Delaware Nature Society Program Guide and Newsletter March - July 2018 | Page 6
Guardian
Events
Monarch Highway
Habitat Project
Save the Date for these exclusive
Delaware Nature Society Guardian Events
Throughout the year, we will be hosting special events and outings
for Delaware Nature Society Guardians – members and donors who
contribute $1,000 and above annually.
Be sure to mark your calendar and watch for your email invitation to
these exclusive gatherings!
The National Wildlife Federation, along with its regional
offices, state affiliates, and other organizations, are
issuing a call to action for the increased support on
monarch habitat along migratory flyways.
In January 2017, Abbott’s Mill National Wildlife
Federation (NWF) Habitat Stewards hosted monarch
butterfly enthusiast Mike McFarlin to present his
experience identifying, collecting, and raising monarch
caterpillars in Sussex County, Delaware. Nationwide the
data details a sharp population decline of the monarch
butterfly, which has been confirmed in local observations
by Habitat Stewards. Evidence for the decline are varied,
but the limited availability of the host plant, milkweeds
(Asclepias species), seems to affect our local and
migrating monarch butterfly populations. Mr. McFarlin
suggested that a bounty of native Common (A. syriaca)
and Swamp (A. incarnate) Milkweed exists along
our state managed roadsides and a summer mowing
schedule eliminates these important habitat plants.
The collective enthusiasm of Habitat Stewards for
supporting pollinator and butterfly habitat generated
an idea: The Monarch Highway Habitat Project.
Habitat Stewarts approached Sussex County DelDOT
and requested modification of current mowing practices
to focus on protecting the naturally abundant milkweed
growth on roadside right-of-ways.
In spring 2017, in cooperation with DelDOT, and avoiding
major highways, Habitat Stewards identified and
adopted six habitat plots; four were marked with DelDOT
“No Mow” signs and sanctioned “Monarch/Pollinator”
signs. Safety for volunteers and driving visibility was
a priority when considering plot sites. Supporting the
DelDOT “Highway Beautification Program” and the
Delaware State Pollinator Plan, Stewards maintained the
positive appearance of their plot by picking up litter and
trimming roadside growth, and began to collect butterfly
and pollinator data. Initial data was recorded for milkweed
density, blooming flowers, monarch butterfly and caterpillar
populations, as well as, other insect activity.
Mike McFarlin and our Certified Wildlife Habitat Steward
pilot Monarch Highway Habitat Project have received
positive attention from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
the Delaware Department of Agriculture (Pollinator Map),
local Delaware legislators, and Delaware drivers.
In 2018, we look forward to expanding public awareness
of highway beautification to include creating habitat to
support pollinators and monarch butterflies.
TUE, MAR 6 ~ PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW
Private Behind the Scenes Tour
7:30 am – 3:30 pm, van leaves from Ashland Nature Center
View the exhibition with an expert guide in the early morning, before it
opens to the public. Transportation provided. Space limited.
SAT, APR 21 ~ ANNUAL MEETING & VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION
All members welcome. See DelNature.org/AnnualMeeting for details.
MAY 3 ~ NATIVE PLANT SALE PREVIEW WINE AND CHEESE
5 pm – 7 pm, Coverdale Farm Preserve
Enjoy wine and cheese as you shop the Native Plant Sale. Experts will
be on hand to offer advice on our selection of bird-attracting natives.
THU, JUN 7 ~ MONARCH LEGACY BREAKFAST
8:30 am – 10:30 am, Bucktoe Creek Preserve
Monarch Legacy Society Members* are invited to enjoy a
breakfast with us.
FALL 2018 ~ GUARDIAN STEWARDSHIP COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Date and location to come.
Calling all
Teachers & Scout
Leaders
Plan nature science
programs with us
this winter & spring
Hands-on • Inquiry-based
Age-appropriate • STEM aligned
Common Core State Standards
Science • Agriculture • History
FIELD TRIPS
Bring your class or group
to one of our 4 sites.
OUTREACH
Bring nature discovery to your
meeting space or school classroom.
OVERNIGHT
Create a meaningful experience your
group will always remember.
To learn more
Scouts & groups
302.239.2334 x113
[email protected]
Teachers
302.239.2334 x133
[email protected]
To learn more about these Guardian events, contact Joanne McGeoch,
Deputy Executive Director, 302.239.2334 ext. 103
or [email protected].
*Monarch Legacy Society Members have made a planned gift to support
the future of Delaware Nature Society.
Tree Swallows by Ian Stewart
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NATURE EXPLORER
March – July 2017
Delaware Nature Society
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