Open Butterfly Gardens Sunday, June 26

Summer has begun and a lot is happening in Sonoma County this weekend.
 One choice for Sunday, June 26, is the Hallberg Butterfly Gardens
outside of Graton, a 40-minute drive from Petaluma.

On Sunday, the center holds the Annual Open Gardens, where visitors
can enjoy butterfly habitat and education for free.

Visitors learn about the butterfly life cycle, wildlife gardening, and
habitat preservation.  Louise Hallberg's story and her dedication to
the heritage of her land, evolving to become a sanctuary and habitat
for butterflies, birds and wildlife, is inspiring.

Over the years, Hallberg has collected data about butterflies, nectar
plants, pollinating plants, and other wildlife.  The Hallberg
Butterfly Gardens web site notes -  Habitat loss is the number one
threat to our native butterfly species.  Their life cycle depends on
the availability of host plants, open spaces that aren't sprayed with
insecticides, and shelter for chrysalids.  More over, as adults,
butterflies are flying insects adapted to a large territorial range,
if not migration.  Understanding the needs of butterflies in all of
their stages helps us understand the structure of good habitat and
maintaining it.

More than 40 species of butterflies have visited the Hallberg Gardens.
Flowers provide nectar, and female butterflies seek larval food
plants to lay their eggs.  According to Hallberg, some native larval
food plants include Mourning Cloak (Willow), Monarch (Milkweed), Anise
Swallowtail (Carrot Family:  Anise, Fennel, Carrot...) and Skipper (4
kinds - Bunch Grasses).  Young caterpillars who emerge begin eating
right away.  (Hallberg Gardens web info)

Sharing the life cycle of butterflies and how caterpillars evolve into
beautiful flying insects is a fascinating experience for children.  A
butterfly and its variety of colorings is an interesting contrast to
the caterpillar it was before and then the delicate appearance, yet
amazing sustenance and strength, of butterfly species.  This miracle of
Nature is always inspiring, never tiring.

Butterfly and hummingbird gardening are a primary native plant
restoration component of the planned Paula Lane Open Space Preserve.
To discover the Hallberg Butterfly Gardens and learn from the Hallberg
and volunteer experiences for the past 20 years is a wonderful
educational gift.

Gardens are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 26.

(707) 823-3420, www.hallbergbutterflygardens.org

What will the day be like?  What will you see and feel?  Nature will
bring your day to you.