nature
BRINGING
BUTTERFLIES
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New garden atop �arret Mountain promotes biodiversity �RITTEN�Y MATT FAGAN ��OTO�RA��Y �Y MITSU YASUKAWA
In the spirit of “ Think globally , act locally ,” Passaic County recently hung awelcome sign for Lepidoptera �butter�ies and moths� with the creation of anew butter�y garden atop Garret Mountain . The fenced-off plantings are meant to entice butter- �ies such as the monarch , the black swallowtail ��ew Jersey ’ s official butter�y� and the painted lady to visit the Woodland Park garden .
�ey to its success isthe inclusion of numerous indigenous plants like swamp milkweed , which are necessary to maintain butter�y populations . “ We have to restore biodiversity ,” says the Bergen County Audubon Society ’ sDon Torino . “ We aren ’ t going to save migratory birds and butter�ies without changing our way of gardening .” That means those who love and want tohelp butter�ies might consider ditching the marigolds and petunias intheir gardens in favor of native plants .
�umerous studies have shown that the numbers ofbutter�ies and other pollinators , which are necessary for our survival , have plummeted over the past several years . Arecent analysis published last year inthe journal Science showed that populations of insects like butter�ies , ants and grasshoppers are dropping more than 10� each decade .
While there are amultitude of reasons for the decline of the insect and butter�y population , habitat loss is among the top causes , says the �orth American Butter�y Association ’ s Patti Pfeifer .
Projects like the garden at Garret Mountain �eservation and another
ONE WITH NATURE A�road-winged Skipper at the new �utter�y �arden in �arret Mountain Reservation in �oodland �ark .
at Preakness Healthcare Center in Wayne are helping to restore some of the habitat . They could attract as many as ado�en species of butter�ies . For instance , the planting of milkweed is key to the survival of monarchs , which migrate to and from Mexico . “ Monarchs will only lay their eggs on milkweed ,” Pfeifer says . Only milkweed contains nutrients the larvae need .
The garden was created with funds from Bergen County Audubon Society , City Green and Friends of Garret Mountain . City Green ’ s outreach coordinator , Jasmine Moreano , says the garden provides wildlife opportunities in one of the most densely populated portions of the state .
City Green , an urban farming organi�ation based inClifton , began in recent years to add habitat restoration as part of its efforts . “ The goal was to create homes for all the critters that live in this area ,” says Moreano . Its efforts have so far been fairly successful . There ’ s been a noticeable increase in species like the Eastern goldfinch , �ew Jersey ’ s state bird , and the praying mantis . “ There ’ swhole �ocks of Eastern goldfinches ,” she says .
Moreano also says that this project is not a one-off . City Green has grants available for communities seeking to create their own butter�y gardens .
For Friends of Garret Mountain �eservation president Vera La�ar , the garden ’ s addition is a welcome one that addresses not only the needs of a declining insect population , but the entire community . “ May this garden provide asanctuary for butter�ies and other pollinators ,” she says . ■
30 BACK TOSCHOOL 2021 WAYNE MAGAZINE