Pollinator & Wildlife Habitats

Monarch Caterpillar on Milkweed

Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on Milkweed (Asclepias), which is where the butterflies and their caterpillars gain their toxicity.
Wildflower Prairie Site #1

A view of the prairie grasses and wildflowers blooming in early summer.
Pollinator and Native Plant Champion

Dr. Patrick Bell came to give a presentation at the Purcell Multipurpose Center about the importance of preserving pollinators and native plant species. Dr. Bell is a physician and is involved with many convservation groups in Oklahoma, including the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, and Okies for Monarchs.
Wildflower Prairie Site #1

A closeup of the different prairie grasses and wildflowers around Purcell City Lake.
Wildflower Prairie Site #1

An evening view of the wildflower prairie at Purcell City Lake in early fall.
Wildflower Prairie Site #1

Late fall wildflower prairie in bloom, about to go to seed.
Multipurpose Center Wildflower Bed

Dry land wildflower seeds were planted in the brick beds in the Multipurpose Center parking lot to reduce the amout of water and maintenance needed.
Monarch Feeding on Nectar

A Monarch butterfly enjoying nectar from Lantanas and Mexican Zinnias in the Multipurpose Center flowerbed.
Monarch on Native Plants

A Monarch butterfly enjoying nectar from Verbenum and other native wildflower species.
Multipurpose Center Flower Bed

This flowerbed is composed of purchased and donated plants to make a nectar bed for pollinators.

Parks are a wonderful place to play, exercise, socialize, and get back to nature.

At the Purcell Parks Department, we want to provide open safe parks for everyone to play, exercise and socialize. We also want to use conservation practices and provide the open spaces for wildlife to flourish.

There is a balance between well groomed parks and minimally disturbed natural spaces, and the Purcell Parks Department has been working towards achieving both of these goals. Through partnerships with conservation organizations in Oklahoma and all over the country, we are shaping plans to bring wildlife areas and parks together for everyone to enjoy.

Through the Purcell Pollinator & Wildlife Project, our goals are:

To protect current wildlife and to attract new wildlife in the designated areas around the City of Purcell.
Encourage wildlife enthusiasts to visit and enjoy Purcell City Lake and other areas.
Educating the public by example of signage and best practices.
Reduce fuel, chemical usage, maintenance costs, and time allocation for mowing and upkeep of the designated areas.

Why manage for pollinators?

Native pollinators are free, and their numbers can be increased in simple and inexpesive ways.
Pollinators help to keep the ecosystem healthy.
Habitats used by pollinators are attractive to other beneficial insects.
Practices that benefit pollinators also produce wildlife habitat, reduce soil erosion, and improve water quality.

Related Documents:

Follow this link for a map of our the managed mowing areas plan at Purcell City Lake.

Follow this link to read our Purcell Pollinator and Wildlife Project 2020 Guidelines

Follow this link to learn how to plant your own pollinator habitat!

Groups, organizations, and individuals we are partnering with and learning from:

Okies for Monarchs - Oklahoma Nature Conservancy - Natural Resource Conservation Service of Oklahoma

McClain County Conservation District - National Wildlife Federation - Monarch Joint Venture - Xerces Society

Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma - Oklahoma Native Plant Society - Monarch Watch

Monarch Gardens, LLC.

Thank you to Ann Hart, who inspired this project through her work on the Monarch Migration Habitat Expansion Project in 2013