Life Grows Here - Butterfly Garden

Each fa2018-04-17_5Y1A2719a [i] Monarchll millions of monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico to a scattering of locations. The Eastern Migration starts in March as butterflies travel from Mexico north to Texas and other southern states; over the next few months, the butteflies move north to colonize in the Northern US and Canada. In mid-August, the millions of Monarchs migrate south to spend their winters in high-elevation oyamel fir-forests in central Mexico. In recent years the migration of the Monarch butterfly appears to be in steady decline. This is due in part to several issues including:

  • Loss of milkweed needed for monarch caterpillars to grow and develop, due to habitat conversion and adverse land management.
  • Drought Conditions causing lower milkweed biomass and availability of milkweed in the late summer months.
  • Insecticides and herbicides used to control insects and weeds 
  • Habitat Loss



Whats Growing in our Life Grows Here Butterfly Garden
Life Grows Here Sustainable Practices
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Life Grows Here- becomes a Monarch Waystation.

Years of hard work and dedication bring about the establishment of a Monarch Waystation in the Town of Shady Shores. The idea of a butterfly garden started with a small group of volunteers serving as the Keep Shady Shores Beautiful Committee.   The committee sketched out their idea for a butterfly garden and walking path, only to be slowed down by Covid.   In 2021 the committee and staff worked to revive the project and won a grant through the Texas Native Plant Society. In 2022 the garden was officially installed.  

With the growing concern about the decline in the Monarch population, the Town of Shady Shores is committed to “creating, conserving, and protecting Monarch Habitats.” Read more at moncarchwatch.org. Monarchs migrate through Texas from their northern breeding grounds to their overwintering areas in Mexico. Waystations provide the food and shelter needed to make the journey. Planting four native milkweed varieties, three different types of annual nectar plants, and five perennial plants provides butterflies with the nutrients they need. In addition, two different shelter shrubs were also planted. The garden is more than just its plants. The Town of Shady Shores is also using sustainable gardening practices such as not using any insecticides, using compost/mulch for soil amendment, and other practices to encourage and model native landscaping. 

As the butterfly garden named “Life Grows Here” prepares to turn three years old, the Town of Shady Shores begins plans for the next phase of the vision of their town hall campus. Future visions include public education with community partners. A walking path to promote healthy outdoor living lakeside and more. But don’t wait to come out and enjoy the view of the butterflies; come now and visit the Little Library, enjoy a picnic at the picnic tables, or sit in the sunshine under one of our Burr Oak trees. We’d love to see you! butterfly 3    Butterfly Garden - Design SketchIMG_2691

    

KEEP SHADY SHORES BEAUTIFUL PLANS BUTTERFLY GARDEN  

In order to encourage native landscape practices and help preserve our local landscape, an overall garden is planned to encourage native landscaping. Native plants are drought-tolerant, and naturally conserve our water resources, they do not need special pampering or fertilizing, and provide habitat and food for birds butterflies bees, and other wildlife. This plan and project work to satisfy the requirements of our Town’s MS4 stormwater permit and provides educational experiences for residents and school groups that are within the community. The Butterfly Garden and walking track are Phase 1 of the project. With the lack of available sidewalks within the town, the walking track will be .25 miles and will offer a place for those who wish to exercise safely while enjoying the native landscaping. The project has been planned to be completed in stages, paid for through fundraising efforts and other funding sources.  The Board was recently notified that a grant in the amount of $400 was received to help with the purchase of plants.   Want to help support the project?

Make a Tax deductible Donation2020-04-25_9364 [s] Buckeye
Purchase a Brick
Purchase a T-Shirt $5
Volunteer


NAME THAT GARDEN! Contest 10/1/2021- 0/30/2021

Life Grows Here- Butterfly Garden

In October of 2021, Keep Shady Shores Beautiful hosted a "Name that Garden" contest. Contestants were asked to submit a name and/or a logo. The winning name was "Life Grows Here." 

Butterfly garden

Life Grows Here Butterfly Garden Sign