The Butterfly Garden

No butterflies here
today, but a nursery 
for Canada geese!

~ carliewired

We have Jack and Bar Gregson to thank for much of what I hold as beautiful and treasured in my city. I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely couple when I first moved here some 40+ years ago. Mr. Gregson, an accomplished entomologist with the Canadian Department of Agriculture, and Barbara Claxton, a nurse at Tranquille, met and married here in Kamloops. Together, they went on to raise five children, travelled extensively with his work in science and created a heritage garden of their own. 

Mr. Gregson was a naturalist, environmentalist, a photographer, a painter, musician and poet. He founded the Kamloops Outdoor Club (1936), the Kamloops and District Garden Club (1950) and the Kamloops Naturalist Club (1970). Mr. Gregson won many awards as an outspoken environmental advocate. He has left a tremendous legacy for his 70 years in Kamloops. Mr. Gregson passed away in 2006 at the age of 96.

Mr. Gregson was instrumental in creating a permanent wetland on the McArthur Island slough back in the 1960s. We can all enjoy this space year round on the island's north side. The portion set out as the Butterfly Garden now bears the family name as well. 

I was here this morning to release my quilted heart #31. I've left it on a specimen tree beside the Rivers Trail running by the Butterfly Garden. This particular tree has been damaged by beavers. I attached the heart to the wire skirting wrapped around the trunk. The geese are using this area as their nursery. The garden is just coming on with its perennial flowers and wild roses. 

Damp weather promised for most of this week. We're hoping for a high of 23 C today. It was down to 11 C overnight.