Butterfly Gardens

“You have probably never thought of your property as a wildlife preserve representing the last chance we have to sustain plants and animals that were once common throughout the U.S. But that is exactly the role our suburban and urban landscapes are now playing, and will play even more in the near future...we can no longer landscape with aesthetics as our only goal.” -Dr. Douglas Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home

The Butterfly Garden planted by the Research Triangle Foundation supports the ecosystem and provides employees with a connection to nature at work. Access to outdoor views can boost morale and productivity, and companies within the Park frequently cite the green open space and natural setting as a reason for locating here. Credits are also awarded under the LEED system for green buildings like the RTP Headquarters and many others within the Park for providing occupants with views and preserving open space and natural habitat.  

The butterfly garden at RTP Headquarters is certified by MonarchWatch.org, which requires use of native plants to provide food and habitat for butterfly species like the Monarch. With a migratory path over thousands of miles, these beautiful butterflies could be wiped out if too few milkweed (the main host species on which Monarchs lay their eggs) are left in the landscape. Research by Professor Douglas Tallamy and other entomologists shows how critical the presence of native species in the landscape is for maintaining biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem. Although the absence of insects may sound pleasant to some, a decline in their abundance would send ripple effects up the food chain to songbirds and all the other animals in the ecosystem which depend on them directly or indirectly. Science has shown that the relationship between plants and insects is complicated, with the specific biochemistry matching particular insects and plant hosts developing through co-evolution over thousands of years. This typically limits food sources for insects to only native species; they simply cannot adapt and feed on whichever plants we feel like putting in the landscape. This is not a trivial matter, as the future of wildlife in our region will be determined by the landscaping choices we make.