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Planning for the Future

Over the years, the Chicago Zoological Society has received
CONSERVATION Got Milkweed? many estate gifts that were complete surprises. Although we
Native milkweed is the root of monarch butterflies’ appreciate the generosity of these donors, we wish that we had
existence. Female monarchs lay their eggs only on these plants, which the opportunity to express our gratitude during their lifetimes.
are also the sole food source for monarch caterpillars. Without it, the Notifying your loved ones and beneficiaries of your intentions is
species can’t reproduce and survive. just as important as officially documenting your estate plans.
To most people, however, native milkweed is unsightly and needs to Sharing your plans with the Society offers numerous mutual
be eliminated. Throughout the entire country, milkweed species have benefits. When you advise us that you have included the
been sprayed with herbicides and mowed into a steady decline—taking Society in your estate plans, you become a member of the Edith
monarchs with them. Rockefeller McCormick Society, joining many others who, like you,
Andre Copeland, the Chicago Zoological Society’s manager respect and value our efforts in animal welfare, education, and
of interpretive programs, has joined a statewide effort to restore conservation leadership.
native milkweed and therefore monarch populations in Illinois. The Not only does this give us the opportunity to recognize you for your
Department of Natural Resources is spearheading this effort for the state, kindness and foresight, it also enables us to invite you to special events,
which sits right in the middle of a huge swath—reaching from western workshops, and activities at Brookfield Zoo. Additionally, we can work
South Dakota into eastern Pennsylvania—that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife with you to target your gift to a particular area of interest, allowing
Service (FWS) has given the highest priority for conservation of monarch us to better plan for the future of the Chicago Zoological Society and
butterflies. That makes Illinois a key site for focused conservation efforts. Brookfield Zoo.
Why are monarch butterflies important? Among the many reasons is Whether you’ve already included the Society in your estate
that they are pollinators, responsible for ensuring that goldenrod, asters, plans or are just considering it, please contact us to discuss
and other plant species grow. Research shows that pollinators account how we can help you create a lasting legacy as a member of
for 35% of food production worldwide and contribute over $24 billion to the Edith Rockefeller McCormick Society. For more information,
the economy of the United States. visit CZS.org/PlannedGiving or call (708) 688-8392.
While FWS has set a goal of 1.6 billion milkweed stems planted
The Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo cannot render
throughout the country over the next 20 years, the new initiative, called
tax or legal advice, and the information provided above is
the Illinois Monarch Project, is relying on the help of staff from agencies not intended as such. Please seek the advice of estate and
statewide to plant 180 million to 190 million milkweed stems in just tax professionals in developing your estate plans.
Illinois in that same time period. Among those
many agencies are the University of Illinois at
Chicago, the Illinois Farm Bureau, and the Illinois
Department of Transportation. The latter two are
involved because targeted planting zones include
agricultural areas and rights of way.
Copeland was chosen to be part of the team
after program leaders found out about his efforts
to create a wildlife corridor for pollinators from
Brookfield to St. Louis. His task is to gather input
from educators across the state to determine the
best way to help teach citizens about monarch
butterfly conservation and how they can be part
of efforts to recolonize vital native milkweed
populations.
There is much work to be done, and you can be Manager of interpretive programs Andre Copeland,
part of the effort. Plant native milkweed in your shown holding a monarch buttery in the BUTTERFLIES!
exhibit at Brookeld Zoo, is part of a statewide
yard and be sure to use pesticide- and herbicide- eort to bring back dwindling populations of
free gardening techniques. these animals and the milkweed (left) they need
to survive.

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