Help rare butterflies
The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly is one of Australia’s largest and most beautiful butterflies, and it is in trouble.
It is threatened by climate change, loss of habitat, and a rogue vine that poisons the larvae. It addition to al that, the Birdwing Vine that hosts the larvae has become extinct from two-thirds of its original range.
In an effort to bring back the butterfly, the CSIRO has funded the planting of the vine at Modanville and Grafton and encouraging it to be planted by concerned gardeners in northern NSW and Queensland.
Rainforest Rescue and the Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network are hosting community workshop on Sunday, March 13, where butterfly experts will tell the fascinating life history of the Birdwing butterfly; introduce you to the Birdwing Vine and rogue look-alike plants; show you how to grow Birdwing vines for gardens and in revegetation and teach how to record and map butterfly habitats and sightings.
The workshop will be held at the Byron Community College in Mullumbimby from 9am to 4pm. The cost is $10, which includes morning tea and a light lunch, a comprehensive information booklet and a Birdwing Vine to get you started. Bookings are essential on 6684 3374.
