How did we get our name?

You may be thinking, why ‘Polygonia’ Foundation? The word ‘Polygonia’ is the genus name for a group of butterflies found within the Anglewings. The Polygonia are also known as “punctuation butterflies”, as many members of the group have markings that look similar to punctuation marks.

The parent organization of the Polygonia Foundation is Butterfly Ridge Butterfly Conservation Center in Rockbridge, Ohio. During the shoulder seasons at Butterfly Ridge (April/May and September/October), the Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) is the most commonly encountered butterfly.

The Eastern Comma is sort of our spirit animal. It actually rides out the harsh winter as an adult butterfly, hunkering down in brush piles for insulation from the cold winds and snow. Then in the spring, as the weather warms, they become active again.

These butterflies are also tree sap and rotten fruit feeders moreso than flower nectar feeders. This means they are commonly found at bait stations, making them very visible to visitors of Butterfly Ridge.

The hope is that by incorporating these brave and sturdy butterflies into our name and logo, our organization will be able to withstand harsh times and be highly visible in butterfly and pollinator conservation efforts. Come along side and be a part of our efforts!