Brandywine Conservancy’s Penguin Court preserve in Westmoreland County is spearheading an initiative to certify 250 properties as Monarch Waystations this year!

Penguin Court is one of over two dozen groups that form the Westmoreland Pollinator Partners (WPP), a coalition of nonprofit organizations, schools, and community gardens that are dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving native pollinators and their habitats.

In 2023, when Westmoreland County celebrated its 250^th anniversary, WPP set a goal to see that 250 Monarch Waystations were certified in the county by the end of that year. That goal was met by August!  Interest in the program was high, even from landowners outside of the county and so, to honor America’s 250^th anniversary this year, WPP wants to certify 250 new properties in the Laurel Highlands as Monarch Waystations.

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Where is the Laurel Highlands? Most agree that the Laurel Highlands encompass Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties. There is some debate about whether Cambria County should be included, but the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, which oversees the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape considers Cambria County part of the Laurel Highlands, and so this project will, too.

Penguin Court and WPP will be promoting Monarch Waystation certification by educating the public about the importance of native plant species, especially milkweeds and nectar plants, as well as the need to implement best management practices like not using insecticides or herbicides on your property.

Penguin Court will receive Monarch Waystation applications from people within the Laurel Highlands, ensure certification requirements are met, and then assign a Monarch Waystation identification number to participants who will be able to pick up their certificate and metal garden sign at select locations throughout the region.

Upcoming Events Celebrating Monarchs

Additionally, a number of events celebrating monarch butterflies and their habitats are planned. On July 22, a Monarch Waystation Reunion will be held in Greensburg as a fun, casual, and educational gathering of new and established Waystation owners.  Then, in August, “Wings Over Westmoreland” will serve as an umbrella for Hummingbird Day, which will be held from 9 a.m. until Noon at Powdermill Nature Reserve in Rector, and Monarchs, Milkweed and More, which will be held from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier.  At the latter event, winners of the annual Pennsylvania Pollinator Photo Challenge will be revealed.

These activities are supported in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation administered through the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Laurel Highlands Mini Grant Program.  Brandywine Conservancy, Discover Westmoreland, and FirstEnergy are supplying matching funds, while WPP is providing in-kind contributions.

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Lead photo credit: Judy Ridgway