The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is proud to announce the opening of a new Monarch Waystation on the Bassett High School (BHS) campus made possible through the generous support of Dr. David Jones of Jones & DeShon Orthodontics and Dr. David Jones, Jr. of Roanoke Valley Orthodontics. The nationally certified pollinator habitat will serve as both a vital resource for monarch butterflies and other pollinators and a living outdoor classroom for students.
“We believe in investing in projects that create lasting educational opportunities for young people,” said Dr. David Jones of Jones & DeShon Orthodontics. “This Monarch Waystation gives students a unique chance to learn outside the classroom while gaining a greater appreciation for the natural systems that support our communities. We’re proud to help make that possible.”
Dr. David Jones, Jr. of Roanoke Valley Orthodontics said the project demonstrates the impact local partnerships can have on conservation and education.
“Pollinators play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and food supplies, yet many people never have the opportunity to see that impact up close,” Jones said. “This habitat will allow students to observe those connections firsthand while learning the value of environmental stewardship and community involvement.”
The Monarch Waystation was originally completed and scheduled to be unveiled to students in the Fall of 2025. Unfortunately, deer consumed and destroyed the garden. Rather than rush a replacement, DRBA and BHS chose to wait and develop a plan to deter wildlife and still provide a way for students to easily interact with the space. The garden has now been replanted and is ready to welcome both pollinators and students because early summer is the optimal planting season to ensure long-term success.
Located on the school campus, the Waystation will provide students with opportunities to observe monarch butterflies and other pollinators firsthand, participate in habitat maintenance, collect data and explore environmental science concepts through hands-on learning experiences. Teachers will incorporate the garden into classroom instruction, allowing students to connect lessons in biology, ecology, conservation and environmental stewardship to real-world applications.
The Bassett High School project represents the latest addition to DRBA’s growing network of Monarch Waystations throughout the Dan River watershed. DRBA has established thirteen certified pollinator habitats since 2018 across Virginia and North Carolina helping create critical habitat corridors for monarch butterflies and other pollinators while promoting environmental education and community stewardship.
“These gardens are much more than beautiful landscapes,” said Krista Hodges, DRBA’s Director of Environmental Education, who led the project. “A Monarch Waystation is a commitment to environmental health and education. This project gives students a chance to experience conservation in action. They will be able to see the direct relationship between native plants, pollinators and healthy watersheds and ecosystems while taking ownership of a project that benefits both wildlife and their community.”
Certified Monarch Waystations must meet national criteria established by Monarch Watch, including the use of milkweed species that are essential for monarch caterpillars, nectar-rich flowering plants that support adult butterflies and sustainable maintenance practices. In addition to supporting monarchs, these habitats provide food and shelter for bees, moths and other beneficial insects while helping improve biodiversity.
Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of more than 75 percent of flowering plants, including many crops that support food production. Yet habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change have contributed to significant population declines. Monarch Waystations provide critical refuge for these species helping sustain migration routes and strengthen local ecosystems.
“Having the Monarch Waystation right here at our school transforms learning into an interactive experience,” said Mrs. Caitlin Tatum, Bassett High School, Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor. “Students will develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues in a way that simply isn’t possible from a textbook alone.”
“It’s really cool to have something like this at our school,” said McKenzie Wilson, Rising Senior at Bassett High School. “We’ll get to take care of it and learn about butterflies and other pollinators and see how the things we’re studying in class connect to the environment around us.”
Hodges noted that healthy pollinator populations are closely connected to healthy waterways and landscapes.
“We can’t have healthy rivers without healthy landscapes and pollinators are a critical part of that equation,” she said. “Every milkweed plant and nectar flower in this garden contributes to a stronger ecosystem. By involving students directly in this project, we’re helping cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards.”
