Butterflies are Back in Surf City USA®! Witness the Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly!
This month Monarch Butterflies make their home at Shipley Nature Center and Norma Gibbs Butterfly Park, a public park where you can witness the amazing life cycle of the monarch butterfly first-hand.
The majestic Monarch is back due to the great volunteers who restored this magnificent overwintering site.
Volunteer Restoration Project
With the backing and support of the Huntington Beach Tree Society and the City of Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach resident Leslie Gilson took on the restoration of the Norma Gibbs Monarch Butterfly overwintering site in 2007.
The group removed 179 dead and dying Eucalyptus trees and re-forested with a plan provided by Creekside Science. Initially, the North Bed was planted with over 800 nectar and milkweed plants, the only food source for the Monarch Butterfly.
“Over 1600 plants and close to 140 trees have now been planted,” says Leslie Gilson. “With the new nectar and milkweed plants, the monarchs will have a great home here. There were almost 50 caterpillars on some plants at the overwintering site. So, we are very excited about the restoration efforts at this park. The butterflies are back!”
Norma Gibbs Park is located at 16641 Graham Street, near Meadowlark Golf Course.
Annual Monarch Day, February 21st
Visit Shipley Nature Center on Saturday, February 21 from 10 am to noon for Annual Monarch Day.
This educational morning is filled with hands-on activities for families, including puppets, crafts, planting and tours. Learn about native plants that attract the Monarchs and provide food for the caterpillars, as well as the Monarch Life Cycle and what you can do to provide a home for butterflies in your own backyard.
About Shipley Nature Center
Shipley Nature Center is an 18-acre natural area located in Huntington Beach, California. Situated within Huntington Central Park, the nature center provides a sanctuary for the local wildlife and a haven for residents of, and visitors to, Orange County.
Shipley includes 4,000 feet of well-maintained trails meandering through several habitats, including oak woodlands, Torrey pines, meadows and Blackbird Pond, a natural freshwater wetland with mature willows and sycamores. Within the Nature Center is a 1,500 sq. ft. Interpretive Building with exhibits on local wildlife and ecology.
Shipley Nature Center is located within Central Park at 17851 Goldenwest Street, south of Slater Ave. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Shipley Nature Center is free for all visitors, but donations are much appreciated.
Phone: 714-842-4772; Website: www.shipleynature.org.
