The City of Sainte-Thérèse is encouraging residents to help protect monarch butterflies by planting milkweed in their own gardens and landscaped areas.
As part of its “Monarch-Friendly City” initiative, Sainte-Thérèse has planted milkweed in flower beds at various locations across the municipality. The goal is to support the monarch butterfly, an essential pollinator whose population is threatened.
Milkweed is crucial to the survival of monarchs. It is the plant on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs, and it is the only food source for monarch caterpillars. Without enough milkweed, monarchs cannot complete their life cycle, even if adult butterflies can find nectar from other flowers.
The city is therefore inviting residents to take part in the effort by adding milkweed to their own landscaping. Private gardens, front yards, backyards and naturalized spaces can all become small but useful habitats for monarchs and other pollinators.
The initiative also reflects the growing role of municipalities in environmental protection. Cities are increasingly involved in biodiversity, urban greening and climate adaptation, not only traditional services such as roads, waste collection and infrastructure.
For Sainte-Thérèse, planting milkweed is a concrete local action that connects municipal planning with citizen participation. By planting on public land, the city sets an example. By encouraging residents to do the same, it turns monarch protection into a shared community effort.
Pollinators such as monarch butterflies are important to healthy ecosystems. Their decline points to broader environmental challenges, including habitat loss and the reduction of natural spaces. Creating more pollinator-friendly areas can help strengthen local biodiversity.
Residents who wish to participate are encouraged to plant milkweed in appropriate areas of their properties, while making sure it does not interfere with sidewalks, visibility or neighbouring spaces.
Sainte-Thérèse’s campaign is more than a beautification effort. It is a small but meaningful environmental measure aimed at protecting a threatened species, supporting biodiversity and reminding residents that even modest actions at home can contribute to a healthier community.
