A Unique Gathering of Butterflyweed Seeds and Nature Walk at the Guggenheim Preserve

Summer flowering Butterflyweed in neon orange (left)                       Fall gives way to goldenrods in yellow and little bluestem grass in purple

Date and Time: Thursday, September 11th, 3:00pm to 4:30pm.

Meeting Location: The Dead end of Fairfield Ave. Port Washington, NY, 11050

Jointly Hosted by: The Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI) and the Port Washington Biodiversity Coalition

Come with family and friends to a unique event that combines seed collection with a guided nature walk! Together we’ll help protect the genetic diversity of the regionally uncommon butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa)—the sole host plant of the critically imperiled Monarch butterfly (that we will see, in abundance). Along the way, we’ll discover the fascinating lives of plants, insects, and migratory birds within this 9-acre meadow and 7-acre forest, and see what makes it such a special place.

We will also honor the legacy of PW Green 501(c)(3), which for over 20 years worked to protect and maintain the Preserve through mowing and to host educational walks for Port Washington Public School classes. PW Green disbanded in early 2025, and stewardship of the Preserve has now been passed to ReWild Long Island 501(c)(3).

The seed collection will be led by biologist Greg Lowenthal, President of the Long Island Native Plant Initiative. Prior to seed collection will be a nature walk led by David Jakim, leader of New York Wild Walks, member of Transition Town Port Washington, the Port Washington Biodiversity Coalition, and former member of PW Green.