Celebrate National Learn About Butterflies Day on March 14!
–News from North American Butterfly Association
It’s one of our favorite days of the year! After all, saving butterflies is NABA’s mission, and engaging our community and educating the public about the importance of butterflies is a big part of accomplishing that mission.
In keeping with the spirit of this special day, celebrate by learning more about butterflies!
Learn fun facts about butterflies such as the difference between butterflies and moths, butterfly lifespan, and what butterflies eat: https://www.naba.org/qanda.html
Learn about the various butterfly families: https://www.naba.org/images/index.html
Learn about NABA’s National Butterfly Center and plan a visit: https://www.nationalbutterflycenter.org/
Learn about butterflies in your region with these ‘local links: https://www.naba.org/links.html
Learn about creating a Butterfly Garden and get started on yours just in time for spring: http://nababutterfly.com/basics-of-butterfly-gardening/
Learn why ‘releasing’ butterflies is not good for butterflies: https://naba.org/releases.html
As warmer weather approaches and we spend more time outdoors, let’s appreciate these graceful, winged creatures and give thought to imperiled and endangered species and how we can work to save them.
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Chelsea Gastelum Cares for Nature, Butterflies
By David Robinson, 2/8/22
Chelsea Gastelum’s family and friends aren’t surprised that she is so committed to caring for butterflies. “My mom taught us to respect and be fascinated by nature,” she said. “That included a love of butterflies.”
Chelsea created her first butterfly habitat about 16 years ago and currently has a 50-foot-long garden at her San Diego area home. The National Wildlife Federation has certified it as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat. In addition, Monarch Watch designated the garden as an official Monarch Waystation. Last spring, she was able to use her expertise at another site.
“A neighbor mentioned that a weed-cluttered area adjacent to an elementary school nearby our houses might be a good place for a butterfly garden,” she said. “The children walk to school along a path that takes them right next to the garden, so they would be able to enjoy it.”
Chelsea eagerly began planning and developing the garden. “I had to remove the weeds and then found a contractor willing to donate a truckload of mulch,” she said. “After covering the ground with a tarp, I began spreading the mulch, assisted by my brother and another neighbor.”
She added plants that are popular with butterflies and other pollinators. That includes salvia, buckwheat, cosmos, lantana, sunflowers, and several varieties of milkweed (silky gold, narrow leaf, “hairy balls”). Because there is no nearby water source, Chelsea hauls a wagon load of water containers to the garden. Her neighbor who suggested the butterfly garden has also helped out. “On a recent weekend, we both spent an hour weeding, and she has helped plant flowers as well,” Chelsea said.
Now that COVID restrictions have eased so that school is back in session, Chelsea thinks that teachers’ lesson plans might include a visit to the garden. Meanwhile, students and neighbors enjoy watching the garden continue to develop. Other regular visitors include coyotes, raccoons, and skunks.
Chelsea recently added a special feature to the garden: a Little Free Library (https://littlefreelibrary.org) stand. Her husband built a wooden “house,” and she stocked it with donated children’s books and bookmarks. “The kids can take a book, and they or their parents also leave books for others to borrow.”
She provides updates about the gardens and related topics on The Pajama Gardener Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/The-Pajama-Gardener-138610389517243).
We know that Chelsea will continue looking for ways to be fascinated by nature and inspire others to create butterfly gardens.
(See what others are doing to support butterfly conservation actions in the Your Stories page of this website.)
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Support the Greenbelt Monarch Habitat Event
If you’re in the Riverside area on October 23, you might consider volunteering for the Monarch Habitat Project. See details below.
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Join the Monarch Monitoring Blitz
By David L. Robinson, July 15, 2021
If you are looking for something special to do, consider participating in the 5th International Monarch Monitoring Blitz later this month.
For 10 days, from July 23 to August 1, volunteers from throughout North America will survey milkweed plants in their region and check for monarch eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, and butterflies. Researchers will use the collected information to identify priority areas for monarch conservation actions.
According to a recent announcement from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, during last year’s Blitz, “thousands of volunteers in Canada, the United States, and Mexico” reported more than 4,000 observations of monarchs and milkweeds.
Learn more about the Monarch Monitoring Blitz and plan to participate in a worthwhile event.
I also encourage you to visit the Your Stories page of this site (see above). You’ll find the first two entries: John McMullen’s (La Mesa) review of getting started growing milkweed, and Rick Avery’s (Riverside) account of adding a greenhouse for monarchs. We’d love to hear your stories as well. Send to davidddrleon@aol.com
Thanks for visiting this Place. Please share it with others.
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6/13/21
Dear FOB (Friend of Butterflies),
As you’re likely aware, there has been some recent news about Monarchs. For example, among other informative articles, Ron Vanderhoff, vice president at Roger’s Gardens (Corona Del Mar) and CA Native Plant Society director, writes about Monarch Butterflies in Southern California.
Here are a couple of other Monarch articles that should be of interest:
And don’t forget, if you email a photo of your butterfly garden or a tip you have found to be useful(daviddrleon@aol.com), I will send you a sheet of butterfly stickers, butterfly tattoo (kids love them), and a bookmark. We will add your garden photo and/or tip to this site. (I promise not to send you any mailings or share your contact information.)
Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for visiting this Place.
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10/21/20
Dear FOB (Friend of Butterflies),
As with many other activities, the ongoing pandemic has curtailed some of our butterfly watching excursions.
Many of the zoos, museums, and other educational facilities that offer butterfly enclosure exhibits have either temporarily closed or initiated social distancing guidelines that make visits there more challenging.
But while you wait for our “new normal”—when we can once again get up-close with the butterflies—consider a few options. For example, you can enjoy viewing one of the butterfly cams, including:
www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/butterfly-rainforest/canopy-cam
https://fla-keys.com/webcams/key-west-butterfly/
https://web.stanford.edu/~kendric/Monarchs/cams.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKOIqNGcW-M
This can also be a good opportunity to plant a new pollinator garden or update your current one.
And remember, if you email a photo of your butterfly garden or a tip you have found to be useful(daviddrleon@aol.com), I will send you a sheet of butterfly stickers, butterfly tattoo (kids love them), and a bookmark. We will add your garden photo and/or tip to this site. (I promise not to send you any mailings or share your contact information.)
Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for helping to make this a better Place.
David
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8/24/19
Dear Butterfly Enthusiast,
I’d like your help.
One of the goals of Southern California’s Butterfly Place is to provide ideas and inspiration for others planning their own butterfly gardens. We’d love to include photos of your garden, whatever the size or design; or a tip for developing and maintaining a butterfly garden.
If you email a photo of your butterfly garden or a tip you have found to be useful(daviddrleon@aol.com), I will send you a sheet of butterfly stickers, butterfly tattoo (kids love them), and a bookmark. We will add your garden photo and/or tip to this site. And, I promise you won’t receive any mailings.
Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for helping to make this a better Place.
David
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Dear Friend (Butterfly enthusiast),
I have had a long-time fascination with butterflies, starting as a young boy when I would chase an elusive Monarch or Painted Lady through a meadow. I have continued this interest as an adult; learning more about the diverse species and even “raising” some on my own.
I started this blog-site as a way to share my own ideas and more importantly, the expertise of others. Special thanks to Jim Berrian and staff at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
You’ll find creative garden designs, special resources, news about butterfly developments and more. Just review the the various pages (listed at top) on a regular basis. In addition, I’ve provided several links (blogroll) that will provide even more information.
While there are a number of larger butterfly-related Websites–with details on nationwide and state species and viewing sites–our plan is to make this the most comprehensive source of information for Southern California.
Of course, we encourage your input, especially questions and suggestions.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Meanwhile, enjoy your first (or repeat) visit to Southern California’s Butterfly Place.
Best wishes,
David Robinson (daviddrleon@aol.com)
Southern California's Butterfly Place...resources, photos & more! 