Many efforts are underway in the Clarkston area to help the environment and wildlife, and there is work in progress to connect those various efforts.
Local resident Linda Walsh Lapinski collected four bags of milkweed seeds to help butterflies on Sunday. The seeds were collected from The Preserve, the green burial area at All Saints Cemetery in Waterford.
Lapinski will donate the seeds to local schools for student projects, as well as give some of those seeds to local residents who wish to plant milkweed on their property.
Milkweed is important to the Monarch Butterfly, a distressed species. Butterflies lay their eggs on the plant and depend on it as a food source.
Experts say the species has faced a 90 percent decline over the last 25 years because of destruction of habitat and other causes.
The seeds are intended to be used in a project that combines seeds with potting soil, clay and water.
The seed ball effort, often referred to as “guerrilla gardening,” addresses many concerns when planting seeds.
The balls help conserve moisture and protect the seeds until germination causes the ball to break apart. Balls can be made to include different types of seeds and they are placed into the ground often with a push of the thumb.
This time of year is a perfect time to collect the seeds, but it’s also time to quickly get the seeds planted.
Lapinski will deliver the seeds to Oakland Technical Center to donate to the Landscape Technology Program.
Lapinski is well known in the community for her work fighting invasive species, including Phragmites.
“I am excited about the newest effort in the community to help butterflies,” she said.
Donations of clay and potting soil are needed.
If you are a teacher who would like to plant milkweed, if you can donate clay or potting soil, or you would like to join the movement, please call 313-740-8071.