Backyard Butterflies, Inc
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Fellow Backyard Butterfliers,
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John and I hope this finds you as well as to be expected given the circumstances. I’ve been contemplating what to write for a newsletter for many days. Before COVID-19 my task was easy. I’d make a big headline announcing the upcoming Duke Gardens Spring Plant Sale and tell you all about the plants we have ready, and I’d feature the first butterfly walks of the year with links to reserve your space.
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Without fanfare I will tell you that the Duke Gardens Spring Plant Sale was cancelled. It is our biggest event of the year for fundraising and community outreach. Were we ever ready for it! We were determined not to sell out of milkweed in the first hour. I was looking forward to seeing some of you and meeting new people to spread our passion and joy for butterflies and creating habitats for them. Sigh. Next year, I hope?
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With modest enthusiasm I will tell you that prior to the social distancing measures being implemented I had started to create an online store for this year’s production of plants. Our plan is to launch the store on March 27th and we’ll keep it open until October 3rd, or until we sell out of plants. Our greenhouse is stocked with almost 2500 plants, over 1000 of which are milkweeds! Many are flowering, ready to go to their forever homes.
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I'm mindful that because of so many unknowns priorities have changed and that it may not be on your radar or within your budget to give us your patronage and support. (I'd be thrilled if “panic buying” milkweed was a thing like it is for toilet paper.) I want you to know that any support or patronage you are able to give will be greatly appreciated by us and the butterflies! Please reach out to us if you or someone you know needs Caterpillar Support. I've a feeling it's going to be a good year for butterflies.
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Peace, love, and butterflies,
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Online Plant Shop Launching March 27th!
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Our new online plant shop contains all of our production of host and nectar plants for 2020. When a particular plant is sold out it will not be restocked until next year.
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All plants must be ordered through our website even if you are paying by check or cash. Simply select COP during check-out. You will be able to schedule either pick-up or if you live within 30 miles of our location you can schedule a delivery. You can check out as a guest but we encourage you to create an account with us so that you can access your My Account page to review your orders.
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If you have any questions or the website isn't working correctly, please email us! We're here to help. Please note that we are still working on our store front and if you click through to preview the shop products, features, and layouts are subject to change. Please do not place any orders until the launch date of March 27th.
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Nectar Annuals & Biennials
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Any plant in The Nectar Collection
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Ready to create or add to your butterfly habitat?
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To celebrate the opening of our online plant store use the code below to take 15% off your order. No minimum purchase required. Discount ends on April 3, 2020.
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Upcoming Events
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Spring Butterfly Walks
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It is our hope that we will still be able to conduct butterfly walks, attend community outreach events, and host caterpillar raising workshops this year. Please RSVP for those events you wish to attend to receive updates and notices about cancellation.
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Sightings of the Brown Elfin have already been reported at the mountain! It may be that the proposed date of April 5th will be too late to observe them. If you don't want to miss them this year you can contact us for a personal guided walk.
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Annual Brown Elfin Butterfly Walk
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Sunday, April 5 at Occoneechee Mtn SP from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Limit 10 spaces.
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