DG Visit Schedule

DG Ariel will be fluttering around District 7850 this summer and fall, planting milkweed and sharing the pollinator project!
 
 
Ariel has been coordinating with Club Presidents and leaders to find locations in each community and will be bringing a mobile planting setup with basic gardening tools, as well as seeds to plant and share. We are People of Action, so come prepared to plant and get your hands a little dirty!
 
People are encouraged to join for other clubs' meetings and projects as part of this year's Club Hopping Challenge, but please note that not all visits will be plantings and some locations may shift. Check with the Club or Ariel for specific details and we'll try to keep this page as updated as possible.
 
 

Club Visit Dates (as of 7/9/2026)

 
Yes Randolph Sunrise Randolph, VT Randolph Firestation Tuesday, July 14, 2026 7:00 AM
Yes Barre Barre, VT Aldrich Public Library Wednesday, July 15, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes Northfield & Central Vermont Northfield, VT United Methodist Church Wednesday, July 15, 2026 6:00 PM
Yes Cambridge Area Cambridge, VT Peter A. Krusch Nature Preserve Thursday, July 16, 2026 7:00 AM
Yes Mad River Valley Waitsfield, VT American Flatbread at Lareau Farm Thursday, July 16, 2026 5:00 PM
Yes Montpelier Montpelier, VT Capitol Plaza Hotel Monday, July 20, 2026 12:15 PM
Yes Middlebury Middlebury, VT Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing Wednesday, July 22, 2026 8:15 AM
  Lyndonville Lyndonville, VT First Congregational Wednesday, July 29, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes South Burlington South Burlington, VT South Burlington Library & City Hall Thursday, July 30, 2026 7:30 AM
Yes St. Albans St. Albans, VT Collins Perley Sports & Fitness Center Tuesday, August 04, 2026 5:00 pm
Yes Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Shelburne, VT Shelburne United Methodist Church Wednesday, August 05, 2026 7:30 AM
Yes Essex Essex, VT The Essex Wednesday, August 05, 2026 12:10 PM
Yes Colchester-Milton Colchester, VT McGillicuddy's Colchester Thursday, August 06, 2026 11:30 AM
Yes Williston-Richmond Williston, VT Fellowship Hall, Williston Federated Church Thursday, August 06, 2026 7:15 AM
Yes St. Johnsbury St. Johnsbury, VT   Monday, August 10, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes Vergennes Vergennes, VT Strong House Inn Tuesday, August 11, 2026 7:45 AM
Yes Stowe Trapp Family Lodge; Stowe, VT Trapp Family Lodge Thursday, August 13, 2026 6:30 PM
Yes Ossipee Ossipee, NH River's Edge Grill Monday, August 17, 2026 5:30 PM
Yes Wolfeboro Wolfeboro, NH Androscoggin Valley Hospital Monday, August 17, 2026 6:00 PM
Yes Newport Newport, VT Eastside Restaurant Tuesday, August 18, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes Drummondville Drummondville, QC Le Dauphin Friday, August 21, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes Drummondville Malouin Drummondville, QC Varies Friday, August 21, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, QC Restaurant Mikes Tuesday, August 25, 2026 7:30 AM
Yes Littleton Littleton, NH   Wednesday, August 26, 2026 12:15 PM
Yes Plymouth Plymouth, NH Common Man Inn Wednesday, August 26, 2026 7:00 AM
  Bristol Bristol, NH Minot-Sleeper Library Thursday, August 27, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes North Conway North Conway, NH Mineral Springs Café, at Kennett HS Thursday, August 27, 2026 7:30 AM
Yes Lancaster Lancaster, NH Great North Woods Welcome Ctr/White Mtns Regional H.S. Tuesday, September 01, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes Lincoln-Woodstock Lincoln, NH Woodstock Station Wednesday, September 02, 2026 7:00 AM
Yes Lebanon Lebanon, NH Dwinell Room at Alice Peck Day (APD) Hosp Thursday, September 03, 2026 11:30 AM
Yes Hanover Hanover, NH   Wednesday, September 09, 2026 12:00 PM
Yes Kingdom Impact St. Johnsbury, VT   Thursday, September 10, 2026 5:30 PM
  Randolph Randolph, VT   Thursday, September 10, 2026 12:00 PM
  Gamers for Good Barre, VT   Tuesday, September 29, 2026 6:00 PM
  Burlington Burlington, VT HULA Lakeside Center TBA 4:30 PM
  Waterbury Waterbury, VT Waterbury Sr Center TBA 7:30 AM
  White Mountain Berlin, NH Williston Federated Church TBA 12:00 PM
 

Outdoor Planting Tips & FAQs for Common Milkweed

 

  • What type of soil or environment is best? Milkweed prefers drier or well-draining soils in sunny or mostly sunny areas.

  • What are the planting instructions? Clear the area and prep the soil, then scatter seeds about ¼”-½” apart and cover with ¼” soil. Plant at least a dozen seeds per patch. Do not cover with mulch, straw, or compost; the seeds need sunlight through the thin soil layer.

  • How do you care for them after planting? Keep the area well-watered or monitor rainfall until the plant is established. Once established, milkweed becomes hearty and drought-resistant.

  • When do you plant milkweed? Milkweed has two main planting windows: early season and late season. Milkweed planted early in the season should get established that summer, whereas milkweed planted in the fall will undergo a cold stratification process over the winter that helps get it started come spring.

  • How big of an area is needed? While the minimum recommended is at least a dozen plants, more is better, as the monarchs prefer a cluster to draw them in. For a smaller planting area, something like a fenceline works well. For bigger areas, consider adding other native pollinator plants in addition to milkweed for biodiversity.

  • Who else can join? Anyone and everyone! While the exact agenda will vary by location and any partners involved, I encourage clubs to invite the public and use this event as an opportunity to show off Rotarians in action! Bring the family, bring local conservation organizations, bring the press, bring potential Rotarians or whoever else you’d like.

  • What will happen during the event? I will share a bit about the milkweed project and why the plant is so important to monarch butterflies and caterpillars, followed by the planting itself. If the soil is prepped in advance, the planting likely will not take the full hour, so the remaining time can be tailored to whatever works best for the club and expected attendees. Some potential ideas include:

    • Time for any partners of the project (i.e., the landowners, local conservation orgs) to share a bit about themselves and their work

    • Making milkweed seed balls (also a rainy day option if the weather doesn’t cooperate)

    • Play the Monarch Migration Game (think real-life Oregon Trail, good for kids of all ages, including kids at heart!)

    • Monarch and/or pollinator-themed crafts (best with families, especially younger kids)

  • What else? Take this idea and make it your own within your club and community! My primary intention is simply to plant this critical food and habitat source for monarchs around District 7850; anything beyond that is up to you. Expand the area/scope and plant more than just milkweed! Have a few planting locations in your area, especially for clubs that cover a few towns! Involve the local Parks & Rec orgs, schools, conservation and garden groups, or just locals who may like the project! Let me know what you’re thinking and we’ll work together to make it a fun and successful event.