Restoration of Ann Odell Butterfly Garden at Hubbard Lodge

Clarence Fahnestock State Park, located in New York’s Hudson River Valley, spans over 15,000 acres and welcomes an estimated 300,000 visitors annually. On its western edge lies the Ann Odell Butterfly Garden, a 19,000-square-foot space adjacent to Hubbard Lodge, a hub for trail access and events. Originally donated in 2003 by Ralph Odell—a respected conservationist and community leader—the garden honors his late wife Ann, an art teacher and avid gardener. With monarch butterfly populations in steep decline and the garden now overrun by invasive species, the Philipstown Garden Club, in collaboration with the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society and Friends of Fahnestock, began restoration efforts in 2023. Initial work has focused on invasive removal with assistance from conservation professionals, including Brian Rubino, a former club intern now working at the park. Native planting, approved by state environmental staff, will follow using non-chemical methods.

Funding will support the purchase of native plants, seeds, and propagation materials, with sourcing assistance from regional biologists. Mature plugs and propagated seedlings will be used to establish a resilient, low-maintenance landscape. Club members, including provisionals completing their community project, will lead propagation, planting, watering, and ongoing monitoring with journaled updates. Clear, informative signage will be maintained and expanded with metal labels for new plantings. This project builds on the club’s broader pollinator efforts, including the 2020 launch of the township’s Pollinator Pathway, now embraced by 75 property owners stewarding over 1,700 acres. Volunteer groups and park management have pledged full support for the garden’s restoration and long-term care.