the San Leandro Butterfly Garden provides Monarch habitat as well as public landscape beauty.

Help maintain this special native plant garden by volunteering on the first Saturday of every month from 10am to 12pm. You’ll be shown how to assist with the site’s care, plus meet fellow butterfly lovers.

San Leandro Butterfly Garden Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SanLeandroButterflyGarden

Join Homegrown Habitats San Leandro (HHSL)

HHSL is a group of San Leandro neighbors dedicated to native plant gardening for biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem. Partnering with the City of San Leandro, they maintain a container demo garden at the Manor Branch library and promote natives in private and public landscapes. To learn more, join their email list and attend their free events.

HHSL’s page on the City of San Leandro’s site: https://www.sanleandro.org/1154/Homegrown-Habitats-San-Leandro

Plant Native Milkweed In Your Garden

Native Milkweed species serve as the breeding habitat for Monarchs and sole food source for their baby caterpillars. The two most popular kinds locally are Narrow Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) and Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa).

You can find these special Milkweeds at native plant nurseries and independent garden centers like Evergreen Nursery right here in San Leandro.

Planting Advice: Avoid planting non-native milkweed species, especially tropical milkweed. (Sources: Xerces Society and Monarch Joint Venture Fact Sheets)

Xerces Society Fact Sheet 19-004_002: https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/19-004_002_Native%20Milkweed%20in%20California_Planting%20and%20Establishment.pdf

Monarch Joint Venture Fact Sheet: https://mjv.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/documents/OE_fact_sheet_Updated.pdf

Western Monarch Call To Action: https://xerces.org/western-monarch-call-to-action

Evergreen Nursery's California Native Plants Page:https://www.theevergreennursery.com/in-the-nursery/plants-by-type/california-natives/

Visit The San Leandro Library for Related Events 

In addition to hosting the exhibit from April 2nd to May 30th, the Main Library is offering locally-focused programs related to Monarch butterfly education including: 

Thursday, April 16, 4:00 pm – Butterfly Storytime: Flutter & Create for ages 3+

Saturday, April 18, 1:30 pm - “Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly” film screening and Q&A with director Kim Smith and local business Evergreen Nursery.

Tuesday, April 28, 6:00pm - “Gardening to Support Monarch Butterflies” with Master Gardener Irene Beebe; hosted by Evergreen Nursery. 

Saturday, May 2, 10:00am - Butterfly/Nature Walk with Ann Graham, Friends of the San Leandro Creek (this program takes place at the Marina)

Saturday, May 9, 1:00pm – “Gardening with Native Plants for Bees, Butterflies and Birds: an afternoon for the whole family with Homegrown Habitats San Leandro”

All Monarch & Milkweed Images On This Page Provided Courtesy of Homegrown Habitats San Leandro.