Shiawassee NWR Headquarters Butterfly Garden - Photo by Steve Kahl

The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge headquarters area became more attractive for wildlife in 2006. 

Refuge staff and members of the Friends of Shiawassee NWR collaborated to create a new butterfly garden near the visitor entrance and employee parking lot.  The space adjacent to the building was occupied with exotic shrubs such as European privet and mugho pine. 

These shrubs were removed and dozens of perennial flowers were planted that are native to Michigan.  Flower species include butterfly-weed, rough blazingstar, western sunflower, purple coneflower, cardinal-flower, great blue lobelia, black-eyed susan, and flat-topped white aster. 

Several species of butterflies have been observed taking advantage of the nectar supply including monarch, red admiral, clouded sulphur, common wood-nymph, and silver-spotted skipper.  American goldfinches, American tree sparrows, and dark-eyed juncos commonly exploit the new seed source.  Further, the garden is an eye-catching landscape that encourages visitors to try butterfly gardening in their own yards.