waystation near highway?

[mw581]

Someone in a neighboring town is interested in creating a MW on town property (with the town's blessings!), but now they're concerned that because the proposed location is 20-25 feet from a busy street (probably about 45 mph type) that it might be a danger to either the monarchs or to drivers trying to avoid hitting them.

Is this distance to a busy street a concern? If so, how far from such a route should they locate a MW?

Thanks!
Janet

[Mona Miller]

Tell the Monarchs that who use the highways all over the US and Canada. And, VDOT plants wildflowers all over the medians in the US. They say it keeps drivers awake.

[Paul Cherubini]

Is this distance to a busy street a concern? If so, how far from such a route should they locate a MW? Thanks! Janet

It's normal and routine to see monarchs breeding sucessfully along the edges
of roads like this http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k75/4af/marklee.jpg
Milkweed thrives on disturbed soil so when soil is moved by earth moving equipment to create roads, it inadvertently creates a place when milkweed will grow. It's also routine to see monarchs breeding successfully on interstate highway median strips.

[Mona Miller]

A few weeks ago, I was participating in a plant rescue in an area that was surrounded by major highways (495 Northern VA Beltway). This area was due to be bulldozed by the next day. It was filled with common milkweed, goldenrod, and aster. I told the rescurers and VDOT safety representatives that this was prime Monarch habitat.

[SammyG]

A few weeks ago, I was participating in a plant rescue in an area that was surrounded by major highways (495 Northern VA Beltway). This area was due to be bulldozed by the next day. It was filled with common milkweed, goldenrod, and aster. I told the rescurers and VDOT safety representatives that this was prime Monarch habitat.

What did the VDOT folks say?

Also wondering how you found out about the plant rescue? I always want to do stuff like that. I would also love to do the opposite (well, sort of the opposite) and find ways to put milkweed in more public places, too! More public pollinator gardens, etc.... maybe a project for me next year

[Mona Miller]

I spent most of my time identifying plants and tagging them while other people dig. A friend of mine told me about the rescue. Many are organized through Native Plant Societies.

We got plants of common and honeyvine. Some of the milkweed went to a school in DC.

For public gardens I recommend butterfly weed (A. tuberosa) and Marsh Milkweed (A. incarnata). These are much more well behaved and make great nectar sources, too.