Though it was butterflies that drew a crowd to the headquarters of the Forest Preserve District of Will County on a recent Saturday, the colorful flying insects were not exactly abundant.
Rather, it was the prospect of attracting monarchs and other backyard royalty that drew people to district’s native plant sale.
Milkweed, butterfly weed and wild blue indigo were among the popular sellers because they attract the most butterflies, according to Ralph Schultz, director of the Nature Foundation, a nonprofit group formerly known as the Friends of the Forest Preserve District.
Native plants sold for $5 a pint and $7.50 a quart during a fundraiser for the foundation held at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet. In the past, the event, which includes a Friday pre-sale and raffle, has raised about $9,000, which was used to fund education programs and school field trip supplies, according to Cindy Harn, executive director of the foundation.
Despite the heavy rain early Saturday, people came with lists in hand and to learn how to make their selections more beautiful and more friendly to indigenous wildlife at the same time.
“It’s amazing the number of people who show up and know what they know,” said Connor Shaw, owner of Possibility Place in Monee, which provided the native plants.
Shaw, and his son Kelsey Shaw, were on hand during the sale, as were master gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension and forest preserve representatives, who were there to advise customers on where and how to plant their selections. Possibility Place provided about 160 different species of perennials, as well as 30-40 different shrubs and trees.
“I’m looking to plant a butterfly garden in my backyard,” said Maureen Gauchat, of Bartlett.
“I’m also preserving nature as well, attracting butterflies and birds to my yard,” said Gauchat’s mother, Mary Ellen Catterson, of Lockport.
Cone flowers and black-eyed Susans also were popular selections, Schultz said.
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Mark Schneidewind, who serves on the board of directors for the foundation and is the manager of the Will County Farm Bureau, said the fundraiser helps the forest preserve district fund items that are not funded through the regular budget, such as the dog park.
Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.