EMBF butterfly habitat restoration for Karner Blue
Eastern Monarch Butterfly Farm is a self-funding organization dedicated to Monarch Butterfly Restoration here in WNY. For over 20 years we have raised awareness of the declining Monarch population here and around the country through educational butterfly releases, habitat restoration and the introduction of native plants back into the landscapes of residential gardens, commercial properties and protected nature preserves around our local communities.
The last week in July we will be commencing with a native plant restoration project located at the Tillman Road Wildlife Management Area in Clarence NY. This purpose of this project is introduce Lupinus perennis ( Wild Lupine) to the landscape to attract a local population of the endangered Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Karner Blue Butterfly) to this beneficial wildlife and pollinator area.
The Karner Blue, named after a hamlet near Albany NY, was first identified by the famous novelist Vladimir Nabokov in 1944. Today with a dwindling population and a decline of well over 90% they are only found in small pockets around specific locations most notably the pine barrens near Albany NY.
This beautiful little Lepidoptera like the Monarch Butterfly depends on only one host plant for it's survival, native wild lupine. A native plant to NY, Lupine only grows in well drained sandy soil conditions and open savannas similar to Tillman Wildlife Area. In addition to the Wild Lupine , we will be planting other beneficial native plants, spotted bee balm, blue indigo, bottle brush grass and mountain mint
to benefit all pollinators at this location.
Funds raised will be used for native plant material and installation at this site. Thank You in advance. This project will not only benefit our local pollinators, but will enhance the aesthetics and biodiversity of this important wildlife management area.
