From cute critters climbing up the walls to orange butterflies soaring through the air, Ojai Valley School is experiencing an unprecedented outburst of monarch butterflies this spring, and teachers and students are racing like never before to protect the imperiled population one habitat at a time.
It is a collective effort, one that involves caution tape and traffic cones to mark caterpillar crossings as they inch their way to feed on milkweed, their sole habitat. The species depends on that plant as its food source and home.
However, milkweed is not the most visually appealing plant and many growers and gardeners often uproot it from their fields and plots – either intentionally or from mistaking it for a weed.
Luckily for OVS, the plant is found in several areas around campus, and for years has been the focal point of preservation efforts aimed at providing a home and feeding ground for butterfly larvae – better known as caterpillars.
“This whole species depends on us providing this habitat and it’s such a small thing to do,” said English teacher Crystal Davis, who as Outdoor Education director took on the responsibility years ago of identifying the milkweed locations on campus and creating an education program to protect the habitat.
“We don’t just talk about conservation and wholeness of life,” added Ms. Davis, echoing some of the key tenants of the OVS philosophy. “We actually try to express ourselves in projects that demonstrate that.”
This year’s preservation effort comes just in the nick of time.
Monarchs have declined precipitously over the past decade, and could be on the brink of being listed as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act.
According to a petition filed with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, monarch numbers have dropped 90% over the past 20 years for a variety of reasons, chief among those the loss of their habitat and the use of the herbicide glyphosate, a key ingredient in Roundup.
A number of environmental groups filed the petition requesting protection for monarchs under the Endangered Species Act. In response, the federal agency earlier this year opened a “status review,” the first step in deciding whether monarchs should receive protected status.
If monarchs receive federal protection, farmers will have to limit their spraying or tilling of milkweed.
OVS is well ahead of the game, taking these steps before they became necessary.
With the arrival of the Upper Campus’ science and technology building in the mid-2000s came the emergence of milkweed plants, and OVS has accepted them with open arms.
Ms. Davis started the milkweed preservation project years ago, creating a series of signs that educate people about the milkweed habitat and that aim to prevent it from being uprooted. Over the years, she has had students help with this effort by selectively weeding out invasive weeds and replacing the sun-faded signs designed to encourage conservation and protection of the species.
This year, Assistant Head of School Laurel Colborn helped Ms. Davis block off the sidewalk connecting the butterfly habitats.
As it became apparent that many of the caterpillars were being unintentionally trampled, the pair went into crisis mode – making barricades out of yellow caution tape and putting up signs warning people to watch their step.
“I like butterflies and I want to see more of them in the world,” said Mrs. Colborn about her efforts to create the butterfly barrier. “We should care about all creatures large and small, and these in particular have chosen our campus as their home, so I feel like we should help them as best we can.”
The yellow police tape has brought a lot of attention to the area where the milkweed grows, and has provided valuable teaching lessons along the way.
Members of the photography class, excited by the new photo opportunity, have Photoshopped these creatures into their artwork. Maintenance workers have ventured over in curiosity to observe the creatures and help move them to safety.
Students have been doing the same thing, stooping over these plants to watch the critters feed.
Sophomore Katia Kanner has a soft-spot for nature and animals, and she was naturally was drawn to the scene.
“I think [OVS providing this habitat] is pretty cool, because most of the time we think we’re the one species and the ultimate importance,” Katia said. “But there are other animals on this planet and I think helping them, especially because they’re endangered, is cool. We’re thinking outside of ourselves.”
The monarch population is declining elsewhere in the world, but the population at OVS is increasing. This shows the school’s effort to create a community of acceptance and respect for the wildlife they share the campus with.
“A project like this happens because people come together to make it work,” Ms. Davis said. “Sometimes it requires doing things a different way that’s not always the easiest way, but we work together because it’s important to us.”
Click on the video below to watch time-lapse video, taken by Communications & Technology Associate Nick Safko, shortly after the emergence of one of the monarchs at the Upper Campus.
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