Fun and Educational Summer Holidays Butterfly Trail Launches in Selby

Families in Selby Town are invited to embark on an exciting summer adventure with the launch of the Our Zero Selby Summer Holidays Butterfly Trail.

This eco-friendly initiative, running from Saturday 20th July to Sunday 1st September, encourages children and parents to engage in a fun, interactive activity while raising awareness about climate change and the importance of reducing our carbon footprint.

Children will search for butterfly pictures displayed at various local venues, each featuring a letter and a QR code with more information on each butterfly. All of the butterflies featured are Selby residents. Once all the letters are collected, they will complete a special phrase. Completed forms can be submitted for a chance to win a gardening kit.

Every entrant will receive a free packet of wildflower seeds, these can be collected when handing the completed trail sheet in to Community House.

Claire, Our Zero Selby Project Lead from Up for Yorkshire, commented, "We are thrilled to bring this initiative to Selby. It's a fantastic way for families to learn about eco-friendly practices and the significance of decarbonisation while having fun exploring their local area."

Local businesses and organisations, including Selby Abbey, Selby Library, and Cogs Cycles, will host the butterflies. The trail coincides with the Big Butterfly Count, running from 12th July to 4th August, a UK-wide survey to assess the health of our environment simply by counting the number and types of butterflies seen.

For more information, contact Claire at Claire@upforyorkshire.org.uk.

Download the Butterfly Trail sheet.

Be a Zero Hero:

Join Our Zero Selby's Zero Heroes in making a positive impact on the environment! Zero Heroes are community members who take action to reduce their carbon footprint and support sustainability. Zero Heroes spread awareness about Our Zero Selby initiatives and inspire and empower the community to take action against climate change. Learn more about how you can become a Zero Hero here.

To stay informed about the latest Our Zero Selby developments and upcoming events, please sign up for our Newsletter or follow the project on Instagram, Facebook, or X.   

General Tips to Help Butterflies:

Plant Native Wildflowers: Provide nectar sources for adult butterflies.

Grow Caterpillar Host Plants: Specific plants that caterpillars need to feed on.

Avoid Pesticides: Chemicals can harm butterflies at all stages of their life cycle.

Create Butterfly Habitats: Maintain a variety of plants and undisturbed areas for them to live and breed.

Provide Water Sources: Small, shallow dishes of water or damp patches can help butterflies stay hydrated.

Find out more information on how to help butterflies from the Woodland Trust.