Be sure to spend a few minutes checking out the Monarch Butterflies during your next round at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course!
Disney’s Oak Trail golf course is a great way to spend a family day full of fun and sunshine on a 9-hole executive course. Oak Trail is known for some challenging shots, both with golf clubs during a round on the course as well as kicks during footgolf outings! While you may have known about this course at the Happiest Place on Turf, did you know there is a hidden gem nestled just off of the 5th tea at Oak Trail: a Monarch Butterfly Habitat?
Related: Why You Should Add A Round at the Happiest Place On Turf to Your Next Walt Disney World Vacation
As golfers approach the 5th tee, they will encounter a haven dedicated to the Monarch butterfly. Here, various species of milkweed have been planted, ensuring that the butterflies have a conducive environment to lay their eggs and for the caterpillars to feast upon. The habitat serves as a visual reminder of the delicate balance of nature and the importance of conservation efforts.
Monarchs are perhaps best known for their incredible migration, where they travel thousands of miles from North America to central Mexico and then back again. They are easily recognizable with their vibrant orange and black wing patterns.
The lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly is just as fascinating as its migration. It goes through four stages: the egg, the larva (caterpillar), the pupa (chrysalis), and the adult butterfly. The milkweed plant plays a critical role in this lifecycle, as it’s the only plant on which Monarch butterflies lay their eggs and the sole food source for Monarch caterpillars.
Disney’s Oak Trail is a 9-hole, par-36 walking course located on the Shades of Green grounds. Designed to be family-friendly, it provides a serene experience for golfers of all ages. The meticulously manicured greens, beautiful natural surroundings, and unique wildlife habitats make it a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the parks.
The course is also part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf, an initiative aimed at promoting ecologically sound land management and conservation of natural resources. This is evident in the Monarch butterfly habitat that the course hosts.
This is, of course, not the only conservation effort that has been put in place by Disney. Since its inception in 1995, The Disney Conservation Fund has been unwavering in its mission to conserve wildlife and inspire a global community to cherish and protect the magic of nature. With more than $120 million directed towards supporting organizations focused on wildlife conservation and community involvement, Disney Conservation has made significant strides in its mission to inspire action and protect our planet.
Disney’s Vero Beach resort is another shining example of Disney’s conservation efforts, as it is the home to one of the most significant nesting grounds of loggerhead sea turtles, accounting for almost 40% of the global loggerhead population. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment, commented recently: “Disney’s commitment to sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach spans 20 years, and we are very proud to have recently watched our 1.5 millionth sea turtle hatchling leave the nest and shuffle its way to the ocean.”
In collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), Disney has played a pivotal role in the “Tour de Turtles” event since 2008. This initiative involves outfitting sea turtles with satellite transmitters and releasing them from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The data collected from these turtles assists researchers and conservationists in making informed decisions about sea turtle conservation and management. Overall, the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) has directed an astounding $5.1 million to bolster global sea turtle conservation efforts.
From the Monarch butterfly habitat just before the 5th tee at the Oak Trail Golf Course to the vast stretches of Vero Beach, Disney’s conservation efforts are both diverse and intensive. It’s a reminder that conservation isn’t just about vast wildernesses or exotic locations; it’s about recognizing and cherishing the magic in every creature, big or small, and ensuring they have a safe and thriving environment for generations to come.
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