George White of Clarkston explains how to plant the butterfly-friendly plants. Photo by Phil Custodio

Butterflies on their migratory journey south have a new place to stop, thanks to Bailey Lake Elementary Junior Girl Scout Troop 70876.
The fourth grade Girl Scouts, Hannah Berndt, Lauren Butcher, Abby Finnerty, Isabelle Henry, Ella Kurmaniak, Caitlin McGivern, Heidi McNamara, Savannah Ryan, Leslie Sell, Athena Tedder, and Sam Verbeek, with leaders Kristine McNamara, Kristine Butcher, and Melanie Berndt, planted the butterfly garden, May 25.
They’re working to have it certified as a Monarch Waystation to help with the butterfly population, which has seen some decline, Kristine McNamara said.
George White of Wojo’s, whose family farm encompasses the land where Bailey Lake resides, stopped by to help.
“With Mr. White and Wojo’s help, the troop will be able to plant specific plants to help the Monarch Butterflies,” McNamara said. “By planting these specific plants it will allow the troop to certify the butterfly garden as a Monarch Waystation. Thank you to Wojo’s for their generous donation and to Mr. White for donating his time and expertise.”
Students and teachers built the Bailey Lake Elementary School Garden in spring of 2016, with six beds maintained by students during the school year and volunteers in summer.
Last year, the Junior Girl Scout troop helped paint and stencil garden tables and donated logs for chairs for outdoor classroom time.
“The tireless hours of many families and faculty who planned, broke ground, constructed, planted, and maintained an awesome learning environment out of a piece of land that has laid empty – such an awesome vision,” McNamara said.
They added three raised flower beds this year, one for the butterfly garden, another for lettuce, and the third for strawberries. A hoop house is also in the works.
“The students tilled the soil, laid the mulch and the compost – manure – and enjoyed every minute,” the scout leader said. “They even had a hand in measuring out the new hoop house and building the three new raised beds.”
– Phil Custodio