Patti Louie
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The Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a prolific pollinator in the northwest. Milkweed is a favorite plant of this butterfly as it is the chosen plant for them to lay their eggs. However, the Monarch Butterfly population has been declining, for reasons that are in dispute. While some say it is the fault of the widespread use of the pesticide, Roundup, others say the decrease is due to the decline in the number of milkweed plants (for various reasons predating that pesticide), by over 70% in the last 20 years according to some estimates. One type of milkweed is the Showy Milkweed (Asclepius speciosa) plant which is common in the Willamette Valley region of Oregon. While vital for butterflies, milkweed can be toxic to dogs and other animals, so caution should be used when planting milkweed. It is my hope that art shows such as these can help increase attention and awareness towards finding solutions to maintain and improve the health of our ecosystem.
