From lawn to wildlife paradise! This 6×30 ft perimeter use to be lawn, now its full of native plants. Started this spring it already hosts caterpillars of tiger, spicebush & monarchs, plus birds & mammals. Converting a lawn edge is a simple step to boost wildlife! #BackyardWildlife #PlantNatives

I’ve seen more Monarch caterpillars and butterflies this year than in the past few seasons—my milkweed is full of them!These will become the migratory generation that overwinters in Mexico. Plant milkweed: every yard matters for Monarchs!
#plantnatives #rewilding #monarchbutterflies #milkweed

This 10×6 ft, 2 ft deep pond is alive with frogs, damselflies & dragonflies. Birds drink & butterflies puddle on the edges. No pumps—just plants! Don’t dig in existing wetlands—they’re already vital habitat. Small ponds = big biodiversity! #rewild #wildlifepond #plantnatives #nativegardening

Monarch caterpillars don’t just munch leaves—they love the flowers too! If you’re searching for them, check the blooms. Plant native milkweed. Rewild your yard. #MonarchButterfly #PlantMilkweed #Rewild #NativePlants #PollinatorGarden

These Monarch caterpillars are about to pupate! 🐛Want to help Monarchs? Plant native milkweed. Swamp Milkweed is my favorite—it’s native, beautiful, and won’t take over your garden like Common Milkweed.

#PlantMilkweed #Monarchs #NativePlants #rewilding #plantnatives #savethemonarchs

Every time I work in the woods I’m restoring… I feel like I’m being watched!
#nativeplants #rewild #rewilding #plantnatives #woodlandrestoration

The Buttonbush: A Pollinator Powerhouse
Even as the blooms fade, my native Buttonbush is still swarming with pollinators—2 monarchs, 3 tiger swallowtails, a black swallowtail, silver-spotted skippers & more! Got a moist spot? Plant one. It’s also a host plant for several moths! #plantnatives

Just released this freshly eclosed Black Swallowtail!They’ve declined by over 30% in recent decades. Native host plants like golden alexanders support their life cycle—but they’ll also use herbs like parsley and fennel. Plant host plants!

#rewilding #butterflygarden #blackswallowtail #plantnatives

I happened to see a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar feeding after a rain—normally they only come out at night! Once it had its fill, it crawled back into its leaf shelter. A reminder of how native host plants like Spicebush support the life cycle. If you plant it, they will come. #nativeplants

Not just for monarchs—milkweed is a nectar magnet!

Here’s a Great Spangled Fritillary on Common Milkweed. For small gardens, try Swamp or Showy Milkweed—less aggressive, just as vital.

Milkweed - A host plant for monarchs and a powerhouse for other pollinators!

#Pollinators #NativePlants
#rewild