Butterfly lovers walk on air with count
The fluttering of butterflies colored the air around the Baytown Wetlands Center, located on 1724 Market St., as the annual butterfly count began on July 4 and continued until July 14.
More than 30 species of butterflies were counted this year.
"It was so much fun and beautiful. This is a great area for butterflies. Any time you see flowers, you know butterflies are near. We are doing a big butterfly garden and a smaller one in front of the Wetlands Center with one of the colleges in the area," said Sallie Sherman, education coordinator for the center.
The butterfly count program has been held annually since 1975 when 29 counts were held.
Last year, 421 counts were held in 44 American states, five Canadian provinces and three Mexican states.
North American volunteers select a count area with a 15-mile radius and conduct a one-day census of all butterflies observed within that circle.
Counts are usually held in the few weeks before or after the fourth of July.
The count program is intended to promote interest in butterflies and provide results useful for scientific monitoring of butterflies.
"We went to a butterfly garden several years ago. Since then, my children and I have planted our own butterfly garden," said Peg Taylor, a volunteer and mother of three.
"The sight of those butterflies is amazing. I wish everyone had this in their own gardens. It only takes a little bit of land and can make a difference to your family and to the environment."
One woman has taken this task to heart and devotes her time to helping others start butterfly gardens.
Texas City resident Trudy Bell has turned her property into one big butterfly garden with tiny cocoons hanging all over her yard.
"Watch when I clap my hands. You can see hundreds of them flying around. There is one bunch that is going to hatch in about an hour," Bell said.
"I am working with a program to help people start butterfly gardens in schools and in their own backyards. All the leaves on this plant are gone because the butterflies have eaten them. The plants feed the butterflies and make the garden beautiful."
Bell's garden is complete with a lattice enclosure and sculptures. It is a piece of serenity that is recognized and sanctioned by the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
For more information, call Bell at 409-948-6262 or the Wetlands Center at 281-420-7128.