Butterflies for the Bays
It is officially August.
With August, comes the start of the Monarch butterfly season, and migration. The monarch butterfly migration goes through four generations, since one butterfly cannot travel all that way. They begin in Canada and the Northern United States, and finish this migration pattern in Mexico or California. This species is very crucial to earth's environment, as they are very sensitive to environmental changes. Their sensitivity to environmental changes allows scientists to see if there are arising issues for the environment that humans may not be able to see yet.
Monarch butterflies go through four life stages- egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and then, butterfly (adult). Caterpillars are very dependent on the plant milkweed, they feed on it before they enter the chrysalis stage. Milkweed is crucial for the butterfly life cycle, they cannot survive without it. Due to the decline in milkweed, as well as destruction of habitat, their species is classified as endangered.
In mid July, we received some caterpillar larva at our Tiana Bayside Facility. We set up an area in our coastal gardens, specifically in our milkweed garden bed. We put a protective netting over the garden bed, to protect the caterpillar larva. As well as our outdoor habitat, we had an indoor enclosure full of pollinating plants and milkweed for the caterpillars. Thanks to our community members, we had extra milkweed plants donated, to provide these caterpillars with extra food.
Throughout our summer at Tiana Bayside Facility, we have had our summer camps in session. Throughout our camps, we have had many opportunities to have our campers experience the Monarch butterfly life cycle hands on. Our campers were able to see the caterpillars eat, watch the chrysalis form, and see the butterflies emerge from their chrysalis. After the butterflies emerge, they spend one day drying their wings, and fueling up on nectar. When they are ready, we carefully set them free from their enclosures. Our campers had the opportunity to free the monarchs themselves with staff assistance, and watch them fly around and land from flower to flower.
Allowing someone to experience the beauty of nature hands on, leaves more of a lasting experience throughout one's life. I am very grateful that our campers were able to experience the circle of life of one of earth's very important species.