Dedicating Our First Monarch Waystation

Western Monarch Teacher Workshop
April 26, 2025

Register Here

On March 11, the Dirt Girls of NVLA hosted a dedication gathering for their Monarch Waystation, #49,500 in the Monarch Watch registry. Although we registered the planting last November, it took time to organize the event and prepare the participants.

Prior to the event, we got the garden ready: we weeded the butterfly bed and did a few other chores. Accomplishing tasks like this fit right into the four-part Dirt Girls program structure: Opening Circle, Teamwork Challenge, Choice Chores, and Closing Reflection.

On the day of the event, we spent our Opening Circle reflecting on questions. We considered questions our guests might ask and prepared questions we wanted to ask our guests. For example, some of the kids were wondering where the milkweed plants were in the garden. Because the plants were still dormant and not all of the current participants were involved in the planting, they weren’t sure if the plants could grow this year.

During our Teamwork Challenge, trios of participants made a paper chain, emphasizing the core values of teamwork and problem solving. We introduced the paper cutter, first discussing how it works (the handle acts as a lever; the blade slices the paper into strips) and what the important safety precautions are (keep fingers clear of the blade!). After distributing stacks of colorful strips, participants worked together to secure them into interlocking loops. Two problems we solved through teamwork were: how to work in the wind and how to best utilize our (not very sticky) tape.

While the participants worked with the garden educator, Marisol, to put together the longest paper chain they could, I walked to greet our guests and escort them to the garden. We made introductions and then divided into smaller groups. The trios’ Choice Chore was deciding where to lead their guests, taking them on a brief garden tour. Some guests visited the chicken coop, while others examined the milkweed bugs huddled together on the apple tree.

The ‘dedication’ occurred as the Closing Reflection for the session. We made a semi-circle around the Monarch Waystation, said a few words and distributed our paper chain. On the count of three, each person tore one of the loops.

Our action was intended to simulate a ‘ribbon cutting,’ which was the type of ceremony the kids were more familiar with. After a group photo, we dismissed the Dirt Girls participants and had a conversation with our guests.

If you’d like to see the NVLA Monarch Waystation for yourself, please visit us on Saturday, May 17th as part of the Napa RCD Climate Friendly Garden Tour.