Butterfly Beltway
The journey of the monarch butterfly is one fraught with peril, immeasurable obstacles, and a multiple generational round trip over thousands of miles. A sign of warmer days, sunshine, and fragrant flowers; a monarch butterfly sighting means all those things and more here in Western New York.
The third-generation monarch of the year is born locally, staying locally, it needs pollinating plants and egg hosting sites of milkweed. These sites become the birthplace of the fourth generation. The fourth generation of monarch uses pollinator habitat to prepare for the thousands of miles’ journey to overwinter and then lay next year’s first generation butterfly. Seneca Park Zoo has been conserving pollinator sites since 2002 with our Butterfly Beltway programs.
There are several ways you can participate to make a conservation impact on monarch butterflies and other native wildlife. Explore the options below.
Pollinator Gardens
When you have us come to you for a garden planting, you will receive New York native plants that are specifically chosen to feed and support a host of native wildlife. Our pricing is flexible, and grants are available to select organizations thanks to the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation.
Each pollinator garden planting includes:
- A discussion about the importance of pollinators with our expert staff
- Native plants
- Guide (A booklet of relevant information on your garden, including plant profiles, contact information, and DIY information.)
- Seed donation program
- Instructions and guidance in citizen science activities
- Inclusion in programs like Habitat Network, Monarch Waystation
If you need us to do more, like maintenance, winter preparation, or more talks, we can always provide you with custom services.
Garden sizing can be as little as 50 square feet, and as large as 10,000 square feet.
Habitat Creation/Restoration
For larger plots, corporate or residential, we provide scaled out solutions to maximize pollinator habitat & providing meaningful ways for you to enjoy and contribute.
Each habitat program includes:
- Consulting visit to create custom solution
- Guide (A booklet of relevant information on your habitat, including plant profiles, contact information, and DIY information.)
- Specialized planting options that optimize seed, plugs, and gallon sized plants to build the optimum habitat.
- Instructions and guidance in citizen science activities
- Inclusion in programs like Habitat Network, Monarch Waystation, and registering of certified wildlife habitat
Seed Packets
Two types of seed packets are available for purchase:
Residential/business mix – This native mix is specially formulated with annual and perennial flowers so you have color and growth throughout the warm seasons. There is no grass seed in this, so it is perfect for around your house or building.
Prairie mix – This native mix includes annual and perennial flowers as well as native grasses and is perfect for roadsides, fields, and edges of property. This mix is taller and also includes colors throughout the warm seasons.
Seed is sold in packets that can cover 100 sq. ft., 250 sq. ft., 1000 sq. ft., and 10,000 sq. ft. Seed can also be sold by the pound for larger applications.
Have you previously purchased a seed packet and planted your own pollinator garden? Click here to register your garden site!
iNaturalist
Record wildlife observations
iNaturalist
iNaturalist puts nature at your fingertips. Start sharing your wildlife observations with us today.
Habitat Network
Habitat Network
A citizen science project designed to cultivate a richer understanding of wildlife habitat.
