UT Tyler University Academy Students Lead Local Conservation Efforts Through Innovative School Project

TYLER, Texas — Nestled at UT University Academy is a budding butterfly garden, driven by the passion of students dedicated to conservation.

Sara Pierson, one of the students, said, “When you think of a butterfly, you picture a monarch. It would be sad for future generations to lose that image.” Her idea took flight as part of the NASA GLOBE Program, inspiring environmental projects worldwide.

Sara’s mother, Amy Pierson, a teacher at the Academy, expressed pride in her daughter’s initiative. After learning about the decline in monarch populations, Sara was motivated to take action. Her efforts have rallied other students to join in the project.

The statistics around monarch butterflies are alarming. Their numbers have plummeted, primarily due to pesticides and habitat loss. In 1997, there were about 1.2 million monarchs during the overwintering season. Fast forward to 2023, and there were only 233,394— a stark contrast to just 9,119 last year, according to the Xerces Society.

Sofia Garcia, another student on the team, emphasized their importance. “Monarchs are crucial pollinators,” she said. The loss of these butterflies can ripple through the ecosystem, affecting food sources for humans and wildlife alike.

While the garden is still in progress, finding native milkweed—a vital plant for monarchs—has proven challenging. “We’re having a hard time sourcing it locally,” Amy noted.

The goal is for the garden to grow and evolve, with hopes that future students will further develop it. “I want my classmates to keep this going,” Sara shared. “One day, I’d love to come back and see how much it’s grown.”

This project isn’t just about butterflies; it’s a learning tool for all grades. The students are also looking into ways to support bee populations, recognizing the vital role these pollinators play in our ecosystem.

Efforts like this reflect a growing trend among young people to engage in environmental issues. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, over 70% of young adults believe climate change is a major threat, and local initiatives like this highlight their commitment to making a difference.

As these students work together, they are planting the seeds for a greener future, one butterfly at a time.



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