The Nashwaak Watershed

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Monarch Butterflies: Take a closer look

July 15, 2021

Upcoming Event!

Join us on July 26th to conduct some citizen science of the monarch life cycle along the Nashwaak River in Fredericton. We will count stems of milkweed and examine them for eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises and adult butterflies. This will be part of the Mission Monarch International Monarch Monitoring Blitz.

Did you know milkweed is the only plant that provides food for the caterpillar of the monarch butterfly?

Keep reading to learn more about monarchs and what you can do to support their habitat!

A patch of common milkweed.

Monarch butterflies are an iconic species at risk in Canada. Each fall, these beautiful butterflies set out on a 4,000-to-5,000 kilometer journey from Southern Canada to their wintering sites in the mountain forests of central Mexico. This is one of the longest insect migrations in the world! Each spring they make their way through the United States and back to Canada. To learn more about this endangered species, check out the WWF page on monarchs.

Milkweed is the only plant that provides food for the caterpillar of the monarch butterfly. Monarch’s lay their eggs on milkweed, and once they have hatched, the juvenile caterpillars feed on milkweed leaves. The caterpillars grow dramatically over 2 weeks, and then forms a chrysalis. After another 2 weeks, the adult butterfly emerges.

Unfortunately, this beautiful and resilient species is threatened by habitat loss. Disruptions to their migration are caused by climate change, and by the loss of native plants (including milkweed species) along their migratory corridors. Deforestation of their overwintering sites also threatens this species. Read more about monarchs and their journey to New Brunswick.

Planting either swamp or common milkweed, the two native species in New Brunswick, helps to provide this butterfly with much-needed habitat. Swamp milkweed is often preferable in a garden setting because it does not spread throughout the site. It requires moist soil to become established, so watering it throughout the first few years is recommended.

How to identify Swamp vs Common Milkweed.

Learn more about how New Brunswick is conserving monarch butterflies, check out this informative video by Nature NB, click here!

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Recent News

We’re hiring!

February 1, 2023

To protect or retreat: Scores of homes at risk of erosion

January 30, 2023

Province Provides Only Partial Protection To River

July 20, 2022

Thinking about reducing your impact? Here’s some inspiration!

July 18, 2022

NWAI on Twitter

@ASDWLimelight @ASDWLimelight @MusicAsdw Check it out

- 49 days ago

Mr. Woodcock's talented gr 12 FHS music class joined us at Marysville Flats this week! We talked climate change and floodplain restoration. We're excited to hear what they create from their Nashwaak River trip. Kudos to the NB Dept of Ed for supporting this awesome experience! https://t.co/6nGyCy7XBP

- 50 days ago

Thanks for supporting this outdoor learning opportunity. Come visit anytime. It was a pleasure to spend time talking about water, climate change and floodplain restoration. @ASD_West @ASDWLimelight @FHSkats @CityFredGov @CityFredRec #eaunbwater #mynashwaak https://t.co/ALhfzSS123

- 52 days ago

Thanks @mla_mike for leading crown land conservation! https://t.co/ObSdrLvBcq

- 54 days ago

@Andrew__Holland @mla_mike @Gov_NB @NCC_CNC Excellent work!

- 54 days ago

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Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

10 hours ago

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
It’s almost time for river ice monitoring! Each year, we conduct river ice surveys along the Nashwaak River throughout the winter and spring as a part of GNB’s River Watch Program. The information collected in these ground-based surveys helps the province keep track of the state of our rivers and streams, and can actually be used to forecast potential floods. During the surveys, we record ice types and concentrations, snow and ice thickness, surface and shore conditions, and many other parameters. This information is especially important to collect during ice jams, as they can increase water levels upstream and result in flooding. Keep an eye out for us along the Nashwaak and check back for more ice monitoring updates over the coming months. #MyNashwaak #eauNBwater ... See MoreSee Less

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Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

1 day ago

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
A big thank you to everyone who who whooo joined us and @atlanticducks for the first of our three Owls, Stars and Snowshoes events. It was beautiful evening to be in the winter forest with you folks ❄️🌲🦉#nighthike #owlcalling #community #hotchocolate #nashwaakwatershed ... See MoreSee Less

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Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.

5 days ago

Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
Though still SOLD OUT, we wanted to make sure everyone knew that our event has been moved to Sunday the 5th due to the extremely cold forecast tomorrow. Same time, same place, same adventure. If you have tickets and this is news to you, please check your junk mail for any missed Eventbrite updates. Cheers ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact Us

Mail:
Nashwaak Watershed Association Inc.
P.O. Box 314, Station “A”
Fredericton, NB
E3B 4Y2

Office:
181 Westmorland Street
Fredericton, NB
E3B 3L6
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Phone: 506 447-9699
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