Butterfly Coalition

viceroy at bellsouth.net viceroy at bellsouth.net
Mon Oct 10 00:37:51 EDT 2005


After the hurricane, after the chain saws have finished and the mountains of branches and logs are hauled away, the sun blazes down on new territory. 
It’s a bonanza for butterflies, if you want to look at it that way, and you might as well. 
My garden, which was wrecked last year, now blazes with passionflower, milkweed and plumbago, Dead trees are wreathed with blooming vines, and will provide shelter for the woodpeckers as well. 
We're thinking that other gardeners would like to band together for mutual support and encouragement, watching the return of wildlife to the ravaged landscape,  recording small triumphs and sharing information about our butterflies.
We am particularly concerned about the many species of endangered butterflies (and other insects) in the storm-torn areas. What should we plant, and how should we maintain our plantings, to provide habitat for those butterflies which will tolerate a gardened wilderness? 

We invite scientists, gardening groups, schools, wildlife management organizations and other interests to share their expertise and their experiences in this new list. 
This is not a new group, but a gathering of already-existing groups, complete with their own structures, officers etc. 

The files record early efforts on behalf of the Miami Blue. Many other butterflies had small populations in the Keys and Everglades, and may be in need of watchful study. Enthusiastic efforts to “clean up” butterfly areas will damage habitat and destroy weedy host plants. 

What’s needed in Texas and Louisiana? After the human needs are met, who speaks for the butterflies? Intelligent, knowledgeable guidance is needed, before the well-wishers create monocultures of lawn and exotic shrubbery, 

Please join the Butterfly Coalition, share your expertise with us, invite other members of your gardening or butterfly group to join as well. Everyone is welcome. 



Anne Kilmer
FACILITATOR
Butterfly Coalition 

butterflycoalition at yahoogroups.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/butterflycoalition


 
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