When the first part of this blog was posted our caterpillar was still inside its chrysalis; and it stayed inside for about 14 days. I was starting to wonder if something went wrong – usually the chrysalis becomes translucent but the one hanging outside our door was still very green. Was the butterfly ever going to emerge? Like a doting parent, I checked on it several times a day hoping that I would catch the moment when it began to crawl out of the chrysalis. As luck would have it, I came i...
When you see a Monarch butterfly flitting past, have you ever paused to think about that insect's remarkable life? Not many insects have as interesting a journey as the Monarch butterfly. This summer we had the opportunity to witness the beginning of this insect's amazing life. I'd like to share it with you.
This story really began early in the summer when a lone milkweed plant began growing outside the Stackhouse Education Center. Having studied Monarch butterflies in the past, ...
We’ve discussed a few sustainability topics this spring and summer, and one topic that is near and dear to our hearts here at the Arboretum is eating sustainably. Not only is this practice healthy for the planet, but it is healthy for you and your family, too!
Much of the food we find in grocery stores is highly processed and grown using pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. Some of it has been irradiated, waxed, or gassed. These practices may have negative effects on...