Knoll Park Declared A Sanctuary for Butterflies

Fairhope, Alabama




MONARCH MIGRATION UNDERWAY

After hearing a presentation from Barry Gaston, the city's tree and parks committee voted to recommend declaring Knoll Park a butterfly sanctuary and to install plants that attract the insects, especially milkweed.

Gaston standing.
Gaston, a former organic school teacher, said butterfly habitats are being wiped out by development and establishing one here with informational signs could be educational for adults and children.

Volunteers are to distribute seeds in the park and plant plugs in the buffer around it (butterfly bush); signs could be provided for less than $100.

Monarch butterflies migrate in Spring and Fall to and from Mexico where they overwinter; various other species are native to Fairhope as well.

A similar butterfly project was installed at Magnolia Beach near the American Legion Hall several years ago.

MAYOR SIGNS BUTTERFLY PLEDGE

During the last city council meeting, mayor Wilson said she had signed the Mayor's Monarch Butterfly Pledge, a national effort to save the insect (click).

The Eastern Shore Art Center is holding an event called the 'Art of the Butterfly' Saturday, Sept. 22 beginning 11AM.


New mural at library

CONTROLLED BURN PLANNED FOR PARK

Last weekend, the Friends of Knoll Park citizens' group were preparing the park for another controlled burn, a component of the ongoing long leaf pine restoration project.

The burn will most likely be in October, weather permitting, according to retired forester Patrick Waldrop, a member of the organization.


Monarch butterfly migration

Comments

Anonymous said…
Overuse of pesticides is killing them.
Anonymous said…
It's become a sactuary for weeds too.