learn more about
OUR MISSION
JOIN US IN SUPPORTING THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY MIGRATION, CONSERVATION, & EDUCATION
A big part of The Monarch Sanctuary Project's mission is to raise awareness for monarch butterfly conservation. We envision a world in which monarchs and pollinators are treated with compassion and where safe, sustainable alternatives are used for gardens and natural habitats everywhere.
The monarch population has been on a decline for nearly 2 decades. As of July 2022, our beloved migratory monarch butterfly, scientifically known as Danaus plexippus, has officially entered the danger zone! Monarchs are now listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
One of the greatest threats to monarch butterflies is the loss of habitat, and creating habitat sanctuaries is how we can all help.
A 501c3 non-profit organization that tethers monarch conservation to the human experience
We are honored to focus our efforts on the following:
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Encourage and maintain natural habitats for pollinators
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Offer digestible education that empowers people to build their own natural habitat
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Build awareness and agency in our local communities
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Grow and distribute native milkweeds and nectars
What We Do
Our Impact
The Monarch Sanctuary Projects works to raise awareness for monarch butterfly conservation and to help protect their habitat so that they can safely migrate through Central Texas. Together, with your support, we successfully grew more critical Texas native milkweed (the only plant Monarch caterpillars can eat), distributed Texas native milkweed and nectars to create more Monarch-safe habitats across Central Texas, inspired folks to become land stewards through educational workshops and interpretive experiences, and strengthened partnerships across Central Texas. With you by our side, Monarchs can keep shining as one of the most incredible biological wonders of the world!
Native Milkweed Grow Operation
We all know how important Texas native milkweed is, but when was the last time you found native milkweed at your local nursery? That is why the Monarch Sanctuary Project started growing our own. From local and sustainable seed collection to cold stratification, we obsess over each step to ensure that Monarch caterpillars have milky leaves to feast on.
2025 Recap:
Conservation Accomplishments:
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Native Garden Giveaway
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Awarded 13 more, 100 sq. ft., all-season native habitats in both Travis and Williamson counties
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40 native habitats to date (4,000 sq. ft. added)
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Lake Pflugerville Native Habitat Maintenance
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Continued native habitat maintenance at Lake Pflugerville of 6 plant beds (40 native plants added)
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Texas Native Milkweed Grow Program
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3,000 Texas native milkweed plants successfully grown
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Over 11,000 native milkweeds to date
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Native Nectar Plants Giveaway
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450 native nectar plants given away at educational workshops and other community outreach events
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Berry Springs Park and Preserve – Milkweed Loop
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Native milkweed large scale seed spread for the dedicated Milkweed Loop trail – 1,000 seeds added!
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Waterloo Greenway Demonstration Gardens
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Provided 100 native milkweeds for a demonstration garden with regular tours to educate and inspire people to plant native milkweeds
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Native Milkweed and Nectar Plant Sales
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Hosted 1 presale and 2 pop-up events to get our native milkweeds and nectar plants out into our local communities
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Educational Accomplishments:
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WILCO Conservation Symposium presentation: Gardening for our Monarchs
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Presented digestible education to over 100 attendees on basic Monarch biology, understanding the migration and how to support them, including plant selection
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City of Pflugerville presentation: Impacting Change - Gardening for Native Pollinators
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Provided educational session to over 30 attendees on native gardening to support all of our Texas native pollinators
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Community Outreach Events
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Waterloo Greenway Earth Day
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Native milkweed tours for attendees
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80 native nectar plants given away
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FIN “Falling in Love with Nature”
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100 native nectar plants given away
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Waterloo Greenway Morning Glories: Reading of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”
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Gave away 60 native nectar plants and Monarch lifecycle temporary tattoos
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UMLAUF Sculpture Gardens “Wild About Nature”
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80 native nectar plants given away
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Goodwater Texas Master Naturalists “Balconies to “Backyards”
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Educational tabling for over 120 in attendance
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Roots & Wings Festival – Host for: “Saving the Monarchs - We Can Do It”
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Gave away 80 native nectar plants
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Lead tours of our Monarch demonstration gardens of native milkweed to educate and inspire people to plant native milkweeds and nectars
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2 book readings of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Hello, Little One”
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Creative Collaborations/Interpretation
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Oertli Park, “Lithic Islands” artist, Jamie Spinello and Blue Sage Gardens collaboration
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Planted a mix of native milkweed and nectars (300 sq. ft. added)
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Immersive and engaging experience for viewers to continually observe local flora and fauna and discover different natural phenomena in the garden space throughout the seasons
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Austin Fashion Week, designer Lana Horak’s “The Monarch” dedicated collection to Monarch Sanctuary Project
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Pflugerville Greenhouse Clean- up Day with the Eagle Scouts
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Cleaned up 576 sq. ft. of greenhouse space that is crucial for growing and protecting native milkweed and native nectars
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