Highway 13 Butterfly Trail connects Missouri communities

RICHMOND, Mo. – Missouri Highway 13 could soon become a living corridor of color, movement and ecological renewal with the Highway 13 Butterfly Trail, says Kathi Mecham, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in horticulture.

Mecham is part of a large team from MU Extension and other organizations dedicated to establishing pollinator plots along the 300 miles of scenic highway from Bethany to Branson. “This route is the backbone of an ambitious effort to restore struggling pollinator populations while strengthening rural communities,” says Mecham.

Missouri Highway 13 traverses some of the state’s most diverse landscapes, from fertile floodplains and rolling farmland to prairie remnants and rugged Ozark hills. Recognizing the ecological and economic potential of this corridor, communities and partners have come together to establish the trail through a coordinated initiative that links towns through a shared commitment to pollinator habitat and nature-based tourism.

The vision began in Hamilton, where residents identified an underutilized 10-acre tract along a natural migration corridor supporting more than 20 butterfly species. What began as a local butterfly park concept quickly expanded into a statewide effort: connecting communities along Highway 13 through pollinator habitats that support biodiversity while creating inviting spaces for residents and visitors alike.

MU Extension specialists provide science-based guidance on native plant selection, habitat design and pollinator health, ensuring that projects are both ecologically effective and locally sustainable, Mecham says.

By integrating expertise in horticulture, entomology, agronomy and community economic development, MU Extension helps communities design spaces that not only attract pollinators but also educate the public and support local economies.

This work comes at a critical time, she says. Populations of pollinators — including butterflies, bees and other essential species — have declined significantly in recent years. Through initiatives like the Butterfly Trail, MU Extension is helping reverse that trend by promoting habitat connectivity at scale.

Plans call for pollinator-friendly habitats within roughly 13 miles on either side of the highway, creating a 26-mile-wide corridor that supports species movement and strengthens ecosystem resilience across the region.

Mecham says the initiative also highlights MU Extension’s ability to work with its valued partners including the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund, Allstate Consulting, The Nature Conservancy, the Missouri Prairie Foundation, the Missouri Department of Tourism, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA, Union Sportsman’s Association, Smithsonian Institute, Missouri Community Betterment and numerous other stakeholders.

Communities along the trail are already embracing the concept. Gallatin has combined art with ecology through a butterfly-themed mural and pollinator garden. Hamilton — already known as Quilt Town, USA — is enhancing its reputation as a destination by adding a butterfly park. From small towns to tourism hubs like Branson, the trail creates new opportunities for economic development while reinforcing a sense of place rooted in Missouri’s natural heritage.

There are five main destinations along the trail: Dunn Ranch in Harrison County, Little Otter Creek/Hamilton Pollinator Haven in Caldwell County, Powell Gardens in Lafayette County, the Springfield Botanical Gardens in Greene County and the Branson Butterfly Palace in Taney County. Collectively, these venues attract more than 500,000 visitors annually.

The Missouri Prairie Foundation also has established five prairie grass sites along the trail: Thoh-dah Prairie, LaPetite Prairie, Polk County Prairie and Schuette Prairie.

As the Highway 13 Butterfly Trail continues to grow, MU Extension will remain a driving force — helping communities plan, plant and sustain pollinator habitats that deliver long-term benefits. Plans include interpretive signage, seasonal programming and digital tools to connect visitors with sites along the trail, expanding both its educational reach and economic impact.

“The Highway 13 Butterfly Trail is poised to demonstrate how restoring pollinators can also revitalize communities — one mile, one habitat and one partnership at a time,” says Mecham.

Grants from the TC Energy Foundation and the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund support the project.

Photo

Monarch butterfly. The 300 miles of scenic highway from Bethany to Branson could become a living corridor of color, movement and ecological renewal with the development of the Highway 13 Butterfly Trail, says Kathi Mecham, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in horticulture. File photo by Abbie Lankitus, University of Missouri.