Girl Scouts Donate a Spicebush to Kelly Lane School
By Angelica Tomasino
Who doesn’t like butterflies? Or birds? Unfortunately, if there is not enough food for butterflies, there will be fewer of them next year. That, in turn, may reduce bird population that depends on butterflies as one of its food sources and for the survival of their young. New housing developments or office space, wipe out natural habitats where butterflies normally find food and shelter. Girl Scout troop 60289 of Salmon Brook Service Unit in Granby learned this fact during a field trip to Roaring Brook Nature Center and decided to make their own contribution to the preservation of CT native flora and fauna. They picked a spicebush (Lindera benzoin), a Conn. native shrub, attractive to butterflies and especially the spicebush swallowtail butterfly, to plant on the grounds of Kelly Lane School. John O’Brien, of O’Brien Nurserymen, LLC in Granby was able to make a special order and to give the girls a great discount on the shrub.
The spicebush was planted by the girls in the fall of 2013 and donated to Kelly Lane School. In spite of a harsh winter, the spicebush survived and has sprouted buds. Hopefully a lot of butterflies, and in particular, the spicebush swallowtail, will be attracted to the aromatic bush this year!
By Angelica Tomasino
Who doesn’t like butterflies? Or birds? Unfortunately, if there is not enough food for butterflies, there will be fewer of them next year. That, in turn, may reduce bird population that depends on butterflies as one of its food sources and for the survival of their young. New housing developments or office space, wipe out natural habitats where butterflies normally find food and shelter. Girl Scout troop 60289 of Salmon Brook Service Unit in Granby learned this fact during a field trip to Roaring Brook Nature Center and decided to make their own contribution to the preservation of CT native flora and fauna. They picked a spicebush (Lindera benzoin), a Conn. native shrub, attractive to butterflies and especially the spicebush swallowtail butterfly, to plant on the grounds of Kelly Lane School. John O’Brien, of O’Brien Nurserymen, LLC in Granby was able to make a special order and to give the girls a great discount on the shrub.
The spicebush was planted by the girls in the fall of 2013 and donated to Kelly Lane School. In spite of a harsh winter, the spicebush survived and has sprouted buds. Hopefully a lot of butterflies, and in particular, the spicebush swallowtail, will be attracted to the aromatic bush this year!
Pictured, left to right: Autumn Tirillo, Amber Tomasino, Chelsea Newton, Bianca Scacco-Dunham, Lauren Badorek, Ashley Puglise. Photo by Joy Puglise