Unique Butterfly Sculpture Now At West Lynn Garden

Unique Butterfly Sculpture Now At West Lynn Garden

Unique Butterfly sculpture now at West Lynn Garden

So popular was the sculpture of overwintering butterflies at the Ellerslie International Flower Show this year that it has been recreated for the school holidays at the West Lynn Garden Society in New Lynn.

School children all over New Zealand were invited to take part, colouring in a Monarch, and writing a message of support on the reverse.

Members of the Monarch Butterfly Trust then arranged them in their thousands on branches of rimu.

"They looked just as they would have in the wild," said Jacqui Knight from the Monarch Butterfly Trust. "Very realistic - and it was fun seeing children point out the one that they thought they had created.

The Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust is raising awareness among New Zealanders of the need to plant more habitat for butterflies and bees - and to protect the reducing number of butterflies seen each year. They were thrilled when the West Lynn Garden Society agreed to display the sculpture over the summer, as so many families enjoy visiting the Butterfly House to see the butterflies in all stages of their metamorphosis.

Bugman, Ruud Kleinpaste, was very complimentary of the group's efforts.

"Loss of habitat, climate change, and the effects of bio-control are major influencers on the apparent loss of butterfly species," he said. "It is great that someone is bringing their plight to the attention of the general public."

"It is a wonderful opportunity for children of all ages to get up really close to the caterpillars and chrysalises," said Margaret Jamieson, President of the West Lynn Garden Society.

The group was formed in 1981 and developed along similar lines as its Mt Eden counterpart by hardworking volunteers.

"Our gardens were opened to the public in 1983," she said. "In February 2008 we will be celebrating our Silver Jubilee."

In February 1992 the West Lynn Garden Society was formed and a committee of West Auckland enthusiasts was elected.

The group welcomes new members and volunteers.

"It is an excellent way to learn about gardening," she said. "Or merely an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air. It is a real treasure of the Waitakere City."

ENDS