What I learned this week, April 30, 2021

Woman writing in a Moleskine Notebook, Wichita, Kansas

The Power of Writing by Hand

HDR Caterpillar – will grown into a monarch

Here’s where to see groups of monarch butterflies in Richardson

Kaleidoscopes (yes that’s the official term for a group of butterflies) of monarchs are continuing to make their annual spring migration from Mexico to North Texas this month and Richardson’s five dedicated butterfly gardens where you can view them.

The city’s butterfly gardens are located in the Durham, Collins, Berkner, Yale and Prairie Creek parks. Butterfly-friendly plants are also found in the landscaping of CityLine and Fox Creek parks.

Despite the harsh winter weather in February, the plants are flourishing, the city said in a prepared statement.

Richardson participates in the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, which is designed to help preserve the orange-and-black winged beauties. Pledge communities commit to create habitat for the monarch butterfly and other pollinators, and to educate residents about how they can make a difference at home, the city said.

Richardson joined the program in 2015 and since then the parks and recreation department has planted butterfly-friendly native plants in all new parks.