APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – A vibrant initiative is taking flight, bringing awareness to the vital role butterflies play in our ecosystems.
The Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin is a haven dedicated to educating the community about these essential pollinators.
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Butterflies, often seen flitting gracefully from flower to flower, are not just beautiful creatures; they are crucial to our environment.
At the Butterfly Gardens, the message is clear: Preserving these delicate insects is key.
Jack Voight, who has managed the gardens alongside his wife, Marty, for over a decade, emphasized the importance of understanding the connection between butterflies and the food we consume.
“It helps us as human beings to be sustainable in a way, and so they provide us that benefit of pollinating various plants, and that benefit is the food we eat,” he explained.
The significance of butterflies extends beyond their beauty — they contribute to the production of a staggering 30% of the food we eat, including strawberries, apples, coffee and chocolate.
With such a critical role in our food systems, the Voights are committed to safeguarding these pollinators for future generations.
“We try to make everyone realize the importance of birds, bees, butterflies and bats,” Marty Voight added.
Jack’s passion for butterflies began 66 years ago, sparked by a school assignment to create a butterfly collection.
Now, he and Marty aim to inspire individuals of all ages to cultivate their own butterfly gardens, emphasizing the need for both host and nectar plants.
“You cannot predict what kind of butterflies, as well as the quantity, you may have in your backyard,” Jack said, encouraging others to embrace the joys of butterfly gardening while being mindful of their environmental impact.
One of the primary concerns voiced by the Voights is the harmful effect of pesticides on these fragile insects.
Marty urges the community to avoid pesticide use, as it can lead to the demise of many butterfly species.
Their commitment to conservation is further highlighted by the establishment of the butterfly nature center 13 years ago, which aims to spotlight the importance of monarch butterflies and their role in the ecosystem.
In an exciting development, Jack is currently advocating for the designation of the monarch butterfly as Wisconsin’s official state butterfly.
A press conference is set to take place at the gardens on July 14 to support the monarch butterfly bill, further underscoring the Voights’ dedication to raising awareness and fostering appreciation for these remarkable pollinators.
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As the Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin continues to thrive, it stands as a testament to the power of community engagement in environmental conservation.
Through education and advocacy, the Voights are not only preserving the beauty of butterflies but also ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
