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     I always had a love for nature, so in the winter of 2001 I decided I wanted to see lots of butterflies like I used to as a child. What would I do? I’d create a butterfly garden. That winter I did a lot of research on the internet to find out what kind of plants I would need. In the spring of 2002, I met Lois Hansen. She gave me a list of necessary plants, some native plants from her garden, and my very first two Monarch eggs. Along with the eggs, Lois brought over several books to read that were about butterflies.

    That was it. I was hooked. From then on I began reading every book I could find about butterflies. Each year, I plant a bigger variety of host and nectar plants. And every year I bring in most of the eggs I find, so that I can raise a variety of butterflies. From 2002 through 2009, I’ve raised over 2215 butterflies.

    The Detroit Free Press and the Journal Newspaper wrote articles about my butterfly garden. Mayor Sandra Cicirelli and Senator Laura Toy sent letters of congratulations after reading the articles in the newspapers.

    I’m a member of NABA (North American Butterfly Association), Michigan Entomological Society, The Lepidopterists’ Society, WAM (Wildflower Association of Michigan). I’m an Advanced Master Gardener and was awarded “Master Gardener of the Year 2007” for Wayne County by Michigan State University Extension. The Master Gardener Association of Wayne County awarded me the MGAWC 2008 Dean Krauskopf, Ph.D. Educational Outreach Award. My yard is certified by SEMBA as a Native Butterfly Garden, Monarch Watch as a Monarch Waystation, and the National Wildlife Federation as a Wildlife Habitat.

    I have given lectures at Master Gardener meetings, nurseries, garden clubs, and schools on Butterfly Gardening. I try to share my knowledge about butterfly plants and rearing butterflies with as many people as I can. We need to give back to the earth. We can do this by planting the native plants that were intended to be here. Native plants have higher nectar content than non-natives and they produce a healthy ecosystem by attracting a wider variety of birds and insects, which enhance the biodiversity.

     I was first introduced to butterfly rearing in my Biology for Educators class at Eastern Michigan University in 2001. My instructor, Tom Hodgson, has an incredible love of nature and brought in two Monarch caterpillars for the class to observe during our metamorphosis discussion. (Butterflys undergo a complete metamorphosis) After the class was over, he gave me the caterpillars to take home to my sons so they could watch the rest of the metamorphosis cycle.

    After our first butterflies emerged, we began looking for Monarch eggs everywhere we could find a patch of wild Milkweed. Because this doesnt always bring successful results, we decided to plant Milkweed in our yard. (Plant it and they will come!) As we did research on other host and nectar plants, our little patch of Milkweed grew and eventually evolved into a butterfly garden that spanned the entire perimeter of our yard. We certified our garden as a Monarch Waystation and as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

    On the credentials side, I am a certified Science teacher with a love of biology; I love nature in general including bugs, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and plants. The idea of sharing knowledge about butterfly species and growing the number of habitats is very important to me. Especially with kids!

    Brenda and I worked for the same company, in the same building, and didnt realize that we were starting gardens at the same time. She's a great resource for both plants and knowledge and were very excited about sharing our passion for butterflies with others.

     Mom and Dad always had something growing. Dad had a garden every year and they both had traditional flower gardens of roses, peonies, annuals and perennials. There were also a number of plants in the house throughout the year. So I guess my green thumb is genetic.

    I've been growing things since I was a kid. Flowers, vegetables, trees and whatever struck my fancy. I went through a lot of trial and error to find out what would grow for me and what would look nice in the yard. During this time, I noticed lots of critters that seemed to love my plants as much as I did. The most fascinating were the worms that would appear and eat and eat and eat. Then they would change into pods and go to sleep for a period of time. Then they would come out from the pod and suddenly that ugly worm was a beautiful butterfly. As a kid I was intrigued.

    As an adult, I began to learn what this metamorphosis was all about. I read books, I took classes and I tried to find out more information about the life cycles of butterflies and moths. This tied in nicely to my hobby of growing plants.

    The more I learned the more that I realized that I didn't know much about the plants, animals and insects that shared my habitat. I had to learn more.

    I took classes and seminars. I became a certified Master Gardener. I met people with far more experience and knowledge than I had. I gravitated towards experts like Brenda so I could learn more. I found many people were willing to share their experience and knowledge with me. The more I learned, the more I realized that I needed to know more. So I joined up with SEMBA. I can not be more pleased to be associated with such a fine group. They have helped me take my innate love of nature to a higher level. One of increased knowledge and appreciation of butterflies, the plants they use and loss of their native habitats.

    In the past few years, I have had my yard listed as a Wildlife Habitat, a Monarch Way Station and a SEMBA native garden. I'm proud to say that I've been seeing more butterflies in my yard thanks to what I have learned from SEMBA members. I am especially proud that I successfully raised a Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar and a few Monarchs this past season.

    Not too bad for a big, bad, burly, bald biker! Eh?

     My love of butterflies started when I was a child. I was fascinated by their beauty and flight. I have always felt a closeness to Mother Earth. I am an eternal student of life, I love to learn new things, and share my knowledge. Knowledge is power!

     I was reading The Mellus Newspaper and saw a notice that a Butterfly group was forming and decided to check it out. I missed the first meeting, but have been a member since the second meeting, and have enjoyed every one. I have gained so much knowledge and met many interesting people. I have enjoyed rearing and raising butterflies, especially with my grandchildren and the kids in our neighborhood. Children are our future.

     As far as what I bring to the table, I'm a Jill of all trades! I have taught Cake Decorating and Craft classes. I'm a mother of one and grandmother of 3, a biker, Girl Scout leader, volunteer, avid crafter. I have worked for a concert promoter, pumped gas, been a roadie, nanny, florist, bartender, caterer, party planner, cook, waitress, security guard, a Rennie, worked in sales and more. I look forward to the field trips, meetings, and the many activities we have this coming year.