Monarchs and Milkweed in Your San Leandro Garden

In conjunction with the San Leandro Main Library's exhibit "Monarchs & Milkweed: A Story of Survival" from from April 2 to May 30, 2026, here is a list of local resources including digital links to help you learn more about supporting Monarch butterflies in our local East Bay 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 and without disturbing the butterflies when they are in winter dormancy. 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.

Please visit and follow the 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 local events.

HHSL’s web 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 (Asclepias curassavica). Sources: Xerces Society and Monarch Joint Venture Fact Sheets.

Xerces Society Priority Action Zones in California for Recovering Western Monarchs: 
https://xerces.org/publications/fact-sheets/priority-action-zones-in-california-for-recovering-western-monarchs

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

Article from Reasons To Be Cheerful: "Can We Bring Back The Butterflies?"

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

Related Events in April & May 2026

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 – At the Main Library "Butterfly Storytime: Flutter & Create" for ages 3+

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

Tuesday, April 28, 6:00pm - At the Main Library “Gardening to Support Monarch Butterflies” with Master Gardener Irene Beebe. Hosted by Evergreen Nursery. 

Saturday, May 2, 10:00am - At the San Leandro Marina Butterfly/Nature Walk with Ann Graham, Friends of the San Leandro Creek 

Saturday, May 9, 1:00pm – At the Main Library “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.