Name:
Meagan Welsh

Major:
Biology

Graduation Year:
May 2020

Internship Project:
National Wildlife Federation | Wildlife Habitat Certification | Moth & Butterfly Habitat

Project Goals:

Follow the National Wildlife Foundation’s guidelines to provide a wildlife habitat in the Sustainability Demonstration House’s Yard, specifically native moths and butterflies

Research and implement effective ways to improve the yard as a habitat for wildlife including: food and water sources, cover for wildlife to seek shelter, places for wildlife to raise young, and on-going sustainable practices for maintaining the wildlife garden

Increase the community’s awareness of the threat of dwindling habitat of many species and encourage the community to follow the guidelines provided by the National Wildlife Foundation to help promote a healthy habitat

Provide tangible ways on- and off-campus community members can provide wildlife habitats in their own yards

Project Description:
The focus of this project is to encourage sustainable human-wildlife interaction and promote urban habitat renewal, specifically for native Colorado moth and butterfly species.  Following National Wildlife Federation and Colorado Garden Foundation guidelines, the Sustainability Demonstration House's yard  will be improved to support native pollinators through the planting of a variety flora used as host plants and nectar sources, as as well the implementation of water and "mudding" sources. Educational signage will also be introduced to encourage species monitoring and continual habitat improvement.

What is your favorite part of the Internship program: