Potsdam monarch with library staff.jpg

Monarch caterpillars are on display at several locations in Potsdam during the month of July. Here, Jay Plastino, of Potsdam Public Library, lifts up the net to show two caterpillars in a cage awaiting their change to butterflies. NCNow photo.

POTSDAM — The community is invited to help monitor the Monarch caterpillars transform from caterpillars into butterflies in several locations in Potsdam.

Butterfly mesh cages containing Monarch caterpillars are now on display at Potsdam Public Library, North Country Children’s Museum, with Monarch Caterpillars Potsdam Agway, Potsdam Town Hall and St. Lawrence Nursery.

The public is invited to keep visiting these locations regularly in July to see the caterpillars grow, spin their chrysalis, emerge as a butterfly and be released.

“The Monarch butterfly is one of our most endangered pollinators, and the Climate Smart Communities Task Force is sponsoring this project to engage our community in better understanding the Monarch, its development, and habitat needs so that we can better encourage habitats for all of our pollinators,” said Mark Cornett, chairperson of the Pollinator Committee of the Task Force.

“Each location will have an interpretive sign that provides information about the Monarch’s life cycle, as well as their incredible migration. We, at the northern destination, need to provide habitats to sustain them,” said Cornett.

To follow, share your observations, and track the Momarchs, you can friend the Village and Town of Potsdam Climate Smart Communities Task Force page at Climate Smart Communities - Potsdam.

The Village and Town of Potsdam Climate Smart Communities Task Force is an appointed group of volunteers who work to advise the Village and Town on initiatives and actions to improve our communities’ sustainability.

Currently, the Task Force is assisting both the Town and Village in their Clean Energy Community campaigns, planning initiatives, and the Compost for Good campaign.

Check it out at the Potsdam Farmers’ Market and at the Summerfest ‘Energy Zone’ for more information.