We had another great Golf Industry Show in 2020. It was wonderful to see so many Superintendents and others involved in butterfly habitat efforts on golf courses. Fantastic conversations were had with friends and partners with planning underway for expanded support to grow Monarchs In The Rough. New relationships are being forged to increase monitoring and scientific study of how native plantings are performing. People from across the United States visited with Audubon International Staff at the booth on the show floor to discuss options for their golf property and how the initiative might fit in with their operation.
Golf course managers enrolled 73 new acres on the spot and online registrations continue to come in. Sign up TODAY if you would like to get involved in 2020 as resources for free seed are being allocated rapidly! Target states are those West of Mississippi River plus IL, IN, MI, OH, PA & WI.
Vic Morales (above, from Michigan) brought us some promotional decals that they are using to spread the word about the good work they’re accomplishing for pollinators on golf courses in his area.
In addition to the booth, #MonarchsInTheRough was highlighted in two panel sessions featuring Audubon International Board Members, Ted Horton & Matt Ceplo. Ted’s information was presented to 150 people and Matt’s to 60. Program Manager, Marcus Gray, taught a continuing education class about native/naturalized areas management with Dave Kaplow from Eco-Management to 50 attendees. Presentations from at least two other speakers specifically mentioned Monarchs In The Rough by name and directed golf personnel to program resources.
During the butterfly flight season this year, we will be ramping up surveys of plantings to measure plant response and monarch use. Things are really beginning to get exciting on-the-ground as many installations are reaching maturity and it will be great to see how established plots are helping pollinators. These data will be compared to responses our office received from Superintendents in the Summer 2019 Participant Survey. If you or Citizen Science groups in your vicinity would like to assist in counting milkweed stems or documenting butterflies observed on your course, please contact us!
