Monarch Migration Community Service Project
/Submitted by Linda Martin, Civic Beautification Chairman
Saturday, October 12th marked the midpoint of the peak monarch butterfly migration in NE Florida according to the monarchwatch.org researchers. That was the perfect day to celebrate the restoration of the Butterfly Garden at the Train Depot Welcome Center on Centre Street and invite the community to come out and learn about gardening for butterflies and other pollinators. Club members wearing colorful butterfly wings were on hand to share information about migration pathways and monarch tagging projects.
We also celebrated the 200th anniversary of the City of Fernandina Beach. At the Bicentennial Passport stamping station visitors could add butterfly stamps and stickers to their passports. During the event we gave away 200 packets of pollinator-friendly plant seeds. Thanks to Lindsey Pickard of Amelia’s Native Wildflowers, LLC for sourcing Florida native and Florida Friendly ecotype seeds for this project. Visitors were able to see different varieties of milkweed, including Florida native Swamp and Aquatic species.
There was an exciting moment when a lone monarch flitted in to check out the pentas. He was soon on his way south (yes, we verified he was a he). Throughout the day the youngsters loved getting an up close look at the caterpillars munching away on the milkweed plants in the garden. The pentas and lantana attracted lots of Gulf Fritillaries and Skippers.
Thanks to all the club members who helped make the day a success with their time, donations, and enthusiastic support.
Gail Banwell, Elisabeth Beekman, Kim Brewer, Mary Butler, Pam Cartwright, Pam Dawson (and her granddaughter), Sue Dwyer, Jill Gunther, Karen Pavey, Betty Raker, Elizabeth Rawson, Sue Regan, Bob Reily, Karen Reily, Rich Reily, Jerry Walthall, Beverly Williams, and Marc Williams.
Linda Martin
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