Today, we released the 500th healthy, adult Monarch! I reached and surpassed my goal! To date, 563 Monarchs have been tagged and successful launched! Farmer John, owner of Mingodale Farm, had the honor of releasing #500...a beautiful female (in John's hand). John has been incredibly kind, allowing me to wander his fields in search of Monarch eggs and larvae, and to pick bags of milkweed to feed all the livestock. Did I mention his produce and eggs are incredible?
I also need to thank two wonderful ladies, without whose support, achieving this goal would have been impossible. Natalie Hamilton's and Sara Yousa's help has been invaluable. Natalie found some magical paradises where Monachs just thrive! She also has done an awesome job marketing my efforts to help the Monarchs. Sara's kindness and assistance helped make this impossible goal possible. Plus, her photography skills are amazing.
And, special thanks to my love, Steve. He has put up with all this Monarch nonsense! He has also taken on extra chores and been wonderfully supportive of my endeavor. Steve ROCKS!
But I am not done yet! I have a least a dozen containers of Monarchs in chrysalis and there are several more containers of larvae: munching milkweed and awaiting their wings.
I have had the time of my life, meeting people, educating about Monarchs, and watching the joy on their faces as they launch them into the sky! This has been so much fun!