Click on image to enlarge Contributed by Brenda Dziedzic

Brenda releasing Monarchs that she had grown

I always had a love for nature, so in the winter of 2001 I decided I wanted to see lots of butterflies like I used to as a child.  What would I do?  I’d create a butterfly garden.  That winter I did a lot of research on the internet to find out what kind of plants I would need.  In the spring of 2002, I met Lois Hansen.  She gave me a list of necessary plants for my area, some plants from her garden, and my very first two Monarch eggs.  Along with the eggs, Lois brought over several books for me to read about butterflies.  That was it.  I was hooked.  From then on I began reading every book I could find about butterflies.  Each year, I plant a bigger variety of host and nectar plants.  I bring in most of the eggs I can find so I can raise a variety of butterflies.

I am a Co-founder and the President of Southeast Michigan Butterfly Association, a member of NABA (North American Butterfly Association), Michigan Entomological Society, The Lepidopterists' Society, and WAM (Wildflower Association of Michigan).  I’m an Advanced Master Gardener and was awarded “Master Gardener of the Year 2007” for Wayne County by Michigan State University Extension.  The Master Gardener Association of Wayne County awarded me the MGAWC 2008 Dean Krauskopf, Ph.D. Educational Outreach Award.  My yard is certified by SEMBA as a Native Butterfly Garden, Monarch Watch as a Monarch Waystation and the National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.  From 2002 through 2008, I raised over 1870 butterflies.

I have given lectures at Master Gardener meetings, nurseries, garden clubs, and schools on butterfly gardening.  Several newspapers have written stories about my Butterfly Garden.  I am currently writing a book on Butterflies.  I try to share my knowledge about butterfly plants and rearing butterflies with as many people as I can.  We need to give back to the earth.  We can do this by planting the native plants that were intended to be here.  Native plants have higher nectar content than non-natives and they produce a healthy ecosystem by attracting a wider variety of birds and insects, which enhance the biodiversity.

Brenda Dziedzic, President
Southeast Michigan Butterfly Association
1263 Springer St.
Westland, MI  48186-3721
734 326-0578
butterfliesinthegarden.com

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