City Desk
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By Mark Moran - Producer-Editor, Contact - News
Big Sky Connection - Federal officials are set to decide as soon as next week whether the iconic monarch butterfly will be listed as threatened or even endangered. Their numbers have dropped dramatically, especially in the West, which is one of two routes the butterflies take on their annual fall migration to Mexico. Comments from Mary Phillips, head of the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife and Certified Wildlife Habitat programs.
Click on the image above for your audio. After a slight increase in 2022, the number of 2023-2024 western monarchs "overwintering" in the West declined. (Adobe Stock)
Mark Moran
November 25, 2024 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will decide by early December whether to list the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act.
Wildlife experts say the iconic monarch has cultural as well as ecological value, and they're encouraging people to get involved in helping the butterflies during their migration.
There are two routes the monarchs take in the fall, from Canada to Mexico - one over the central U.S, and the other over western states, including Montana.
Mary Phillips, the head of the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife and Certified Wildlife Habitat programs, said the numbers are down for both groups - but are especially alarming in the West.
"Right now, the count is down to 233,000 butterflies across more than 200 sites in the western area," said Phillips. "So, the urgency around this has really intensified."
The monarch butterfly population has declined by 90% over the past two decades.
Phillips said in addition to its cultural significance in Mexico, the monarch is also critically important to the world's ecosystems, and protecting its habitat is key to the butterfly's future.
Beyond their sheer beauty and complex migration abilities, Phillips said the iconic monarchs could presage the future for other critical pollinators, so keeping them off the endangered list is critical.
"They're kind of the canary in the coal mine, if you will," said Phillips, "and they've really flagged the significant effort of habitat loss, climate change, and overall ecological ramifications."
Phillips said backyard gardeners can help the butterfly by planting milkweed in yards and gardens, as well as asters and goldenrod species, that provide nectar stopovers for the monarchs on their long migration to Mexico.
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MAINSTREET UPTOWN BUTTE ANNOUNCES WINNING ENTRIES IN THE 2024 CHRISTMAS STROLL BUTTON DESIGN CONTEST
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November 24, 2024 - After reviewing hundreds of entries from children from Butte schools, Mainstreet Uptown Butte judges have selected this year's Stroll button design contest winners.
On December 6th, the winners will be honored during the tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 pm at the BSB Courthouse at 155 W. Granite Street and then will be invited to help lead the Christmas Stroll Children's Light Parade at 6:45 pm.
Many thanks to the sponsors of the Stroll Button Design Contest and prizes -- Northwestern Energy, Ziply Fiber, and the members of Mainstreet Uptown Butte.
2024 Winners -- The First Place Adult Button Design selected for its creativity and consistency to our theme is by Lucy Loushin, age 10, 4th grade student at Hillcrest Elementary
She will receive $300 in Uptown Bucks to spend at Uptown stores of her choice.
The First Place Child Button Design winner is Natallia Dekal, age 9, a 4th grade student at Margaret Leary School. She will also receive $300 in Uptown Bucks.
Two second place winners in each category were also chosen and they will receive $200 each in Uptown Bucks. Second place winners are Rosaleah BigBeaver, age 11, a 5th grade student at West Elementary and Ava Svejkovsky age 12, a 6th grade student at Margaret Leary School
Also, this year the judges selected 10 honorable mentions to the mix to recognize the quality of their artistic efforts. Each will receive $25 in Uptown Bucks to spend as they choose in Uptown Butte businesses. Congratulations to our Honorable Mention Winners – Kymber Flanagin, Ivory Terry, Caroline Lahey, Gabriella Thompson, Helen Fredrickson, Elsa Adline Butori, Jaelynn Williams, Sammy Mihailovich, Kameron Klapan, and Marley Calderon.
Mainstreet Uptown Butte is still accepting nominations for Grand Marshal for the Children’s Light Parade for just a few more days. If you know of some businessperson or group worthy of this distinction and recognition, please send your nominations that include why they deserve this honor, including how best to contact them to
adult 1st place, small, 2024 child 1st place, small 2024
child 2nd place, small, 2024 adult 2nd place, small, 2024
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PNS - Friday, November 22, 2024 - Trump suffers first defeat but as always doubles down for the next fight; From Ohio to Azerbaijan: How COP29 could shape local farming; Funding boosts 'green' projects in Meadville, PA; VA apprenticeships bridge skills gaps, offer career stability.
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PNS - Friday, November 22, 2024 - Trump has a new pick for Attorney General, his incoming "border czar" warns local Democratic officials not to impede mass deportation, and the House passes legislation that could target any nonprofit group accused of supporting terrorism.
