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I hope this finds you well and enjoying the heart of the spring season. Perhaps you were fortunate enough to experience the emergence of Brood XIX? It's been cicada central here at Backyard Butterflies thanks to the old oaks on the property.
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This month getting the newsletter out has been delayed due to the frenzy of our Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser. John and I have put in long days with processing orders and preparing for the weekend sales. We are truly thankful for the volunteer helpers who have worked behind the scenes to make our plant sale successful. Many thanks to Pat O'Reilly, Barb Guidos, Ellen Brown, Tammy Dorfman, and the many newcomers!
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Though the Plant Sale eats up a lot of our time this month, we have been kindling the fires of upcoming events for June and July. The peak season for mothing is nigh and we're more than ready to turn on the lights and spend the evening communing with the moths. We have multiple events -- we hope you will join us for one or more!
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If moths aren't quite your jam, join us for one of the first NABA Butterfly counts on Tuesday, June 11 at Weymouth Woods SP. Additional NABA Butterfly counts will be coming up in August, which is about 2 weeks from now, give or take a month or two.
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DON'T MISS OUT!
We are halfway through our Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser! We still have 3,026 plants available to take home!
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We will be open Memorial Day weekend on Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.
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All in-person sale dates are rain or shine.
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Revenue from the plant sale funds our programs and events.
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New Plants Available at Weekend Sale
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The Moth Crawl
Our partners for the 2024 Hillsborough Moth Crawl include Hillsborough Garden Club, North Carolina Entomological Society, and Spring Forest Community. Each host will have a unique lighting setup and location for you to visit in one night as you "moth crawl" your way across Hillsborough!
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Registration is required due to limited parking space at hosts' locations. Addresses will be provided after registration is submitted. Only weather updates and notifications will be send to those registered. Rain date is scheduled for Saturday, June 8.
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Moth Crawl Merch
We have commemorative Hillsborough Moth Crawl merch available for a limited time only. Last chance to buy is June 2nd.
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Orders are processed and delivered directly to you through Printful and typically arrive within 5 business days. S, M, L, and XL T-shirts are $15. 2XL is $17. 3XL is $19. Shipping fees apply and vary according to number of items purchased.
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iNaturalist Project Contest
Participants of the Hillsborough Moth Crawl may enter the iNaturalist Project Contest for a chance to win the following prizes. The official rules are posted on the Moth Crawl webpage and on the iNaturalist Project page.
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1 Sphingidae of the USA poster
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Rosy Maple Moth plush toy
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8th Annual Open House & Plant Swap
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Learn More About Open House at
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Celebrating the Summer Solstice
Our 8th Annual Open House & Plant Swap is coming up on Saturday, June 15 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Join us for a morning and early afternoon of plant swapping, habitat tours, and learn from local experts about plants, butterflies, and moths!
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No registration or ticketing is required!
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The Open House
You do not need to bring plants to swap to come to the Open House.
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Once a year we open our backyard habitat to the public to show what lovely, crazy things you can grow in your yard to support Lepidoptera life cycles, and how to create a mini ecosystem using keystone and native plants.
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We will have guides to show you around the gardens, or you can stroll on your own to see the plants.
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Free Plant Table
We will have a FREE table of plants during the Open House event. These plants may need a little TLC, or they might be extra that we grew too much of. Either way, these plants are free to take home. We reserve the right to limit how many free plants can be taken per person.
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The Plant Swap
Bring extra plants from your yard to swap and exchange for another. The swap is a 1:1 trade. There is no limit to how many plants you may bring to swap.
What plants are acceptable to bring? Ideally you would bring plants that benefit butterflies and moths or pollinators. We do not accept indoor or house plants, nor any plants on the NC Invasive Non-Native Plants lists.
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Please label your plants with Common Name and/or cultivar (if known), and genus for scientific name. Genus and species is preferred as common names can create confusion.
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Our Open House & Plant Swap is our flagship event of the year. We rely upon our esteemed crew of volunteers to help us make the day the spectacular. Join us for a quick 3 hour shift on Saturday, June 1st!
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Perks: Volunteers will receive a complimentary Backyard Butterflies T-shirt, lunch, discount on plant purchases, beverages, and snacks. Often there are plants leftover and volunteers can adopt these remainders. This year's lunch will be catered by Guasaca and volunteers will have a choice of arepa or bowl with chicken, beef, vegetarian, or vegan options.
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Shift Times
Afternoon: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
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Positions
Assist swappers with labeling plants, creating list of all plants, helping with 1:1 swapping.
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Quick training tutorial to use Zettle, cash transactions.
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Provide education about butterflies and moths, show people butterflies and moths in our habitat.
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Help people find suitable plants for their growing conditions
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General assistant and fill-in for no-shows.
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Show people where to park, etc
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• Free Plant Table Attendant
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Assist people with selecting free plants, monitoring, and reminding people to see the cashier before leaving with free plants.
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Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
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Hillsborough Moth Crawl Volunteers
Moth Crawl Assistants are needed for Saturday, June 1st from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The only requirement is you must love moths. Beverages and snacks will be provided.
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6th Annual Moth Night Volunteers
Moth Night Assistants are needed to help with our annual Moth Night program. Must love moths is the only requirement needed.
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Shift time is 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Beverages and snacks provided.
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Gardening Volunteers
Do you like removing weeds, planting new plants, getting your hands dirty, encountering little critters living in the soil, and early mornings? We have the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!
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Join us Tuesdays mornings from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM May 21st through June 4th or Monday, June 10th, as we prepare for our annual Open House.
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Moth Night at Hawkins House
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Moth Night at Hawkins House
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Old Hardwoods = Awesome Moths!
Susan Montpetit has graciously opened Hawkins House for a free and open to the public Moth Night. Registration is required due to limited parking space.
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The location is ideal for observing moths! The property is at least 20 acres of old hard woods -- the perfect nurseries for hundreds of species of moth caterpillars.
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Don't miss this special opportunity to potentially see some of the more unusual and amazing moths that can be observed in Orange County!
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Support Our Missions
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Your contribution helps us fulfill our missions of providing education, community outreach, and assistance in creating backyard butterfly and moth friendly habitats.
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