Planting for Butterflies

Some of the Planting for Butterflies event participants in front of one of the newly planted plots on the UQ St Lucia revegetation area.
Planting for Butterflies is an initiative of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) UQ Brisbane chapter and the Possingham Lab, and supported by the UQ Sustainability Office and Property & Facilities Division, to systematically test the success of planting native fauna to benefit butterfly species on the UQ St Lucia campus. Planting plots have been established across the UQ St Lucia restoration area and these areas and accompanying control plots will be monitored over time to determine the relationship between planting efforts and butterfly abundance. The project forms part of the larger ongoing interest of SCB UQ Brisbane to promote biodiversity within southeast Queensland and provide opportunities for its members to actively contribute to on-ground efforts aimed at restoring native habitat and species. The project recently kicked off with an initial planting event made possible with support from the Society for Conservation Biology Oceania and the UQ Student Employability Centre. Volunteer attendees planted ~600 native plants known to attract native butterflies within the restoration area. Expert speakers discussed the importance of restoration efforts in urban settings and introduced participants to Queensland’s butterfly fauna and conservation issues facing Queensland’s butterflies.  Many thanks to all involved for kicking off the project in style!
Prof Hugh Possingham discusses the importance of restoration at the Planting for Butterflies event.
A native butterfly found on one of the newly-purchased plants at the Planting for Butterflies event.