Producer: Vince Patton Videographers: Nick Fisher, Todd Sonflieth, Michael Bendixen Editor: Lisa Suinn-Kallem Additional Photos & Video: Warren & Laurie Halsey, Stephanie Hazen, Jim & Bonnie Kiser, Vince Patton, Jialiang Gao, Dr. Pablo Jaramillo López-UNAM, México Special Thanks: Stephanie Hazen, Chris Carvalho
![Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants.](https://opb-opb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5JD6NLDK5NDLVK2CBHPK2I7TWY.jpg?auth=4297f31771871a983d862de502cddca0f409eabc29eeaf0b1e4657e97eeb4c0f&width=150)
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants.
Courtesy: Stephanie Hazen.
Monarch butterfly populations have declined 90 percent across the US. A key piece of their habitat has been wiped out by farms and urban sprawl.
![Monarchs, when in their caterpillar stage, rely on milkweed for food. They also incorporate milkweed toxins making their own bodies taste terrible to birds, shielding them from being eaten.](https://opb-opb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SJH4BHJPVJEVPJBLVMTNT7UTNY.jpg?auth=106414f32b0be40504b01c1d074d047bfd7661963f9ebf58563b52e425798a4b&width=150)
Monarchs, when in their caterpillar stage, rely on milkweed for food. They also incorporate milkweed toxins making their own bodies taste terrible to birds, shielding them from being eaten.
Todd Sonflieth / OPB
Milkweed is the single most important plant for monarchs. It’s the only one they lay their eggs on and young caterpillars eat.
![Jim Kiser checks on milkweed he planted at George Fox University in Newberg.](https://opb-opb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O73PTM2TD5BDDCLSF6B34AUFFI.jpg?auth=bcc8dbe7c8a915fb14b8367244652529d57db99bd9519f6372abac81753f6033&width=150)
Jim Kiser checks on milkweed he planted at George Fox University in Newberg.
Michael Bendixen / OPB
People are encouraged to plant milkweed wherever they can to help monarchs along their long migration routes.
![A monarch caterpillar and a monarch chrysallis side by side.](https://opb-opb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJTPR547IZA25OSPKMFI4A3OF4.jpg?auth=9082146c938ec5063b3913e27e2cef257eb68265d8840787cd8c1e43f0ce095d&width=150)
A monarch caterpillar and a monarch chrysallis side by side.
Nick Fisher / OPB
Resources and Information
US Fish & Wildlife: Save the Monarch
How Your Backyard Can Help Monarchs