This post was contributed by Ashley Davis, NCEA Monarch Grant Program Teacher Leader.
We have continued our clean up efforts in our garden as we prepare for the monarchs. While working to prepare the garden, we also have started researching what attracts monarchs and we have made plans for how we will set up the garden with a wind break and places for monarchs to sunbathe, etc.
We are ready to begin planting milkweed seeds inside and letting them get big enough to be transplanted outside. We will also haul dirt and mulch soon as we fill the center of this space for planting. We also hope to see our natural wind breaks blooming this year for the first time in many years since we have pruned them. We will also add two attractive white latice wind breaks in May. We cannot wait to begin planting for our monarchs!
The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations. ― Pope John Paul II
We are loving our butterfly garden. We are enjoying preparing for our monarchs while we also experience hands on learning within God’s creation! We are SO EXCITED to be doing what we are doing!!!! Thank you for this opportunity.
Learn more about St. Joseph Catholic School’s Monarch butterfly activities and more on the blog and on Facebook.
St. Joseph Catholic School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a recipient of the NCEA Monarch Rescue Grant. Grantee schools will share monthly updates on their efforts in researching, planning, building, and maintaining the very best monarch-friendly butterfly gardens possible. They will monitor the success or failure of the garden, learning from problems they encounter to plan improvements in subsequent years. Most important, the developing learning modules will incorporate Catholic social teaching on stewardship of the resources God has provided us.
Follow the Monarch butterfly conversation using #NCEAMonarch, search NCEA Talk using keyword Monarch Butterfly Rescue and view the Monarch Inspiration Gallery on Pinterest.
