Jets are not only things flying at NAS Kingsville

Photo By Rod Hafemeister | the native plants in the NAS Kingsville pollinator garden serve as food sources for dozens of species of butterflies and other insects native to South Texas.  

KINGAVILLE, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

09.17.2020

Story by Rod Hafemeister 

Naval Air Station Kingsville

Butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds are regular visitors to a pollinator garden on NAS Kingsville.
The garden was built by air station volunteers in August 2019 behind the Community Recreation center near the RV Park.
The project was the inspiration of Abigail Rosenberg, who had recently become the public works natural resource manager, with help from the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas.
“They said just build it and they will come,” Rosenberg said. “And they have!
“I’m very happy with the results.”
The garden was specifically designed to attract butterflies, who act as pollinators for the specific species of plants.
One of the most common butterflies is the Queen, a cousin of the Monarch that is abundant in South Texas. It’s common to see dozens of them flitting about the garden.
Other species come and go; some not common to South Texas stop over on their spring and fall migrations.
The plants also attract the occasional bee and even some hummingbird, all seeking some nectar from the flowers.
South Texas, and in particular the Lower Rio Grande Valley, plays host to more than 300 species of butterflies – almost 40 percent of the more than 700 species of butterflies that can be found in the United States.
Working from a $2,500 budget, volunteers planted five types of trees, 18 varieties of shrubs and plants, and four types of groundcover indigenous to Texas.
Using native species is the best way to establish the gardens and provides them the best chance to survive and thrive, Rosenberg said.
There was a near disaster earlier this year.
“Someone sprayed and killed half the garden in February,” Rosenberg said.
“Gill's Nursery was kind and provided us with a considerable discount to purchase replacements – and they held the order for several weeks.”
Rather than weed killers, the proper way to remove unwanted plants – weeds that don’t attract butterflies – is the old-fashioned, labor intensive way.
Rosenberg said she is looking for volunteers
“You have to pull them out by hand,” she said.
And other work needs to be done – soon.
Unlike other species of butterfly, which are not known to migrate, Monarch butterflies do.
Eastern Monarchs spend October to late March in several mountain areas in Mexico. And their migratory patterns take them through our region of South Texas.
“Now is the critical time for pruning and preparing for the migration,” Rosenberg said.
Beyond the immediate needs, Rosenberg has more plans.
She’s looking to expand elsewhere on the base using native wildflowers.
“We have to find the right locations.” She said.

(A version of this story appeared in the Sept. 17, 2020, edition of the Kingsville Record.)

• Date Taken: 09.17.2020
• Date Posted: 09.21.2020 16:22
• Story ID: 378306
• Location: KINGAVILLE, TEXAS, US