On Saturday evening July 15th, members of the Syosset branch of AYLUS participated in an ice cream social event at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve. This event was hosted to appreciate the consistent efforts made by volunteers to saving the Baltimore checkerspot butterflies. Caumsett Park contains the only breeding spot of Baltimore checkerspot butterflies (a threatened species) in all of Long Island. Within the past year, the population of the butterfly increased to 1,623 with the help of volunteers. Volunteers planted white plantains and turtleheads which are plants that butterflies almost exclusively feed on. From the initial population of 1,410 adult Baltimore checkered butterflies last year to the number it is now–1,623– AYLUS members have made an immense improvement to maintaining the butterflies’ population.
Members (each one 2 h )who participated are:
Thea Chen, Xihan Zhang, Xiye Zhang, Suiying Li, Suiwai Li, Aaron Wong.
