Our summer project at the basin is in full swing! Currently, the interns and staff are working on a fire-wise butterfly garden. What exactly does that all mean? We're here to teach the public about two very important types of landscaping all in one plot. Fire-wise landscaping is a design intended to protect the surrounding area from a potential fire. Here in Central Texas, our days of high heat far out number our days of rainfall which leaves us at high risk of wildfires throughout the summer months. With proper landscaping we can protect ourselves from an area that could potentially expedite the destruction a wildfire has.
A few guidelines to fire-wise landscaping are as follows:
- Proper spacing from structures
- Use of plants with water-filled stems and moist leaves
- Plants that do not grow tall or grow quickly
As far as butterfly gardens go they are not only visually appealing, but offer other benefits as well. Butterflies are pollinators that many plants depend heavily on for their reproduction. Since butterflies are attracted to native species of plants, this type of landscaping encourages a more sustainable practice. The bright colors and vivid patterns found in these gardens draw human interest which brings about a closer connection and appreciation for the environment.
A few guidelines to butterfly gardens are as follows:
- Many different colored plants
- Choose native plants
- Sunshine is critical for the area
- Be sure to have mud puddle areas for the males
We are all very excited to begin progress on this task! Feel free to stop by in the coming weeks to check out the garden. We have a number of different butterfly reference guides available. Tag us in your photos on social media to let us know what you find.
Stay tuned!