By Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge | Oct. 5, 2015
The new Butterfly Garden at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge has been certified as a Monarch Waystation, with the program Monarch Watch.
Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall.
Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world.
The new garden is open to the public daily and features Texas native plants
Funds for the garden were obtained with grants from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Oliver Dewey Mayor Foundation, the Clara Blackford Smith & W. Aubrey Smith Charitable Foundation, Texas Audubon Society and Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society, as well as gifts from Friends of Hagerman members and other grants. The garden is maintained by volunteers.
A Garden Walk, with docents on hand to identify plants and butterflies is scheduled for October 17, at 10:00 a.m., weather permitting.
A grand opening celebration is set for 3:00 p.m., October 11, and the public is invited to stroll the garden and enjoy refreshments, as well as favors for children.