The Native Plant Butterfly Trails at Moraine State Park, located near the McDanel Boat Launch, showcase native plants in a natural growing environment.
The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County invite you to explore the quiet natural beauty of our gently looping native plant trails. Come hang out with the frogs and turtles at the small pond filled with native aquatic plants like Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) or relax under the Eastern Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis). Check out our demonstration garden beneath the Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria), which is lovingly surrounded by shade-loving native plants such as Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) and Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Consider replacing mowed grass with native plants like Appalachian sedge (Carex appalachica), along with some leaves and branches to provide shelter and habitat for young pollinators. Reconnect with nature as you silently stroll the path through the peaceful pines. Pull out your phone or camera and record observations of the many bees, birds, butterflies, moths, and other busy pollinators hidden in our prairie pathways. Wind your way through misty wetland trails, exploring the diversity of life in all its forms. While you breathe in the gorgeous lake views at the dock or one of our small bridges, don’t forget to seek out the marvelous wetland-loving natives such as Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillate) and Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata). Or rest a spell at the gazebo with the delightful painted butterfly ceiling.
The Native Plant Butterfly Trail is a demonstration garden for educational purposes that is managed by dedicated Master Gardeners who work to remove destructive invasive plants, maintain the trails, and restore plants that are historically native to Butler County, Pennsylvania. Our goal is to create an appreciation for and understanding of the importance of native plants, the interconnection with pollinators and wildlife, and to encourage their adoption in the home environment. Unlike some traditional garden plantings with pristine plantings and engineered blooms, our plants are not just pretty; they serve a purpose. Native plants provide needed nutrition in the form of pollen and nectar, and native host plants are vital to ensuring future generations of not just butterflies, but a web of interconnecting life. So, in that light, it’s a cause for celebration when leaves are chewed or a plant visited by hungry pollinators. You are encouraged to stop out and experience for yourself the hidden beauty and variety of flora, fauna, and fungi that the Native Plant and Butterfly Trail and Moraine State Park have to offer.
Location: This hidden gem starts at McDanels Boat Launch on McDanels Road, in the North Shore area of Moraine State Park. From the large brown display board, it’s just a short walk down the North Country Trail. The Native Plant Butterfly Trail has two marked entrances approximately ¼ mile on your right.
The following links highlight some native to Butler County plants that can often bloom seasonally along the NPBT.
The Native Butterfly Trails at Moraine State Park feature a variety of plants that provide support to insects, butterflies, and moths. A summary of featured native plants which bloom in the spring.
The Native Butterfly Trails at Moraine State Park feature a variety of plants which provide support to insects, butterflies, and moths
The Native Butterfly Trails at Moraine State Park feature a variety of plants which provide support to insects, butterflies, and moths.
