Progress at the National Butterfly Center, 2016
I’ve never seen so many Mexican Bluewings!
This iconic species—the emblem of the National Butterfly Center—has erupted in unprecedented numbers, this year. We interpret this phenomenon to be a good sign, both an omen of abundance and affirmation of our work.
We’re often reminded that our gardens are one great, big experiment. For this reason, our fortunes are not assured. With regard to butterfly gardening, the formula is supposed to be pretty simple: Plant the appropriate hosts and nectar, and they will come; but this wholesale habitat restoration and enrichment project is a bit trickier. What to plant where and why? Can we buy it or go find it growing wild? If we get it will it cooperate with our soil, tolerate our water? What about our pairings and predation? After all, we want our eggs, caterpillars and butterflies to have strong odds against all the wasps, beetles, frogs, birds and other wildlife that find suitable breeding and feeding areas in our plantings. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail. Still, the bluewings seem to be celebrating a victory of sorts; so I’ll gladly take getting hit in the face by one as a ‘high five’ for a job well done!
North American Butterfly Photo Contest Could 'Net' You $500
(Mission, TX) – It’s time to grab your camera and get outside because your best butterfly photo could net $500 in the North American Butterfly Photo Contest, hosted by the National Butterfly CenterTM conveniently located in Mission!
The Rio Grande Valley is unique for the volume and variety of butterflies that may be found here, and they just love the summer heat. Lucky for you, many species start flying around 9am—as soon as the sun is high enough to dry the morning dew off their wings—and they keep flying well into the evening hours, before finding a safe place to roost overnight.
This annual contest is open to everyone and winners are announced each fall during the renowned Texas Butterfly Festival. Complete rules may be seen and shared here. All photos must be digitally uploaded to the website portal that opens for submissions on September 1, 2016, and remains open until September 30. Photos may be taken anywhere over the last year, so long as they feature free-flying butterflies; but the time is right, now, since our magic Valley is alive with butterflies and blooms following recent rains.
Pairing Landowners with Pollinators & Dollars for Planting
(Mission, TX) – Thursday, August 25, the National Butterfly Center is hosting a free seminar for landowners, farmers and ranchers interested in learning how to access grants and cost-share programs to plant for butterflies and wildlife. Representatives from funders, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, will be present to provide details and answer registrants’ questions.
RGV Summer Butterfly Count July 17
(Mission, TX) - Interested in learning more about the butterflies that call the Rio Grande Valley home? Join us for the annual Summer Butterfly Count, Sunday, July 17!
Each July, volunteers across the country brave the sweltering seasonal heat to count butterflies for conservation. The data gathered by citizen-surveyors provides a valuable, real-time snapshot for scientists, naturalists, and anyone concerned about environmental change, habitat loss, and disappearing or endangered species.
The count on Sunday, July 17, is the ‘Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley Count’, coordinated by the National Butterfly Center. This annual survey of species variety and volume inside a 15-mile radius is conducted by knowledgeable, local butterfly enthusiasts, covering public and private properties. The information collected is catalogued by the North American Butterfly Association and used for a multitude of research projects and educational purposes.
Are you Ready to Win the 2016 North American Butterfly Photo Contest?
(Mission, TX) – It’s time to grab your camera and get outside because your best butterfly photo could net $500 in the North American Butterfly Photo Contest, hosted by the National Butterfly CenterTM conveniently located in Mission!
The Rio Grande Valley is unique for the volume and variety of butterflies that may be found here, and they just love the summer heat. Lucky for you, many species start flying around 9am—as soon as the sun is high enough to dry the morning dew off their wings—and they keep flying well into the evening hours, before finding a safe place to roost overnight.
This annual contest is open to everyone and winners are announced each fall during the renowned Texas Butterfly Festival. Complete rules may be seen and shared on the website at TexasButterflyFestival.com. All photos must be digitally uploaded to the website portal that opens for submissions on September 1, 2016, and remains open until September 30. Photos may be taken anywhere over the last year, so long as they feature free-flying butterflies; but the time is right, now, since our magic Valley is alive with butterflies and blooms following recent rains.
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