Warwick Valley Gardeners’ Butterfly Garden wins NYS Garden Club Award
Pine Island. The award is given for the best establishment of outdoor classrooms, nature trails and wildflower walks, with the emphasis on wildflowers and native plants to expose and educate the public as to the importance of these plants to conservation and the environment.
| 18 Sep 2023 | 01:49
The Butterfly Garden in Pine Island Park won the first-place award from the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State Inc. for Native Plant and Wildflowers. Photo illustration by Agung Bagus Maradi via pexels.
The Butterfly Garden in Pine Island Park won the first-place award from the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State Inc. for Native Plant and Wildflowers.
The garden also received two award certificates from the National Garden Club.
The NYS award is given for the best establishment of outdoor classrooms, nature trails and wildflower walks, with the emphasis on wildflowers and native plants to expose and educate the public as to the importance of these plants to conservation and the environment.
This garden in the heart of farmland features thousands of native plants and wildflowers that are essential for our pollinators. These plants and flowers provide the food, nectar and shelter needed to sustain our pollinators. Pollinators are essential for the Warwick farming industry.
Unfortunately, all pollinators are now threatened due to loss of habitat, climate change and pesticides. This garden furnishes a much-needed oasis.
A pondless water feature was installed in the garden this spring. This supplies an essential water source for pollinators.
The water feature was funded entirely through donations of the Town of Warwick, local businesses and organizations and individuals.
The butterflies are now undergoing a process called complete metamorphosis in the garden. This means the butterfly is changing from its larval stage as a caterpillar and becoming a beautiful and graceful adult butterfly.
The garden is home to the iconic Monarch Butterfly. This migratory butterfly is now on the endangered species list.
“Local children love exploring the garden,” the gardeners said in their press release detailing the award. “They are our future farmers, gardeners and environmentalists and our best resource for preserving and protecting our environment. The garden affords them an important education resource.
“Come visit this beautiful garden in the bountiful Black Dirt region,” the gardeners added. “It is one of Warwick’s best kept secrets.
To join or donate to Warwick Valley Gardeners go to warwickgardeners.com.