NATIVE MONARCHS

NATIVE MILKWEED AND NECTAR PLANTS FOR MONARCH CONSERVATION

We are a 501(c)(3) tax‐exempt organization. All donations are tax‐deductible to the full extent of the law. Native Monarchs federal tax ID: 87-2931096.

Visit Our Official Website: https://nativemonarchs.org/

Home – Native Monarchs

About Us

Chris Amendt, SCT(ASCP)

CEO, Efficient Lab Innovations – Camarillo, CA

Native Monarchs, Director and Project Manager

Native Monarchs is a business coalition formed to increase the supply of California Native Asclepias (aka Milkweed) varieties and California native nectar plants for large-scale Monarch conservation programs and restoration projects. 

Native Monarchs was formed by Chris Amendt, a licensed medical laboratory professional with training as a Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT), and board-certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).  She worked for 20 years in the medical testing laboratory diagnosing cancer cells using a microscope, and discovered a knack for invention when she was awarded a U.S. utility patent for a cell-collecting medical device.  She transitioned as a Medical Laboratory Project Manager and received a Platinum Project Management Certification from a national medical lab testing company in 2017. She currently holds several approved patents, with several more patent-pending.  In 2018 she created a new company, Efficient Lab Innovations, specifically to offer laboratories improved tools to assist front-line employees in increasing efficiency and capacity while maintaining or improving quality.

With a lifelong interest in biology, nature and ecology, her interest in Monarch Butterfly conservation began over 20 years ago when she first started growing Asclepias (Milkweed) plants in her backyard. She soon became fascinated by the Monarchs and the Milkweed host plant.  For years she has been installing butterfly gardens in landscaping jobs while working as a Project Manager for her husband’s construction company.

In 2019, she coordinated the new development of a Monarch Conservation Habitat at Sterling Hills Golf Course in Camarillo, Ca.  Through a grant program formed by Audubon International and the Environmental Defense Fund, Monarchs in the Rough partners with golf courses to restore pollinator habitat in out-of-play areas. 

More information:  https://nativemonarchs.org/

Chris has also participated in the OE parasite monitoring program for Project Monarch Health (Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia), and various other projects sponsored by Monarch Joint Venture, Xerces Society, and Monarch Watch.

Native Monarchs members include local Ventura County growers and subject matter experts and offer an impressive background with decades of expertise in growing native milkweed and nectar plants. 

Dwight Fujii is the president and grower of Fujii Growers (Dba FMK Products) in Camarillo, Ca.  Dwight has a PhD in plant physiology and founded the company in 1982 on the concept of growing exotic herbs, vegetables and micro-greens for restaurants and markets that previously were unavailable in the United States. Through their distributors their year-round products can be found throughout the State of California, the United States and occasionally around the world. As part of their company philosophy, they will research and grow plants especially those not readily available locally.

Native Monarchs’ services and goals include:

  • Contract growing and increased access of native Monarch-friendly milkweed and nectar plants for environmental restoration and mitigation projects
  • New habitat developments with participating golf courses, corporations, and privately-owned land parcels
  • Transplant production and stand establishment
  • Local seed collection subcontractors
  • Research and development in native wildflower plugs and flats for mass plantings
  • Educational opportunities to involve local communities, schools and businesses
  • Participation in Monarch Conservation, Maintenance and Enhancement

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting local growers everywhere, some have increased their efforts to find alternative products to grow or shut down indefinitely. Addition of native milkweed and nectar plants to their production may offer a lifeline to struggling growers, and offer an improved supply of hard-to-find host plants for the struggling Monarchs.

I look forward to answering any questions you may have, and working with you in the future.  Timing is of great importance to help Monarch conservation now, and orders should be received as soon as possible to begin planting for your projects.

Kind Regards,

Chris Amendt, SCT(ASCP)

Founder & CEO

Efficient Lab Innovations

Native Monarchs NPO / Monarch Botanika LLC

Email: Chris@efficientlabinnovations.com

Cell: (805) 404-0898