Butterfly gardens and their importance
Butterflies are flower pollinators, making them important
in the health of our ecosystem. Through pollination, seeds are created. The
more seeds are made, the more plants, flowers and trees will grow.
With more greens around, people will enjoy cleaner air, will
feel de-stressed and will be healthier.
Studies have shown that the presence of plants in your
area reduces your chances of getting a headache and other ailments.
More fruit-bearing plants and trees also mean food
security.
Thus, the plan of the Leganes Garden Club to put up a butterfly
garden and lovebirds aviary is a welcome development.
The Leganes Garden Club showroom
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The club was organized in 2001 under the leadership of
Nonito Gulmatico. In 2006, it was registered with the Security and Exchange
Commission (SEC). Currently, the president is Araceli Sulla Tolones.
Tolones said the club conducts trainings in flower
arrangement, orchid production, ornamental plants propagation, landscaping and
making dish gardens. Its objectives include the promotion of harmonious
relationships among the members, empower the growers and develop awareness in
community involvement.
The club’s showroom, which is located at the Leganes
Plaza, consists of flower and plant stalls of the members. It stands on a 500
square-meter lot awarded by the municipal government.
Recently, the Local Support Program for Local Economic
Development and the Department of Interior and Local Government, with the
support of the Canadian Urban Institute and other organizations, awarded the
Leganes Garden Club P120,000 for its butterfly and aviary project.
Tolones revealed that students visit the club’s showroom daily
and learn about flower arrangements and gardening.
To make the tourists’ visit to the Leganes Garden Club
more worthwhile, Tolones said they plan to provide them with ready-to-buy and
easy-to-carry souvenirs. They will also venture into dish gardening and proper
packaging. This will be taken from the P120,000 grant.
From the grant, the Leganes Garden Club will also enhance
the site. The bamboo fences and gate will be replaced with steel. To protect
the butterflies, the whole area will be enclosed in a green net.
Tolones proposes that the aviary be constructed at the
top of the nearby waiting shed.
Araceli Tolones,
president of the Leganes Garden Club
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The improved space for the butterflies and the lovebirds
will serve as an educational observatory for tourists.
Tolones shared, “To make their visit fun, the tourists
will be taught how to make dish gardens. They will just buy the materials from
us and they can take their dish gardens home after. This way, we can also raise
funds for the club.”
The butterfly garden and lovebirds aviary are added
attractions in Leganes, which was nominated as one of the tourism sites of
Iloilo Province. It is hailed as a pilgrim site of the devotees of St. Vincent
Ferrer.
Many miracles such as healing from serious illnesses have
been credited to the “palapak” that is held after every mass at the St. Vincent
Ferrer Parish Church./