Archive: Around Town

Numerous studies over the past decade have shown that the Monarch Butterfly population has been in a steep decline.  Factors include: weather, pollution, and pesticides, but the largest factor is a declining lack of food habitat. This spring Cayuga Radio Group developed the "Code Name Monarch" program to help rebuild the butterfly's food habitat.

"Our 'Code Name Monarch' program was a great success.  We estimate that we distributed over 1,000 seeds packets to some of our best local retail partners.  Dr. Mayo in Cortland, P&C Fresh, Sam Peter Furniture, Hickey's Music, and Dryden Agway."  Said CRG Marketing Director Connie Fairfax-Ozmun.  "These businesses really supported the idea and helped facilitate real change by giving these seeds to customers for free, in exchange for the request that they plant them."

"These people, our listeners in the community, are the real heroes.  They planted tens of thousands of local butterfly milkweed seeds," said Cayuga Radio VP/GM Chet Osadchey,  "these seeds will grow and provide a much needed food source for the Monarch.  This was a program about mass action that will result in a positive impact."

Q Country Morning host Chris Allinger added: "It's an oft overused cliché- but the idea that 'together we can make a difference' truly applies." The seed packets are still available at the participating retailers for a short time:  Dr. Mayo in Cortland, P&C Fresh, Sam Peter Furniture, Hickey's Music, and Dryden Agway.

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