If you stop by creative hub Watson & Lou at 383 Water Street in downtown Peterborough, you’ll notice a new window display that celebrates the monarch butterfly and other pollinators.
The window display is part of a fundraiser that launched on Wednesday (May 4) to support Monarch Ultra, a local organization that aims to raise awareness for monarch butterflies by organizing long-distance running events.
During May, you can purchase a $10 raffle ticket for a grand prize that includes pollinator-friendly plants, a butterfly house, a monarch painting, a monarch book, and other pollinator-inspired items.
The items for the grand prize, which is valued at $250, were donated by local businesses Anna’s Perennials, Johnston’s Greenhouse, Griffin’s Greenhouses, Avant-Garden Shop, Watson & Lou, and
Bluestreak Records.
One grand prize winner will be announced on Friday, May 20th — just in time for the May long-weekend, so the winner can plant the butterfly-friendly plants in their garden.
The Watson & Lou window display, which was created by members from Monarch Ultra and Peterborough Pollinators, pays tribute to the monarch butterfly.
In a media release, Monarch Ultra co-founder Carlotta James explains the monarch butterfly’s annual migration, which she calls “one of nature’s greatest spectacles,” is at risk of disappearing due to vanishing habitats, extreme weather, and increased use of pesticides.
“I am excited to celebrate the beauty of monarchs by turning Watson & Lou’s store window into a captivating art installation,” James says. “This will also serve as a platform to raise awareness of important issues such as monarch population decline.”
Children are also invited to create their own native flower or pollinator art and drop it off at Watson & Lou, who will then add it to the window display. Every creation that children bring in will count as one entry for the raffle draw.
“Kids care so much about creatures big and small,” says Anna Eidt, co-owner of Watson & Lou. “Through this community engagement project, they can help protect the very special local flowers and pollinators who make Peterborough a beautiful and healthy place to live for us all.”
Raffle tickets can be purchased for $10 each at Watson & Lou or online at www.watsonandlou.com.
For more information about pollinator-friendly gardens, visit peterboroughpollinators.com. For more information about Monarch Ultra, visit www.themonarchultra.com.
