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🌳 Nature Study: Trees As Habitat

Walk past a tree and it might look quiet but look a little closer and you’ll discover a whole world of life happening from the roots to the tallest branches. Across North America, trees aren’t just plants, they’re:  homes , cafeterias , nurseries , and safe havens for a wide variety of animals. Let’s explore some amazing creatures that depend on trees as their habitat and how they use them to survive and thrive. 🌲 Why Trees Make the Perfect Habitat Trees offer animals everything they need: Food (leaves, fruits, nuts, insects, sap) Shelter (branches, cavities, bark crevices) Protection (height and cover from predators) Space (different layers for different animals) From the underground roots to the leafy canopy, every part of a tree supports life. 🐿️ Mammals That Live in Trees 🐿️ Eastern Gray Squirrel These energetic climbers are famous for leaping from branch to branch. They build leafy nests called dreys high in the trees and store food like acorns in hidd...

Nature Study: Attract Butterflies To Your Garden!

Spring is in the air so what better time so talk about - butterflies!? 

Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory


We took a trip to a Butterfly Conservatory where we learned about the different stages of a butterfly’s life.

We saw all the stages: the eggs, the caterpillars and the  butterflies slowly emerging from their chrysalis and figuring out their wings. 

We also learned that butterflies not only like nectar from flowers but they also really like fruit. More on this later...first let’s answer a question that may be on your mind. 

Apart from being pretty to look at and peaceful creatures...

Why Are Butterflies Important?

Butterflies are natural pollinators and help with the reproduction of crops and plants. A decline in the butterfly (or bee population) can result in a decline or loss of some native plant species or poor performance of crops that rely solely on butterflies for pollination.

How To Attract Butterflies To Your Garden 

Pick a sunny spot. Apparently, butterflies are cold blooded creatures so they enjoy soaking up the warmth of the sun.


Plant flowers that attract butterflies. Plant several varieties to attract different types of butterflies or plant milk weed to attract the endangered species like the Monarch Butterfly. 

Place shallow plates of water and sand or water, sand and soil around so they have a water source. 


Peg a sweet treat to share with them. On our trip we discovered that butterflies really like oranges. Place some wedges on a plate or butterfly feeder for them to enjoy. 

DIY butterfly feeder waiting for
the butterflies

Provide a perch for them (backyard pavers work too). Aside from large leaves and flowers, butterflies like to perch on large smooth stones. Who knows...they may even feel comfortable enough in your own backyard to perch on you!

What are some other fun or interesting facts you’ve observed about butterflies? Share them in the comments below.

Tip: Download the SEEK APP from iNaturalist & National Geographic to identify the different types of butterflies in your garden or park. 

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