Help Bring Back the Butterflies!

We live in an ever-changing world where nothing remains static. Each moment in time brings with it changes. Many of these changes are very conspicuous, others extremely subtle. Some changes are positive and very beneficial to our world's environment. Conversely, there are those that produce extremely negative and destructive results.

For the record, I have not exactly been an environmentalist throughout my lifetime. This is something I've always been content to leave to the experts. However, the more I've been involved with Nature through gardening in recent years, the more I've realized there is a small part I can play in the grand scheme of things.

I can help bring back more of those magical "flying flowers" that have enchanted me ever since I was a child. Better yet, I can have fun doing it!

Does this sound a bit presumptuous on my part? Perhaps it may to some readers. I realize not everyone is going to jump on the bandwagon to help increase the butterfly population of the world. However, for those of you who would like to, this is my invitation to you to climb aboard. Let's work together to help accomplish this exciting and challenging endeavor.

Your first question may very well be, "Exactly what can one little butterfly do to benefit our world's environment, just flitting from petal to petal in flower gardens?"

Strange as it may sound, butterflies really do play a critical role in our world's environment. Butterflies were created "in the beginning. . . " to help perform the unique task of plant pollination. Granted, there are many other pollination processes, but perhaps none as remarkable, magical, and completely natural as that of the butterfly.

Research has also proven that butterflies are very responsive to environmental changes. For example, when environmental changes are negative, these changes often adversely affect the natural habitats of butterflies, resulting in the decrease or even destruction of their nectar sources. Subsequently, the butterfly population decreases, and quite possibly some species could become extinct. Therefore, the butterfly actually acts as an important gauge for those researchers interested in how our world's environment is behaving--or, misbehaving.

"What other roles do butterflies play, if any?" you may be wondering.

Aesthetically, they add beauty, fascination, and magic to our world. As for me, I've always been a firm believer that butterflies were created simply to entertain Adam and Eve in their lush and lovely Garden of Eden. But I must admit, over the years I've often wondered, "Which came first? The butterfly, or the lowly, fuzzy caterpillar?" Kind of like the ongoing chicken and egg debate, you know?

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