We gratefully accept donations towards the development and maintenance of the garden. Cheques should be made out to "Urquhart Butterfly Garden" and mailed to Joanna Chapman at the address given below. We were previously able to issue tax receipts for donations over $CDN 25.00 through the Town of Dundas. Since municipal amalgamation, we are trying to confirm our status with the City of Hamilton. We cannot at this time guarantee that a tax receipt will be issued for your donation.
Donations should be mailed to:
Joanna Chapman
11 Cross Street
Dundas, Ontario
Canada
L9H 2R3
Butterflies and their larvae are extremely susceptible to poisoning by pesticides, including many "natural" insecticides. Spraying of herbicides in the garden risks destroying the plants on which the butterflies depend. For this reason, the garden is a pesticide-free zone, and the municipality has agreed not to spray in the vicinity. In order to maintain a preponderance of butterfly-friendly plant species, and to ensure the aesthetics of the beds, labour-intensive hand weeding, planting and pruning is necessary. Every week from May to September a group of volunteers gathers in the garden for a "weeding party". You are warmly invited to join us. We meet Tuesday evenings at 5:00 p.m. Bring your favourite weeding tool. Although we meet in most types of weather, to be sure you should call (905-627-5270) or Joanna Chapman before heading out.