Monarch butterflies released in Sandusky

SANDUSKY — Sandusky city commissioner Dave Waddington treated monarch butterflies like royalty Monday afternoon.After collecting them from various area teachers, Waddington released about a dozen such species at the Cholera Cemetery on Harrison Street.At the cemetery, there's a special garden, filled with blooming, vibrant flowers, milkweed and nectar plants, where butterflies can pollinate them, thus providing proper fertilization and nutrition."This is part of the whole food chain," said Waddington, who, during his many stints on commission, has valued the environment through various programs he's spearheaded.In 2016, for instance, he led the effort in making Sandusky an official Monarch City. For many reasons, the monarch butterfly population has plummeted, dropping from about 682 million such species in 1997 to 25 million in 2014. Monarchs are critical to nature because they pollinate plants, helping grow many foods — including apples, strawberries, cantaloupe and peppers — humans and animals rely upon.Local stakeholders continue to pursue many initiatives in hopes of boosting the area's monarch population."We need to do our part in making this a more welcoming city for everyone and everything," Waddington said.Reach the Register at news@sanduskyregister.com. Follow us on Twitter @SanduskyRegistr and at Facebook.com/sanduskyregisterSandusky city commissioner Dave Waddington releases butterflies he collected from area school teachers Monday afternoon at the Cholera Cemetery on Harrison Street. At the cemetery, a garden exists where butterflies help pollinate plants and flowers for insects.Sandusky city commissioner Dave Waddington releases butterflies he collected from area school teachers Monday afternoon at the Cholera Cemetery on Harrison Street. At the cemetery, a garden exists where butterflies help pollinate plants and flowers for insects.Sandusky city commissioner Dave Waddington releases butterflies he collected from area school teachers Monday afternoon at the Cholera Cemetery on Harrison Street. At the cemetery, a garden exists where butterflies help pollinate plants and flowers for insects.Sandusky city commissioner Dave Waddington releases butterflies he collected from area school teachers Monday afternoon at the Cholera Cemetery on Harrison Street. At the cemetery, a garden exists where butterflies help pollinate plants and flowers for insects.