Butterfly trail offers a bit of serenity
If you're looking to experience a soothing bit of nature, why not take a mosey along the Butterfly and Native Plant Trail at Moraine State Park?
To find this local treasure, start out on the gravel bike trail extension near McDanel's Boat Launch on the North Shore.
Two access points from the bike trail extension provide entry to the 13 acres of mixed habitat and natural areas of the Butterfly and Native Plant Trail. The trail is open to the public during hours of park operation (dawn to dusk).
Working in conjunction with Moraine State Park personnel, Butler County Master Gardeners are the trail's chief caretakers. Their goal is to educate park visitors on plants and pollinators native to the area, and to this end they have planted flowering perennials and shrubs with an eye to enhancing habitat for insect wildlife.
On your journey, you will see or pass through a variety of habitats: woodlands, wetlands and a prairie. Paths through the trees take you over wooden bridges that span drainages and offer a calming view of the lake.
A major focus at the trail is to create and maintain a butterfly habitat. Native pollinators in general are in decline and butterflies are no exception. Many adult butterflies need nectar for food.
This is an excerpt from a story that appeared in Monday's Butler Eagle.
