The Butterfly Garden

by Wilhelmina ravago

During the School Year 2005-2006, with Prof. Ramon Manjares as Principal, the Bicol University Integrated Laboratory School-High School Department developed the right front portion of its Gabaldon Building into a Butterfly garden.
In an environment of hasty succession, preservation, restoration movement is very essential that even schools must carry out actions. This school, as a social group, must take part in this attempt to restore homes of animals and plants. The Butterfly garden is the response of the Bicol University Laboratory School to this call.
Not only did it beautify the surrounding but it also made the students aware of the life and role of the interdependence of flowers and insets and its part in balancing the nature.
Aside from beautification and nature awareness, the Butterfly Garden was also developed for educational purposes. It gives the students the chance to learn the life cycle of a butterfly including their common names and scientific names. Moreover, it provides enjoyment and photo opportunity for students and visitors of the campus. It may also serve as an outlet for artistic talent.
In making the butterfly garden, some pointers were taken into consideration. Butterflies need and enjoy direct sunlight. They also need a place to roost for the night and a place to hibernate. Shelter is important factor in a butterfly’s existence. The spot in front of the Gabaldon Building is exactly the perfect location for a butterfly’s habitat. Breeding is also important for butterflies. In this light, the garden must have flowers as host plants for the female butterfly’s eggs. Likewise, flowers provide butterflies their food.