Anyone visiting the Crestwood Library recently may have seen the mesh enclosure next to the circulation desk. That’s the home of Madeline the Monarch Butterfly! She’s been staying with the Crestwood Crew since she emerged from her chrysalis in late August due to an underdeveloped proboscis that wouldn’t allow her to survive in the wild.
Though she isn’t here under favorable circumstances, we are incredibly grateful for Madeline’s presence and the constant joy she’s brought us. Curious patrons have been able to learn more about monarch butterflies, their habitats, and ongoing conservation efforts to bolster their populations. The Crestwood community’s interest in Madeline has extended to a larger interest in our programs about our environment. The Gotham Bat Conservancy’s visit on October 27th was massively popular, with over 30 patrons coming to learn about the vital roles bats play in their local ecosystems and how they can help with citizen science endeavors. There has also been consistent interest in Crestwood’s gardening programs, where we have educated patrons on proper conditions for growing potatoes, radishes, pole beans, garlic, and morning glories.
We are especially thankful for our planet during this Thanksgiving season, remaining mindful that we shouldn’t take any part of it for granted. During Native American Heritage Month, we are reminded of how they value nature and aspire to live in harmony with it. As we celebrate both these occasions, let us remember to give back to our communities and environment.
The City of Yonkers has launched a pilot program for a Community Food Scrap Drop-off Program, and one of the smart bins available for food scrap drop-off. We encourage you to bring your food scraps from your Thanksgiving meal for drop off. Learn more about these bins and how to access them on the City of Yonkers website. You can also learn more about how to register for curbside food scrap collection.
Madeline’s presence at the Crestwood Library is a symbol of hope for the community and environment, so we hope you’ll stop by and visit her for a little inspiration!
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Hanora Woodruff is a Part-Time Clerk and patron of Yonkers Crestwood Library since childhood. She recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Biology and Creative Writing. Her favorite reads at the moment are Sylvia Plath’s poems.
Alison Robles, a Yonkers native, received an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo. She works at the Crestwood Library and is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction, and fantasy.