Remember when monarch butterflies were a common sight in Iowa on summer days? Not so, anymore.

The decline of these big orange-and-black butterflies is due, in part, to the loss of their habitat and essential food source, the milkweed plant. The University of Iowa College of Public Health hopes RAGBRAI cyclists can help change that.

For the third consecutive year, cyclists will have an opportunity to toss milkweed seed balls into roadside ditches and fields along the RAGBRAI route to help save the monarch butterfly. In June, volunteers joined members of the UI College of Public Health to make 2,000 milkweed seed balls, which consist of milkweed seeds inside of soil, clay, and compost.

Milkweed is the only plant on which Monarch butterflies will lay their eggs. 

"The College of Public Health supports organizations like Monarchs of Eastern Iowa that are trying to save this iconic Iowa species," says David Osterberg, clinical professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health. "Volunteers from our college and a local girl scout troop made milkweed balls at our building on three days last month to help expand monarch habitat. This small act can have major environmental benefits and also give us all hope that action can align with science and accomplish much."