Conservancy and Zoo to add pollinator habitat in Overton Park
We’re excited to share that the Memphis Zoo and Overton Park Conservancy have been awarded a grant from the American Zoological Association’s Conservation Grants Fund. Our proposal to create a monarch butterfly habitat in Overton Park was one of just eight projects funded out of 20 submissions. This project is part of the AZA’s Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program, and our goal is to provide the resources these butterflies need to thrive on their migration journey.
For this initiative, we’ve chosen two areas within Overton Park to transform into vibrant, life-sustaining habitats for monarchs. One site is near Veterans Plaza, next to the Zoo, where the Conservancy started a pilot garden this summer. The results were amazing—over 250 insect species visited the garden, including several monarch caterpillars feeding on native milkweed plants. The second area is a larger plot in the park’s southeast corner, where land previously used for city maintenance is being converted into public green space.
Melissa McMasters, Overton Park Conservancy’s Director of Communications, shared her excitement: “It’s an honor to partner with the Memphis Zoo to create a safe landing space for monarchs on their migration journey. By planting both native milkweed, which monarch caterpillars eat , and the flowering plants adult butterflies use for nectar, we’re offering a lifeline to these charismatic creatures.”
Monarch butterflies depend solely on milkweed plants to lay their eggs, but these vital plants are disappearing across the butterfly’s migratory range. To support monarchs, we’re planting three native milkweed species and various nectar plants across 6,300 square feet. This effort is not just about restoring habitat for monarchs—it’s also about connecting our visitors with the wonders of pollinators and the importance of conservation.
Gail Karr of Memphis Zoo expressed her enthusiasm for the project: “I am delighted that we can be a part of an active host and nectar habitat for the monarch butterfly. This is the perfect addition to our seasonal native butterfly exhibit. We can further our conservation message and will have a hands-on educational tool. We are pleased to partner with Overton Park Conservancy and look forward to this being the first of many collaborations.”
We will enhance the educational signage and raised beds at Veterans Plaza so visitors can learn about monarchs and other pollinators as they pass by. With the Zoo and Conservancy’s combined community outreach and educational programming, we hope this project will inspire people of all ages to get involved in protecting pollinators. Dr. Steve Reichling, Director of Conservation & Research at the Zoo, said it best: “Overton Park is one of those magical places that just is Memphis, so to be able to partner in such a natural way with the Overton Park Conservancy to add one more little jewel to the treasure box is very fulfilling to me personally.”
