Members of the Murrysville Garden Club brought a little “monarch magic” to Murrysville Community Library patrons on July 13, in the form of “butterfly wands” for their monarch butterfly release.
The “wands,” made from native wildflowers, bring freshly hatched butterflies up close for program participants to observe.
The garden club hosted a two-part program, “Fluttering Butterflies,” teaching about the importance of pollinators and the native plants that attract them.
Children were introduced to live caterpillars in June and were able to observe their habitat, feeding habits and metamorphosis. Club members also showed how to create a pollinator garden at home.
The club will continue its partnership with the library through a series of adult classes on gardening, beginning Aug. 9.
Just a few miles east, the volunteer Delmont Diggers group at the Delmont Public Library will host its monarch release party at 4:30 p.m. July 30 at the library, 75 School St.
“Early in July, we get eggs from a breeder, and put them in the shelter we built for the library,” said Diggers member Bevely Romig.
In the past, Diggers members have stationed a large enclosed canopy near their pollinator garden for the release party, bringing butterflies inside and handing out cotton swabs soaked with sugar solution so those in attendance can get a close-up look.
“We try to be as hands-on as we can for both kids and adults, because this is always a popular event,” Romig said.
The Diggers group performs regular maintenance on the pollinator garden, which is a “monarch way-station,” certified through the nonprofit Monarch Watch.
Romig said they also are working with library board member and Penn State Master Gardener Louisa Fordyce to gain status as a state-certified pollinator garden through the Master Gardeners program. There are more than 1,000 such certified gardens across the state.
“I love watching peoples’ fascination,” Romig said. “And as a gardener, I like watching things grow and seeing the garden attracting pollinators.”
For more on the Delmont library’s monarch release, call 724-468-5329.
