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For nearly 70 years, Patrick Bell's family farmed land in Johnston County, Oklahoma, primarily raising cattle. Over time, the fields became dominated by introduced grasses and other vegetation, while Bell began noticing fewer monarch butterflies during their autumn migration. He also observed a decline in other butterflies and pollinators. Rather than accept the changes, he decided to restore part of his family's property as wildlife habitat. With help from conservation agencies and local organisations, Bell spent seven years experimenting with planting methods and land-management techniques. The effort resulted in 130 acres being managed for pollinator conservation, with native grasses and flowering plants providing habitat for butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
