Back to SearchDIEPPE, N.B. —The endangered monarch butterfly is getting its own dedicated garden in Dieppe. Attend the unveiling of the garden, a sculpture on the insect’s life cycle and interpretive panels on July 27 at 10:30 a.m., near the Aquatic and Sports Centre parking lot.
The City of Dieppe, in cooperation with Les Ami.e.s de la nature du sud-est du N.-B., has created a milkweed garden to provide a feeding and breeding ground for the monarch butterfly. At the caterpillar stage, the monarch feeds exclusively on milkweed, a native perennial plant.
The garden will be unveiled at a launch near the Aquatic Centre parking lot on July 27 at 10:30 a.m. A flight of monarch butterflies will be released during the launch, conditions permitting. An original work of art designed for the occasion by artist Heather Lawrie-Morse will also be unveiled, and interpretive panels will be erected on site to provide details on the species. Monarch enthusiasts will be on hand to answer questions, and specimens of the butterfly will be on display.
An endangered species
Adult monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico for the winter, where temperatures are ideal for their survival, but only about half survive the journey.
“In recent years, there’s been an alarming decline in monarch butterfly populations, approaching an historic low recorded in 2013,” says Alexandre Truchon-Savard, environmental director with the City of Dieppe. “We felt it was important to work with Les Ami.e.s de la nature du sud-est du N.-B. to create a designated space that not only benefits the butterflies, but also educates residents.”
To learn more about the monarch butterfly, go to dieppe.ca/monarch
Check the Info-Closure page before you go: dieppe.ca/closure