Conservation

2 articles

A lush backyard garden filled with native plants, attracting butterflies and birds, demonstrating a healthy local ecosystem.

Naturalist gardens bloom as biodiversity efforts gain traction

Native oak trees alone cradle over 500 species of caterpillars, a vibrant nursery compared to the mere 5 species hosted by popular Asian ginkgo trees, according to Audubon .

Nora Haddad·September 2, 2026

Common milkweed seeds in a pot of soil with a monarch butterfly on a milkweed leaf in the background, representing the importance of seed germination for monarch conservation.

Gardens & Gatherings

Cold Stratify Common Milkweed Seeds for Successful Germination

Despite widespread desire to help monarch butterflies, many home gardeners unknowingly miss a crucial step: common milkweed seeds require a minimum of three weeks at 5°C to germinate properly.

Brandon Lee·June 23, 2026