11/07/2025
Over the past years, Micke Grove Zoo (MGZ) has played an integral role in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) organized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) - for example the zoo's golden lion tamarin SSP partnership increased their regional captive population by 10%. The zoos breeding track record has also been immensely successful with other threatened exotic wildlife such as the northern bald ibises, marbled teal ducks, southern pudu, and western pond turtles.
MGZ is seeking to expand its conservation goals to include an in-situ conservation program that will conserve threatened monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus ssp. plexippus and valley oak trees, Quercus lobata which are locally threatened.
The Monarch Waystation Project was launched in the fall of 2023 by breaking ground for the pollinator garden. An area near the Zoo entrance was selected. At least three types of native milkweed species and 10 types of drought resistant California native wildflower species that provide feeding and breeding habitats for monarchs. The area was measured and mapped, and a drift map and planting list were created.
Volunteers were involved in the project ex*****on and were instrumental in measuring and mapping the area, preparing the area for planting, gridding the area according to drift map plant locations, and preparing pits for plants. Some of the most experienced volunteers were trained to plant milkweed and California native wildflowers.
*Some of these wildflowers that are considered natives were introduced to California from neighboring states over the last few generations.
