Ryall, M. E. (26 September 2007). Butterfly habitat gains a few more volunteers. Washburn County Register, p. 16.

Butterfly habitat gains a few more volunteers

By Mary Ellen Ryall

SHELL LAKE - On Sept. 21, five more Northwest Passage students came to help eradicate spotted knapweed within the monarch butterfly habitat. They came prepared with gloves and trash bags. After working for an hour, Tyler Dhren observed, "This is a full-time job." He's right; we're going to have to keep ahead of the noxious weed on a continuous basis during growing season.

Andre Demers commented that he helps his family on the farm in Chippewa Falls. He recognized the spotted knapweed because he helps remove the invasive species from his own yard. He mentioned that he enjoys visiting his uncle, Rick Bresina, of Jim Falls. Demers helps raise monarch butterflies in the summer when he visits his uncle. He is quite a knowledgeable young man. He picked up a wolf spider and showed it to me. Believe me, I am no spider expert! Afterwards, he gently placed the spider back in the native grasses where he found it.

The boys worked for an hour before we took a break at the Lions Club shelter. They enjoyed fresh pumpkin bread, lemon cake and apple juice. Bob Stariha, fellow resident of Lakeland Manor, was kind enough to transport the refreshments to the site. After fueling up, the students went back to work for another stretch. Then the boys got back in the van with their teacher/driver, Christian Lindquist, and they whisked me home before heading back to Webb Lake. Gratitude is extended to Northwest Passage for helping to create a habitat for the monarch butterfly.