Butterfly Love

We missed the holidays in December, and don’t think we’ll get Valentines out this year, either, but we do want our members, visitors and NECTAR subscribers to know we appreciate you more than you will ever know!  We are grateful for your patience and continued interest, even if it means our shared passion is put on a slow burn for a season or two.

Please know we’re focused on improving the grounds and gardens, enhancing habitat, restoring the wetland, and adding amenities that will make this place ever-more attractive to you.  Despite our recent failings in communication, this a love story worth following!

XOXOXOXO, For the Love of Butterflies!

From Everyone at the National Butterfly Center

Donor Letters

Letters for tax purposes have gone out! If you joined the National Butterfly Center or donated $100 or more for any reason in 2017, you should have received a letter acknowledging this.  If you gave online, and we do not have your address, you may not have received a letter; if you gave and asked NOT to be added to our database for future communications, you may not have received a letter; if you gave under various names, i.e. “Jake” and “Jacob”, you may receive multiple letters…and always, we make a few typos and other mistakes.

If you did not receive a letter, or your letter is incorrect, please contact Angie@NationalButterflyCenter.org and she will get that corrected right away!

The Latest on our Lawsuit

In December, the North American Butterfly Association filed suit against the federal government concerning activities on our property related to the Border Wall. Last month, the government responded by appointing opposing counsel; so, we are preparing to move ahead, through the courts.

Meanwhile, we are anxiously anticipating the suit in California, concerning the REAL ID Act and waivers invoked for construction of the wall that disregard environmental and other protections related to clean air, clean water, tribal lands, historical landmarks, religious sites, migratory birds, endangered species, etc.  You may read more about that suit, which goes to trial TODAY, by clicking this link.

As of this morning, it appears the new federal budget deal will provide $3 billion for the Border Wall in south Texas, specifically for the acquisition of private lands, such as ours, and the advance procurement of steel. This means construction is likely to begin at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, in the near future. To read more about the budget deal, click here. To learn more about how this will impact Santa Ana, “the crown jewel of the NWR system,” click here.

Our SOTU, from Marianna

New blog posts have been in short supply lately. For those who look forward to regular “Lessons & Reflections from the National Butterfly Center” this one comes complete with a playlist on Spotify, for your listening enjoyment!

Ground Control to Major Tom

You may have noticed I haven’t posted a blog in over six months.

I haven’t written one either, just in case you’re wondering.

In order to produce something worthy of sharing there has to be some creative spark, and inspiration has been in short supply, of late.  Not that I haven’t met fascinating people or heard beautiful bird song (the Long-billed Thrasher is my favorite); not that I haven’t watched the sun rise or the flame dance…but this Border Wall drama has drained me and sent me into a state of diapause…Read more