Please take note that the Park Offices, Nature and Bish Discovery Centers will be CLOSED Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day. Trails within all Darke County Parks will remain open dawn-dusk.

A recent study using data from several monitoring programs of multiple species from 1996-2016 found that butterflies have been declining in Ohio at a rate of 2% each year. That’s more than 1/3rd of our butterfly population in the last 21 years! This isn’t new news for many butterfly enthusiasts. We have known for some time now that species like the iconic monarch butterfly are in decline. The decline in Ohio’s butterfly species is a red flag for insects in general. Several factors contribute to this decline, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. While we may feel somewhat helpless when it comes to the climate crisis, there are some things we as individuals can do to help our insect populations here in Ohio.

                For starters, put down the insecticides and herbicides and embrace the dandelions. Our obsession with manicured, golf course like lawns has caused great distress for our native insect populations. Dandelions are an important early-season food source for many pollinators. Seeing fewer fireflies? Studies show that lawn chemicals are toxic to firefly larvae and the food that sustains them. Instead of thinking of your lawn and garden as something strictly ornamental, think of them as a small ecosystem. Many insect species depend on these fragmented, mini-ecosystems for survival.

                I also encourage you to consider setting aside a patch of your yard to create your very own pollinator habitat. Planting native species help support native pollinators. Native pollinators are actually twice as likely to be attracted to native blooms vs nonnatives. You may be surprised by the beauty that many of Ohio’s native plants can offer to your garden and around your home. Many milkweed species sport large spheres of beautiful and fragrant pinkish-purple blooms. Royal catchfly flaunts vibrant red flowers, while grey-headed coneflowers display their own sunshine-like yellow that is sure to make any passerby smile. Many butterflies rely on our native plants as host plants to feed upon during their larval stages and then later for nectar as adults. Make sure you plant a variety of natives that bloom from early spring through late fall to provide habitat for the entirety of both mating and migration seasons.

                Another simple thing you can do to aid Ohio’s insect population is leaving the leaves this fall. There are many insect species that rely on the cover of fallen leaves to survive the cold winter. Leaf litter is also beneficial to the soil in your lawn and provides nutrients for your grass and trees. Speaking of trees, are you considering planting a tree sometime soon? Choosing native trees instead of nonnative ornamental trees can provide valuable resources to many native insects. Many moth and butterflies use native trees as host plants.

                The current condition of our pollinators and other native insects may seem bleak, but there ARE conservation success stories out there. We have to use new information and statistics as a driving force for us to do more on a personal level. One of the most important things you can do is to educate others and encourage them to do their part as well.