The Monarch Sister Schools Program

The Monarch Sister Schools Program (MSSP) was founded by Rotarian, William Dent (RC Washington DC).  William, Dr. Chris Puttock (RC College Park) and Mary Anne Rishebarger (RC Baltimore Sunset) have planted over 40 gardens since the program began in 2008.  This year under the leadership of Mary Anne, MSSP goal is to plant over 30 gardens, expanding beyond Maryland and DC, along the Monarchs migration path North through Pennsylvania, to Massachusetts and South through South Carolina to Texas.  Through the magic of Zoom and in-person Rotary meetings, Mary Anne has been presenting the MSSP story.  Monarchs have declined over 90% due to habitat loss and the use of herbicides and pesticides.  In order to preserve the pollinators habitat, restoration with native milkweed for monarch caterpillars and native nectar plants for monarch butterflies and other pollinators is urgently needed.