Credit: Bob Quinn Monarch Butterfly

On May 16, 2002, Blackwater Refuge celebrated the official opening of the Native Butterfly and Beneficial Insect Garden at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The garden was funded by the Dorchester Garden Club and was constructed by George Corey of Wye Tree Landscapes, Inc. of Easton, Maryland.

The garden is located behind the Visitor Center and features not only a wonderful selection of butterflies and butterfly-attracting plants, but also observation benches, feeders and a beautiful bronze monarch butterfly sculpture. This impressive sculpture was created by twin brothers Stewart and Steven Wegner of Wegner Metal Arts Inc. in Fredericksburg, Virginia (the brothers' portfolio includes the well-recognized casting of eight immigrants for the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island in New York).

The Friends of Blackwater and the Blackwater Refuge staff are proud to offer visitors not only a chance to see a butterfly garden in action, but also an opportunity to learn more about creating their own gardens. In addition to the garden, the Refuge offers educational exhibits about butterflies and butterfly gardening, and visitors can purchase butterfly-related items in The Eagle's Nest Book & Gift Shop.

Among the species of butterfly visitors are likely to see include Tiger Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail, Clouded Sulphur, Alfalfa Butterfly, Little Cooper, Eastern Tailed Blue, Question Mark, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, and Monarch Butterfly.

Visit the Butterfly page on the Friends of Blackwater website to learn more about butterfly gardening and to see wildlife flash cards featuring some of the butterfly species that can be seen at the Refuge.

Credit: Bob Quinn Monarch Sculpture