Tarisa Parrish

Tarisa Parrish is a butterfly farmer whose quest to save the monarch butterflies from extinction has resulted in a nationwide educational campaign. Her ecology expertise, along with the children’s illustrated book The Adventures of Johnny Butterflyseed, explains how families can do their part by planting more milkweed and raising monarch butterflies. Tarisa and her partner, Michael Vera, live in central Florida and are the owners of the online educational store, Johnny Butterflyseed (johnnybutterflyseed.com). The site engages new butterfly farmers, teaching them about the butterfly lifecycles, growing butterfly gardens, and how to get involved with nonprofit organizations focused on saving butterflies. Tarisa prides herself on being a citizen scientist with a lifetime passion for nature, as well as a powerful advocate for its preservation and the saving of endangered species. Tarisa’s mission to save the monarchs has been featured on numerous television, radio, and podcast interviews all over the country and her acclaimed book has delighted children, parents, and teachers with its ecologically-noble mission.