Over 1,500 Grande Prairie area students raise and release butterflies thanks to International Paper Foundation

Jun 17, 2023 | 10:00 AM

Butterflies have been released into the world thanks to elementary students at 40 area schools in the public, catholic, county, and french school districts.

Schools received butterfly kits, containing larvae of the Painted Lady species on May 17, donated by the International Paper Foundation. The company gave over 1,500 students the opportunity to learn hands-on how butterflies undergo metamorphosis.

Students in Grades 2 and 3 fed the butterflies once they hatched for about a week and released them into the wild.

The Painted Lady species are native to Canada and the larvae were sourced from an Ontario-run family business; Butterflies and Roses.

2023 marks the third year the Grande Prairie International Paper Mill has donated the butterfly kits.

Grande Prairie Mill Manager, Lyman Rorem said in a news release; “We are committed to strengthening our people, are dedicated to the communities where we live and work and aim to be responsible stewards of our planet. We are excited to offer this learning experience to the students in our area and we hope it inspires a curiosity to learn more and respect for our planet.”

The company supplies butterfly kits throughout communities across North America to give children the opportunity to gain an appreciation and have stewardship of nature.

Sadie & Stevie Samson – Daughters of Jane Fudge, an employee at International paper in Grande Prairie

by Erika Rolling