STEP will be participating in the Annual Master Garden Tour which will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008.  This is the first time that a school has been honored to participate.  The time is 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M., so mark your calendar to come see the Chrysalis Conservation Courtyard at Hilton Head Island High School. STEP members have created the Chrysalis Conservation Courtyard to help not only to promote protection of endangered butterflies, but to share knowledge with other young people about ways to become responsible stewards of the environment.

STEP members will be on hand to offer home-made lemonade and cookies and to share with you the amazing transformation of Chrysalis Conservation Courtyard.

Summertime has arrived!  STEP is here to help you enjoy the simple pleasures of the season. You can get a close-up view of one of life’s most amazing mysteries by watching a caterpillar morph into a chrysalis and then become a butterfly. Make a butterfly house out of a half gallon orange juice carton. It’s easy and fun.

• First wash container very well and leave off cap.
• Cut a 3 inch hole in each of the four sides.
• Cover the top and side holes with mesh and tape into place.
• Now put some fresh parsley, dill, or milkweed inside the carton.
• Place a cotton ball dipped in sugar water also inside.
• Now go search plants and bushes for a caterpillar and give it fresh leaves and water everyday.
• When you find your caterpillar give it some of the same kind of leaves that you find it on.
• Many butterflies are endangered. Share your winged treasure with family and friends then set it free when it has morphed.

STEP will be sharing how to make your own butterfly garden in upcoming articles this summer. In the meantime enjoy being a responsible and caring steward of our planet by protecting butterfly habitats in your neighborhood.