The Black Swallowtail Butterfly is New Jersey’s Official State Butterfly
The Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc., by working on legislative action, is following in the footsteps of our illustrious GCNJ predecessors. They would be proud that we initiated a bill in the New Jersey State Legislature to have the beautiful Black Swallowtail Butterfly designated as New Jersey’s official State Butterfly! The results of this initiative were amazing as support poured in from all over New Jersey. All our hard work has more than paid off as we achieved a rare feat, obtaining unanimous bipartisan approval in both the Senate and Assembly and the final step, Governor Christie signing our historic Senate Bill S939/A2913 designating the Black Swallowtail Butterfly as New Jersey’s State Butterfly on January 11, 2016.
Creating Pollinator Centers Project!
Our GCNJ Butterflies & BeeGAP Committee has laid the groundwork for our garden clubs to partner with our local garden centers/nurseries/public gardens or others in setting up “Pollinator Sections” in their venues. G1 Graphics is our service provider for the signage that was developed.We have produced six signs with photos. Garden clubs and other organizations are able to purchase signs through the GCNJ Butterflies & BeeGAP Committee using this order form, CLICK HERE.
Each sign indicates their specific hosts/nectar/seed/fruit/nesting site requirements. This project will not only educate the gardening public, but garden center staff, garden club members, and schools and will produce additional business for garden centers, grow garden club membership and best of all, HELP GROW OUR POLLINATOR POPULATION!
Please find information on the Bee Smart School Garden Kit at www.pollinator.org
Obtain native bee houses and informative pollinator articles at www.gardeners.com
Obtain Bee Protective Habitat Guides at www.beyondpesticides.org
Plant for the Bees
Click Here for a list of plant genera that are nectar or pollen sources for Native Bees and/or Honey Bees. Thanks to Toadshade Wildflower Farm for their assistance.
