Free Rutgers Workshop: How to Attract Birds and Butterflies to Home Gardens

Rutgers - The Rutgers EARTH Center invites you to participate in a free workshop designed to add life to your garden by making it friendly to pollinators, such as birds and butterflies.

"Attracting Birds & Butterflies" is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 31 at the EARTH Center, located in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park at 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick.

This workshop will teach participants about the plants and features that can be added to a backyard to make it more desirable to birds and butterflies. It is designed for the beginner or intermediate gardener who is looking to not only beautify their home, but also make a positive impact on the environment.

Many experts believe that the public can help end the current decline of monarch butterfly populations. These butterflies are in danger due to the eradication of milkweed, its larvae’s host plant. Milkweed and other native plants can help any type of garden attract pollinators like butterflies, which in turn, helps to reduce chemical inputs, such as fertilizers or pesticides.

“The EARTH Center helps Middlesex County offer educational programs, like this one, to its residents, knowing that a personal hobby or interest has the potential to have a positive impact for our communities and on our environment,” said Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, Chair of the Business Development and Education committee.

This workshop is free but registration is required. Please call 732-398-5262 to register. No “walk-ins” will be permitted.

Even if you can’t visit the EARTH Center this season, you can still get great gardening tips by calling the Master Gardner Helpline at 732-398-5220.

The EARTH Center is run by Middlesex County, as part of a collaboration between the county and Rutgers University.