This week and next I have been educating summer campers, recreation group visitors and families using a 12×12 mesh tent converted into a butterfly tent safari. Captive raised butterflies have been released into the tent with their host and nectar plants. Milkweed for Monarchs, Mallow for Painted Ladies and Dill, Fennel Parsley for the Black Swallowtails. They have been mating like rabbits and hundreds of eggs and caterpillars are now also living in the tent. Nectar plants including swamp milkweed, monarda/beebalm, coreopsis, black eyed susan and purple cone flower are available for nectaring. We also have some non-native butterfly bush, verbena and lantana available to increase nectaring options within the tent. Only the natives will be planted into the insect garden after the tent is taken down.

I sold swamp milkweeds at $2 each to promote pollinator conservation.