National Wildlife Federation/ San Diego County

Habitat Stewards Meeting Feb 3rd 2007

Mar 04, 2007

Gathering Host Mellisa Stokely

Speaker: Pat Pawlowski
Animated Gardens: Butterfly and Humming Bird Garden Design and Lectures.

We watched a wonderful slide presentation by Pat on Butterflies of San Diego it was absolutely beautiful to see all the different types of butterflies and we learned how to tell the difference between the males and female Monarchs. Pat also talked about how different Habitats will supply certain types of butterflies but by planting the host plants you can attract the most butterflies for your own microclimate.

To attract the most butterflies you need to understand the four stages of the life cycle:
(1)EGG (2)CATERPILLAR (3)CHRYSALIS
(4)ADULT BUTTERFLY

You need to provide what is needed for each stage to attract the most butterflies.

Egg and Caterpillar stage:
The female lays her egg on the type of plant called a host plant) that will sustain the caterpillar, which will eventually hatch into a caterpillar. Each species of caterpillar/butterflies require its own type of host plant or plants. For example a female monarch will lay her egg only on plants in the milkweed (Asclepiadaceae) family because the nutrients in milkweed are the only ones that will sustain the monarch caterpillar.
Host plants: Milkweeds for Monarchs. Fennel, Parsley, Dill & Carrot tops for Anise Swallowtails. Plumbago for Marines blues. Passionflower vine for Gulf Fritillaries. Stinging nettles and Baby tears for Red Admirals. Cassia for Cloudless Sulphurs. Willows for Morning Cloaks. False Indiigo for California Dogfaces. Citrus for Giant Swallowtails. (This only a partial list)

Chrysalis Stage:
This is the easiest stage. Most butterflies will attach themselves to a post or tree trunk or other sheltered areaand form themselves into a chrysalis stage. They hang there until they are transformed into an adult butterfly.

Butterfly Stage:
Of course this is the stage that is the most fun; it?’s wonderful to see the adult butterfly flitting around your yard. Luckily adult butterflies are not as picky as the caterpillar stage. Adults never eat leaves,but will take nectar from a variety of flowers.

Nectar plants: Lantana, Butterfly bush, Verbena, Coreopsis, Milkweed, Pentas, Aster, Dandelion, Liatris, Purple Coneflower, Zinnia and many more.
Adult butterflies also appreciate a sunny sheltered area. Provide rocks for them to bask on. Supply a source of moisture like a muddy spot or small fountain and most important No Pesticides! You will turn your yard into a killing field. You?’ll never get all the bad guys gone and you?’ll never attract the good guys which will eat the ?“baddies?” Don?’t just work in the garden, sit in it savor it, and let nature be itself.


Meeting Minutes

Our shade canopy banners designed by Danial Flower are in and they look great. The five foot long messages: "One Yard at a Time", SanDiegoHabitatStewards.org with NWF logo will be visible on three sides of the hunter green events display canopies.

Everyone got lots of business cards and various handouts including the brand new one that is so gorgeous.

Chula Vista is working to become a certified community. Way to go Chula Vista!

Note from one of our Stewards. If you feel small and insecure about the events it is o.k you do not have to be a speaker if this intimidates you, there are many things to be done that help. Let Connie know and she will pair you up with someone who will help you or find something for you to do at your skill level. We can all contribute on some level. This may even help boost your self-esteem!

Please enter your hours. It is easier than ever now just send them in monthly by e-mail and its done. We need the hours recorded in order to get what we ask for and so far we have received every thing we have asked for. Let keep it that way by sending in your hours! Contact Connie for more information.

The transformation of the slide show to PowerPoint is almost complete. Denise needs to get with Connie to go over the presentation before it is completed. I have already had requests for it! This should make it easier for all of us to do presentations.

We broke from the meeting and toured Mellisa?’s beautiful garden what a treat. After the tour we did lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. It was a wonderful Saturday event to all that attended.

By Denise McKay

Upcoming Events:

Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College Spring
Plant Sale, March 17. We already have volunteers to cover this event. Thank you to those heroes!

April 7, our stewards gathering at Buena Creek
Gardens, 10 a.m. with picnic, birds and butterflies!

May 5 and 6, Sage and Songbirds. We will need
volunteers for our booth for this event which is held at Viejas Outlet Mall in Alpine.

May 19, Cuyamaca College Spring Festival. We will need volunteers.

June 2, Tecate. World Environment Day. People who volunteer for the above events will have first right of refusal for being driven to Tecate to have a fantastic day of fun with an awesome free lunch!