Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Monarch Habitat

Providing Food Sources For Declining Butterfly Populations

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 1, 2026

1. Monarch Habitat Marker

Inscription. Each fall, hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to overwintering areas in California and Mexico where they wait out the winter until conditions favor a return flight in the spring. The monarch migration is truly one of the world's greatest natural wonders, yet it is threatened by habitat loss in North America. Milkweeds and nectar sources for Monarchs are declining due to increased development and urbanization activities throughout the country. In the last 20 years, the population of monarch butterflies in the Western U.S. has declined by 75 percent.

Erected by Village of Downers Grove.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment.

Location. 41° 47.251′ N, 87° 59.966′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on 55th Street (County Route 35) south of Blodgett Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is in Patriots Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 55th Place, Downers Grove IL 60515, United States of America.

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Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barth Pond (within shouting distance of this marker); Whittier School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Heritage Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away); Welcome to the Downers Grove Park District Museum Campus (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charles Blodgett (approx. half a mile away); Israel and Avis Blodgett (approx. half a mile away); The Israel Blodgett House (approx. half a mile away); Underground Railroad (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.

More about this marker. An identical sign can be found about 2 miles west-northwest of here near the Belmont Avenue Metra stop.

Also see . . . Monarchs, Migration and Milkweed. A video from the Village

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 1, 2026

2. Monarch Habitat Marker

of Downers Grove looks at the natural areas that have been created in recent years to help butterflies. (Submitted on July 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 1, 2026

3. Monarch Habitat Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.