Asheville/Mills River – Human-sized butterflies have been installed at the Asheville Visitor Center and Reems Creek Nursery. Butterfly stations will be established throughout Buncombe County in 2024 and 2025. The inspiring trail will feature 15 stunning local butterflies and the plants they require as caterpillars. The official ribbon-cutting celebration, hosted by Bee City USA – Asheville and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, will take place on August 29th at noon outside the Asheville Visitor Center.
Pollinators are facing significant threats. Many are aware of the monarch butterfly’s annual migration to Mexico in the fall, a phenomenon that has occurred for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Unfortunately, a recent survey by the World Wildlife Fund Mexico revealed that the presence of the eastern monarch butterfly population in Mexico’s oyamel fir forests this past winter was 59.3% lower than the previous year. This marks the first time since the 2013-2014 overwintering season that the eastern monarch population has occupied less than one hectare.
Pollinators are animals or insects that transfer pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, either on the same flower or another plant. Many plants cannot reproduce without pollinators’ help. For example, without bees, most apple trees would not produce any apples at all. The pollen from a tree’s flowers will not fertilize other flowers on the same tree; trees need bees to carry pollen from another tree to produce their fruit. Educating the public on the need for and needs of pollinators is crucial. With a better understanding of the situation, homeowners can make small changes that help reduce the threats to pollinators.
Concerned about the global decline of pollinators and its implications for cascading species loss, Phyllis Stiles assembled a steering committee to design an organization aimed at mobilizing communities for pollinator conservation—Bee City USA. In 2012, Asheville’s City Council members voted unanimously to adopt the first Bee City USA resolution in the nation. There are currently 413 Bee Cities and Campuses in 47 states.
Now Bee City USA – Asheville is placing these human-sized wings to provide fun photo opportunities and remind everyone of the importance of butterflies. This event represents the culmination of a year of planning for a trail of human-scale butterflies. Each of the fifteen butterflies featured is native to Western North Carolina. Informational signs will help people understand the broader story of what pollinators do and how they do it. These signs will include natural history details such as the butterfly’s life cycle, male/female forms, fun facts, larval host plants, and a QR code for further information about each featured butterfly on the Asheville Butterfly Trail website.
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and the Gulf Fritillary are the first two to be placed throughout the area. All will have interpretive signage to help visitors learn about these exquisite native insects and their remarkable survival strategies. Additional educational materials such as a trail map, a trail coloring book, and passports will eventually be available.
The large Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with its vibrant yellow and black striped wings, is located next to the parking lot entrance of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at 36 Montford Avenue. The Swallowtail is one of the largest butterflies in the United States, with an average wingspan of 4.5 inches. The orange Gulf Fritillary has been placed at Reems Creek Nursery in Weaverville. Many plants native to Western North Carolina provide essential food and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and can be found at Reems Creek Nursery, including the Gulf Fritillary’s only caterpillar host plant, Passionflower vine.
Town of Mills River Converts Meadow for Wildlife
Fifteen acres of former agricultural hay fields have recently been transformed into a native-managed meadow. The Town, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, collaborated with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission to plant over 250 pounds of a seed mix containing native grasses and forb species this past winter. The seed mix included approximately 30 different flowering perennial species, which will provide a diversity of colorful blooms throughout the growing season.
The newly established meadow will also significantly enhance birdwatching opportunities at Mills River Park. The diverse plantings and habitats will attract various bird species, offering birdwatchers an increased abundance and diversity of birds. The meadow’s improvements will support both migratory and resident bird species and provide habitat for ground-nesting birds that require early successional/grassland habitats.
In addition to the meadow, Mills River Park has introduced a Pollinator Garden, maintained by a dedicated group of Henderson County Master Gardeners. This garden is designed to support bees, beetles, moths, butterflies, and hummingbirds while educating the public about the importance of pollinators in our environment.