World Environment Day is one of the United Nation’s most important days. It is observed on the 5th of June annually and it is a day during which, for over forty years, people from all of the world have advocated and acted for a healthy environment. The day of celebration focuses on raising awareness and taking proper measures to protect our environment. “Recent events, from bush fires in Brazil, the United States, and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa – and now, a global disease pandemic – demonstrate the interdependence of humans and the webs of life in which they exist,” the UN said in a statement. Thus, this day motivates each of us to save and protect our environment and encourages and raises awareness among the masses.
In response to World Environment Day, members of the Sugar Land Branch gathered on June 5 to volunteer at the Sugar Land Memorial Park Butterfly Garden. Since 2019, they have teamed up with the Sugar Land Parks & Recreation Department to build the garden, starting from planting to routine maintenance. Butterflies are attracted to bright flowers and need to feed on nectar. When they do so, they collect pollen and carry it to other plants. This helps fruits, vegetables, and flowers to produce new seeds. The majority of plants need pollinators like bees and butterflies to reproduce. Under the instructions of the park development manager, members identified 4 major types of weeds that have occupied a lot of spaces of planted milkweeds, Texas Star Hibiscus, Texas Redbud, etc. Despite the hot Texas summer with a temperature of nearly 90 degrees, members worked diligently and ended up pulling a huge pile of weeds, leaving the plants more space to grow. In addition, the park has previously set up a water pumping windmill that operates on the reciprocating motion – up and down pushing and pulling on a piston which draws water up out of the well. However, the water can only get to the nearby plants due to the construction. The members used buckets to carry water to further plants, ensuring all the plants have enough hydration under such high temperatures.
Since the blossom of the park garden, not only are bees and caterpillars attracted but also numerous people visit the park every day. After we completely get rid of the weeds, the next step will be focusing on the landscaping design to make the park look even more attractive. The participating members were Nicole Wu, Serena Li, Emma Jiang, and Albon Wu as well as 2 other non-AYLUS volunteers.
