Monarch Butterflies! The Mystery of Nature . . .

A big shout out to all Quonnie Neck residents for planting prodigious amounts of milkweed (and native nectar-rich flowers) over the past few years in support of the monarch’s! In mid-September, more than 250 were “clustering” at the breachway, as part of their annual migration to the fir forests of central Mexico. Click on the photo below to see some video and photos, and read about their amazing journey!

QCC Quick Survey

Use the link above to take a quick three-question survey to share your feedback and help us enhance our events!

Plant Native this Fall for Drought-Tolerant Gardens!

Fall is a wonderful time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Plants can develop their root structure underground all winter to support growth of stems and leaves in the spring without being stressed by heat or drought. Native plants are adapted to our ecosystem and are hearty and tolerant of drought. And they support local food webs.

Fall is also a great time to create “soft landings” by planting native ground covers under trees, shrubs, and perennials. Most native bees nest in the ground and need exposed soil or light ground cover, while thick mulch and dense lawn turf can make nesting difficult.

Also, letting leaves compost in place in your garden and reducing mulch helps support both native bees and caterpillars. Native bees are gentle pollinators and rarely sting, making them good neighbors even in yards where children play.

Consider this helpful Garden Plant Finder to discover plants native to New England that will thrive in your garden.

Prior to the turn of the year, a new Osprey Nesting Platform was raised by the Getman family in Quonnie. Click on the photo below to view a video of the raising, and background on the project!

Looking for a little family fun? Check out our 25×25 character Word Search, inspired by QCC themes and Quonnie landmarks. Click on the link below: