Susquehanna University has been awarded a grant from the Entomological Society of America to create a monarch butterfly waystation and pollinator garden, giving Susquehanna the opportunity to expand its terrestrial insect research, place-based learning initiatives and native habitat creation.
Susquehanna’s recently secured funding will be used to purchase mature plants, the materials needed to grow plants from locally collected native seeds and environmental educational materials, said Michaela Rolecki, a 2025 Susquehanna graduate and AmeriCorps live stake coordinator for the Chesapeake Conservancy. Plants selected for the pollinator garden include milkweed, sunflower, goldenrod, honeysuckle, bluebell, mint and much more.
“By providing nectar- and pollen-rich flowering plants, we will attract an abundance of species that will increase the biodiversity on campus,” Rolecki said. “As the garden matures, we hope to use it to aid in migration and population research for monarchs, collaborating with other institutions in monarch monitoring projects.”
Monarch butterflies undertake two migrations, the largest being the eastern population that overwinters in Mexico. In the mid-1990s, an estimated 380 million eastern monarchs made the journey — one of the longest insect migrations in the world. Today, that population has declined by about 80%, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Monarchs face multiple threats, including habitat loss, insecticide exposure and climate change. While many are working to conserve the species, more habitats and protections are needed to ensure their survival. Monarch waystations — gardens that provide food and shelter — help support their migration and recovery.
Planting for Susquehanna’s pollinator garden is tentatively set to begin in the winter, said CEER Field Station Director Matt Wilson. The garden will be adjacent to the newly dedicated Mary Ann Klussman Outdoor Classroom. That space will be used for curricular and co-curricular activities, including structured programming for K-12 students participating in environmental education opportunities at the CEER.
“Environmental education is important to increase awareness of environmental issues, foster a sense of accountability and promote sustainable practices when interacting with natural land and habitats,” Rolecki said. “Adding a pollinator garden beside the outdoor classroom will enhance opportunities to learn about these important creatures and habitats while providing a refuge for at-risk species.”
