The Adopt a Butterfly Bed program began in spring 2022 as a vision for a healthier, more beautiful campus. The project seeks student and staff/faculty groups willing to roll up their sleeves and "adopt" designated garden beds at AC. Adoptive groups perform tasks like planting native perennials, weeding, and other general maintenance under the guidance of staff and faculty from the Center for Environmental Studies, the Physical Plant, and other area experts.
The mission of the Adopt a Butterfly Bed project is not only to enhance campus aesthetics, but to provide learning and service opportunities for interested groups, promote biological diversity, and increase native habitat area. Hardy perennials also require less water and active maintenance than annuals, saving additional college resources and manpower.
GETTING STARTED
Adopting a bed on campus is a great way to earn service hours for your group — or just learn more about native gardening in North Texas! Getting involved is easy.
Let us know that you are interested in getting involved. While this project is designed primarily for groups, interested individuals can sign up too. Contact project managers Rebecca Jones or Dr. Mari Elise Ewing to get the ball rolling.
We will send you some introductory information — a planting and design guide, recommended list of native plants — along with a contract committing your group to service for one academic year.
A garden bed will be assigned to your group. Requests are welcome! If you frequently visit a building that could benefit from perennial landscaping, let us know and we will be happy to assess whether the space is suitable for adoption.
Training will be scheduled for your group, including information about planting and general upkeep. We will also guide you through designing your garden using native and perennial plant species.
The bed is yours to maintain! Check out tools and request plants from the ENVS coordinator at no cost to your group. Beds are evaluated by project managers regularly to maintain a standard of quality.
MAINTENANCE GUIDE
TOOL REQUEST
Ready to work on your garden bed? The Center for Environmental Studies will equip your group with the proper tools for planting, weeding, and other maintenance activities. The tools listed below are available exclusively for volunteer use — just fill out the tool request form. Plants, mulch, and other materials (eg. soil, gravel) are also available by consultation with project managers.
Gloves
Hose (100 ft.) + Reel
Wheelbarrow
Garden Spade
Sharp Shooter
Hoe
Rake
Hand Trowel
Hand Pruner
Weeder
Bucket (5 gal.)
Sprinkler
ADOPTED BEDS
THINK's garden beds are located just north of the WCC mailroom entrance. Beds are planted with native asters, mistflower, autumn sage, and marshmallow hibiscus.
The Theta garden bed is located north of the entrance to the Wortham Welcome Center, just outside of Honors Court at Zauk Circle. The bed is planted with Texas sage, marshmallow hibiscus, American beautyberry, and mealy sage.
NATIVE PLANTS & ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
The plants below are recommended to adoptive groups during the design phase of the program. Our plant list was adapted from a brief guide to native, perennial landscaping by Dr. George Diggs. Click each tab to learn more about Texas native plants and the ecosystem services they provide.
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana, verbena family) is a perennial shrub that can grow 3-6 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. As the name indicates, the plant produces clusters of purple berries during the fall and winter. These berries are an attractive source of food for wildlife. The pink or white blossoms, flowering from May to July, provide nectar for butterflies.
Quick Fact: American beautyberry plants prefer the shade and are drought tolerant.