According to new data from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, more than half of butterfly species across the UK are in long-term decline. Learners are playing their part to help boost the numbers.
Every year at Regent College, learners take part in a butterfly conservation project. They are engaged in the full life cycle of a butterfly and enjoy seeing and learning about the process from larvae, caterpillars, and chrysalis to butterflies.
From larvae to butterflies, the process takes just over four weeks. Learners feed the caterpillars nettles, which are grown in the college’s sensory garden. Once fully grown adult butterflies, they are released into freedom from the garden.
Learners are always amazed at how the little caterpillars develop into adult butterflies. “It really is magic!” said one learner.
The butterfly conservation project forms part of the volunteering strand of Duke of Edinburgh sessions and functional skills learning at Regent College.
“The butterfly conservation project is something that learners have been involved in for a number of years. It’s something that they are really engaged in. In addition to learning about the fascinating life cycle of these beautiful creatures, it’s great that we can help to boost the population numbers too.”
