Atlantic Cape Debuts Butterfly Habitat At Campus Greenhouse

MAYS LANDING, NJ — Atlantic Cape Community College has turned the vacant Thomas E. Brown Greenhouse on its Mays Landing campus into a full-time butterfly habitat for native species, with the space officially unveiled Sept. 10 during a ribbon cutting attended by more than 50 faculty, staff, students and community members.

The project began after Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Christopher Carbone introduced the idea of creating an indigenous butterfly habitat. Director of Science Labs Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby then repurposed the former culinary greenhouse, which had been used to grow herbs and vegetables for the Academy of Culinary Arts. The greenhouse was renovated over the summer, with work that included rehabilitating the structure, restoring potted plant benches and preparing the site as a place for learning and exploration.

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According to the college, the habitat was designed as a destination where students can relax, study, engage with nature and take part in hands-on environmental learning. Hamby envisions the greenhouse being used by employees, students and the public for outreach, engagement and education focused on the butterfly life cycle.

Inside, visitors can see eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises among four varieties of milkweed and other native plants selected to support local butterflies. The college said nearly 30 native flowering plants were installed inside and outside the greenhouse, along with a border fence made from locally harvested bamboo.

"We currently have monarchs, cabbage white, common buckeye, and painted lady butterflies in the habitat. All of the butterflies that we have, and will have, in the greenhouse are indigenous to our area," said Hamby, who stated that she has a permit from the State of New Jersey to collect all of the butterflies, except the painted lady, for the habitat.

Hamby said the habitat has already supported monarch development.

"We've actually done so well with the monarchs that we're going to start releasing them back out into the environment. They are a threatened species, so we want to help the population. We'll continue to plant milkweed and other plants to encourage more butterflies to the area," said Hamby.

The project also includes a mural honoring New Jersey's official state butterfly, the Black Swallowtail. Local artist and conservationist Delaney Cluff designed the mural outside the greenhouse after Hamby approached her about creating a piece to engage students and raise awareness.

"Terri-Lynn (Hamby) was looking for an artist to help design a mural as a way to engage students in the community, spread awareness and advocate for native pollinator species like butterflies," said Cluff.

The Butterfly Habitat is open to visitors Tuesdays from 8 to 9 a.m. and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The college said funding came from the William J. Spangler Beautification Committee for furniture, potting benches, the mural and educational signage.