Annetta doing their part for Monarch butterflies

When we see a child on a swing, playing hide-and-seek, or chasing a butterfly, we are reminded that it is the little things that bring us the greatest joy.

The late American author and motivational speaker Leo Buscaglia once said, “I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.”

The town of Annetta is doing their part to ensure such feelings as they have created a home for Monarch Butterflies.

The town council took the initiative during its meeting on Thursday, July 18, ensuring that future generations will be able to create memories that all can share. Mayor Sandy Roberts issued a proclamation for the town to raise awareness of Monarch Butterfly conservation and habitat creation and preservation.

In her proclamation, Roberts said the Monarch is known as the "Ambassador of the Americas" due to its multi- generational migration across Canada, the United States and Mexico. She stated its metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly has captured the imagination of millions of Americans, including Texans as it was designated as the state insect in 1995.

She also noted that 28 years ago, more than one billion Eastern Monarch Butterflies migrated to Mexico, but in the winter of 2014, only 60 million made the trip. In 2022, the migratory Monarch Butterfly was listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. 

“Monarchs need our help now more than ever,” Roberts declared.

The town of Annetta, in conjunction with the Parker County Master Gardeners Association, have created a waystation. A Monarch-friendly demonstration garden has been planted at Annetta Town Hall, along with converting an abandoned lot to Monarch habitat.

Roberts said citizens in Annetta can make a difference by planting native milkweed and nectar plants to provide habitats for the Monarch, along with pollinators in locations where people live, work, learn, play and worship.

“I’ll buy 100 seeds of milkweed to get the project started. That’s how important this project is to me,” Place 2 Council Member Danny Coffman said.

Roberts ended the proclamation with "I am honored to join other mayors by signing the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge."