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Unpave the Way for Wildlife

Creating Habitat Along the Migration Trail

"We decided we would turn our big garden into a butterfly garden."

Butterfly Garden by Katie Gengarelly
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
We begin with the story of Katie's butterfly garden because the garden itself had a wonderful beginning.

Last spring, Katie sighted the first monarch in early April on Cape Cod, a full 6 weeks earlier than monarchs had previously been reported from Massachusetts. To confirm that it was indeed a monarch, she collected the wings (the monarch had already died) and mailed them to Journey North. Was she right? Have a look at the wings and read Katie's story in the May 6, 1997 Monarch Migration Update.

A few weeks later, we received this note from her: "My mom got a Country Living Gardener magazine and they had instructions on how to plant a butterfly garden. It told what herbs, flowers, and water supplies you must have in it. We decided we would turn our big garden into a butterfly garden together. We already have a lot of flowers in bloom and we always have good luck with the flowers we plant so I am optimistic about it."
Pincushion Flower (Yarrow) Butterfly Bush (Buddleia sp.)  
Photos by Katie Gengarelly

Katie planted pin cushion flower (yarrow), purple butterfly bush, coreopsis, and others. As you can see, the monarchs found Katie! She took these pictures herself. This page celebrates her success, and may inspire you to plant a garden of your own. If you have questions for Katie, she can be reached by e-mail at: (gengarel@capecod.net )
Katie's Suggested Resource
Country Living Gardener May/June, 1997

Adds Katie, "In my Roots and Shoots group in school, I am helping teach and I have become secretary of the enviornmental club. I plan to raise at least 300 dollars to go towards the sancuaries, that's my estimated price. Hopefully there will be more. I have come up with fundraisers and we are going to make and sell products at craft fairs locally."


More Milkweed Grows in Massachusetts
Thanks to students at Katie's school who wrote a regular column for their local newspaper while following the monarch migration, other people in their community have learned about monarchs and are improving habitat for butterflies.