We have created to small pollinator gardens. The first was planted in the fall of 2019 and the most recent in February 2021. The newest habit was planted in our flower bed right in front of the office. We plan to add a rain barrel and different varieties of milk weed.
This project was so much fun! Can’t wait until we are safe to have our elementary students help us continue to plant seeds for our habitat in the future. (this was the original plan until Covid-19 changed our plans just a little). We marked off a 24’X24′ plot for our seeds to grow. This is near the road so our community can drive by or get out and observe our accomplishments. Myself, my son and his friend (Ty & Dakota) planted this plot just West of our office building. Even the older kids can have a lot of fun with this awesome project.
The Three Forks Nature Center located within Sequoyah State Park has a 1/2 acre pollinator patch. This patch is viable from the spring through the summer and a path is mowed through it for visitors to be able to stroll.
Master Gardener, Peggy Turner, designed and implemented a Monarch Waystation in her community. With the help of the City of Yukon, the Waystation is growing strong.
This is a butterfly garden that was planted by the District staff and USDA-NRCS Resource Conservationist in Stilwell, OK. This is to continue in our efforts to educate the public on monarch butterflies along with other conservation education next to our outdoor classroom.
This is small office pollinator garden at Derryberry & Naifeh LLC in Oklahoma City.
The City of Purcell Parks Department and Street Department have altered their scheduled mowing for certain areas around Purcell City Lake, allowing for acres of pollinator habitat to flourish.
The Papilion is a seasonal open-air butterfly house located in Honor Heights Park in Muskogee, OK. The only butterfly house in Oklahoma, The Papilion is home to ~300 native butterflies from mid-May through the end of September. Pollinator and display gardens, some of which change annually, surround the house and attract many species of native butterflies and other pollinators. A small admission fee helps offset butterfly and maintenance costs. Open daily beginning the Saturday before Mother’s Day through September 30. Hours: Monday – Saturday 9am-4pm and Sunday 1-4pm. Limited hours on holidays: 9am-2pm. The Papilion also hosts a tulip garden display in early spring.
This is a recently added butterfly/pollinator garden at the Payne County Courthouse, on the northeast corner of the lawn located in Stillwater. Chris Reding shared the photo with us at a Monarch Meet Up and also reports that his team has been working with County Commissioners across the state to spread pollinator protector species on roadsides in need of maintenance updates. They grade with pollinator beneficial plants while reforming ditches. Way to go Payne Co crew!
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) planted 2 large pollinator gardens in front of their Oklahoma City headquarters. During the 2018 season, many monarch eggs and larvae were collected from these gardens, raised to adults, tagged, and successfully released.
