As a Girl Scout committed to environmental action, I created a Monarch Waystation at my school garden to help address the decline in monarch butterfly populations. Monarchs rely on native milkweed for reproduction and survival, but habitat loss caused by climate change and human development has made these plants increasingly scarce.
Inspired by visits to monarch sanctuaries growing up—sometimes over an hour away—I wanted to bring that same sense of comfort and purpose closer to home. To support monarchs locally, I planted over 30 native milkweed saplings and built and designed an educational signboard for the garden that explains the importance of monarch conservation.
Beyond the physical restoration, I developed a curriculum specifically tied to the garden and monarchs, now incorporated into my school’s environmental science classes. As vice president of my school’s Eco Society, I help lead weekly meetings focused on maintaining the space and encouraging student involvement.
Through habitat restoration, education and student leadership, this project aims to build long-term awareness and create a meaningful impact for monarch conservation.
Shivani Venkat
Milpitas High School
