One of Monroe County's largest wetland systems may soon be a buffet for butterflies.
On Monday, volunteers from the Seneca Park Zoo have planted nearly a thousand butterfly-friendly plants at Thousand Acre Swamp in Penfield.
Jim Howe, executive director of the Nature Conservancy in Western and Central New York says they're hoping this will offset the growth of swallow-wort - an invasive plant that is toxic to caterpillars.
"If we could go back to Europe or Asia and find a beetle or some insect that eats swallow-wort and nothing else, if we could figure out how to deploy that in the U.S, we can probably get a handle on this. But until then, we're dealing with swallow-wort with mechanical control and mowing fields. It is a real challenge."
The Seneca Park Zoo's "Butterfly Beltway Program" has planted almost 150 local butterfly gardens.
The population of migratory monarch butterflies has decreased by an estimated 90 percent in the last 20 years. The main culprits are pesticides and herbicides that can be used to eradicate milkweed, which monarchs rely on for food.
Pamela Reed Sanchez, Executive Director of the Seneca Park Zoo Society, said they try to educate the public about this.
"Everyone from the very young to the very old loves butterflies. And when you talk to seniors, you'll hear stories from them about 'You know, I remember how many more butterflies were there when I was a kid. You used to see butterflies all the time, and now I see them rarely.' So we're trying to capture that history, as well."