Scientists predict that without major help the monarch butterflies that overwinter in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties will be extinct within 20 years. That’s why environmentalists and butterfly fans are applauding Gov Jerry Brown, who yesterday signed the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Rescue Program into law.
The program hopes to kick-start habitat restoration necessary to save monarchs, bees, and other pollinators with $3-million-dollars in state assistance backed up by even more donated dollars. The money will be handed out as grants to farmers and others, some for planting milkweed, the only food monarch caterpillars can eat. State officials say grant applications and guidelines should be available early next year.
