EcoTarium to develop native meadow habitat for butterflies
MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Hesshaus
Communications Manager
shesshaus@ecotarium.org
(508)929-2738
(WORCESTER, Mass.) — EcoTarium, a center for environmental exploration, is creating a native New England meadow habitat of tall grasses and wildflowers to attract a diversity birds, butterflies and bugs.
The habitat is part of a multi-year project to landscape EcoTarium's grounds with plant species native to southern New England. The landscaping will serve as an example of a healthy, native southern New England ecosystem, free of contamination and fostering diverse habitats for a variety of native wildlife. Native plants are those species which were present in New England prior to European settlement.
"Programmatically, the EcoTarium will use this meadow to educate visitors about the process of establishing and maintaining naturalized landscapes," said Dolores Root, director of museum programs and exhibits,"impressing upon them how their landscaping decisions affect the biodiversity of their own backyards."
Mowed lawns typically represent several species of non-native and invasive grasses which offer little benefit to insects, birds, butterflies or other wildlife. In contrast, EcoTarium's native meadow habitat will consist of a random planting of tall grasses such as Bluestem, Junegrass and Switchgrass; and wildflowers such as Milkweed, Aster, Indigo, Coneflower, Phlox and Goldenrod. Nectar plants and larval food plants will encourage butterflies and other wildlife to establish populations in EcoTarium's meadows. On a regular basis, visitors may observe many of the approximately 95 species of butterflies found in Worcester County.
"EcoTarium's butterfly habitat could be replicated in residential backyards. What distinguishes our project from most butterfly gardens is that we are using exclusively local species and are planting them in a random, naturalized pattern," said Root.
Before EcoTarium could plant the meadow, the existing grasses and weeds had to be removed. There are several methods for clearing an area of invasive species, including the use of herbicides, burning, and smothering. Smothering was chosen because it has less impact on the environment than herbicides and allows for immediate planting. Smothering serves as a physical barrier to growing invasive plants and blocks sunlight from reaching them.
For the process to work effectively, EcoTarium covered the area with newspaper at least five sheets thick and topped with at least two inches of sterile compost, or compost containing no live seeds. In just a few weeks following the smothering process, seeds were sown into the layer of compost. While it will take several years for the meadow to mature, the area will be green and well on its way this summer.
Other, adjacent areas will also be re-landscaped into naturalized habitats in the future, including a bird habitat featuring berry bushes, birdhouses and natural bird baths, and a native meadow of tall grasses and wildflowers. A small area is reserved for a demonstration lawn to contrast with the biodiversity of the new habitats, and a demonstration garden will be planted for visitors to identify many of the native plant species represented in EcoTarium's natural landscape.
EcoTarium has teamed up with Sasaki Associates landscape architect David A. Mittelstadt, designer of the project and a candidate for the Certificate in Native Plant Studies at the New England Wildflower Society in Framingham.
The landscape project falls under EcoTarium's Long-Term Capital Development Program to better utilize its 60 acres in the city of Worcester to promote environmental education. It is funded by the Nathaniel Wheeler Trust.
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